Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
14" · 2880×1800 · OLED
Optimal Viewing Distance 36cm
Open in calculator →
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.3" (Better) | 14" |
| Resolution | 2880×1864 (Better) | 2880×1800 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 | 243 (Better) |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm | 36cm (Better) |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° (Better) | 170° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (Better) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 25 ms GTG | 0.2 ms GTG (Better) |
| HDR Certification | None | DisplayHDR True Black 500 |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits (Better) | 400 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits (Better) | 500 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,280 | 1:1,000,000 (Better) |
| Ports | 0x HDMI · 0x DP · USB-C | 1x HDMI · 0x DP · USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W (Better) | 65 W |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% · Adobe RGB 90% (Better) |
| Year | 2024 | 2024 |
Summary
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 has higher pixel density (243 PPI), making it sharper at close range.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 allows sitting closer (36cm) while maintaining retina quality.
The Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 offers a larger 15.3" display for more immersive viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 has 243 PPI compared to 224 PPI for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 requires 36cm vs 39cm for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 to reach retina quality.
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).
Last updated:
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 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 2024 · 243 PPI · 14" · 120 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