Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
MacBook Air M4 excels as a portable powerhouse with superior efficiency, delivering up to 18 hours of battery life in a svelte 2.7-pound chassis. Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers sharp 2560x1664 resolution with excellent color accuracy, while the M4 chip with 10-core CPU/GPU handles everyday tasks and creative work effortlessly. Dell XPS 16 targets users needing screen real estate and expandable storage, featuring a larger 16.3-inch display, 512GB base storage (vs 256GB), and Intel Core Ultra 7 flexibility. However, at 4.7 pounds with 13-hour battery life, it prioritizes performance and workspace over portability. For students, remote workers, and frequent travelers seeking ultraportable efficiency, MacBook Air M4 wins decisively at $1099. XPS 16 suits professionals demanding larger workspace and Windows ecosystem at the premium $1899 price point.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 2.13 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 16.3 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4
Pros
- M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- 16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
- 18-hour battery life rivals the 15-inch model
- Fanless, completely silent operation
Cons
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion or high-refresh option
- 256 GB base storage requires upgrading for most users
- Only two Thunderbolt ports limits connectivity
- 13.6-inch screen feels cramped for multitasking
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Pros
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
- Large 99.5 Wh battery
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No USB-A, HDMI, or SD card slot
- Capacitive touch function row is divisive
- Invisible haptic trackpad takes adjustment
- Heavy and runs hot under load
- Mediocre battery life with discrete GPU
Related Comparisons
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