Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Framework Laptop 16
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)18in category
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3224 PPI #11
Framework Laptop 16189 PPI #16
189 PPI261 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness18in category
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3600 nits #7
Framework Laptop 16600 nits #7
500 nits1600 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut17in category
Apple MacBook Air 15" M399% #12
Framework Laptop 1697% #16
97%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple MacBook Air 15" M360 Hz
Framework Laptop 16165 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: no visible difference — Both screens exceed the retina threshold at 50cm. The Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 has 19% higher pixel density (224 vs 189 PPI), but this only becomes visible below 39cm.
- Brightness: comparable — Both screens offer similar brightness (500 vs 500 nits SDR). Neither has a meaningful advantage for outdoor use.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Framework Laptop 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2880×1864 | 2560×1600 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 | 189 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm | 46cm |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 97% · Adobe RGB 86% |
| Screen Size | 15.3" | 16" |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Response Time | 25 ms GTG | 9 ms GTG |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,280 | 1:1,500 |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W | 180 W |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 | Framework Laptop 16 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.3" | 16" (Better) |
| Resolution | 2880×1864 (Better) | 2560×1600 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 (Better) | 189 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm (Better) | 46cm |
| Panel Type | IPS | IPS |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 165 Hz (Better) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | FreeSync |
| Response Time | 25 ms GTG | 9 ms GTG (Better) |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,280 | 1:1,500 (Better) |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W | 180 W (Better) |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% (Better) | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 97% · Adobe RGB 86% |
| Year | 2024 | 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or Framework Laptop 16?
The Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 has 224 PPI compared to 189 PPI for the Framework Laptop 16.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 requires 39cm vs 46cm for the Framework Laptop 16 to reach retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 · 225 PPI · 13.6" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 · 225 PPI · 13.6" · 60 Hz
vs Framework Laptop 16 2024 · 189 PPI · 16" · 165 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 2025 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Neo 2026 · 219 PPI · 13" · 60 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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