Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) vs Dell Inspiron 15 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 13-inch commands premium pricing at $1799 with its superior 2560x1600 Retina display, Intel 10th-gen processor, and exceptional build quality using aluminum throughout. Dell's Inspiron 15 offers tremendous value at $599, featuring a larger 15.6-inch screen, longer battery life up to 12 hours, and modern 12th/13th-gen processors with up to 16GB DDR5 RAM. However, the MacBook delivers notably faster performance in real-world tasks, superior display brightness at 500 nits versus 250, and four Thunderbolt 4 ports for connectivity. Dell includes practical features like SD card reader and traditional USB-A ports absent from Apple's design. Software preference matters significantly here: macOS users gain ecosystem benefits while Windows users get broader software compatibility. For creative professionals prioritizing performance and display quality, the MacBook justifies its premium. Budget-conscious users and those needing larger screens should choose the Dell.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) if…
- →4 Thunderbolt 3 ports — double the lower-end 13-inch models
- →16 GB RAM standard in the 4-port configuration
- →Supports multiple external displays unlike M1 models
Buy the Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) if…
- →Solid all-rounder for everyday productivity and web browsing at $599
- →Good port selection including HDMI and SD card reader
- →Reasonable 54 Wh battery provides good endurance for the price
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020)
Pros
- 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports — double the lower-end 13-inch models
- 16 GB RAM standard in the 4-port configuration
- Supports multiple external displays unlike M1 models
- Excellent Retina display with P3 wide color and True Tone
- Reliable Intel ecosystem with broad software compatibility
Cons
- Dramatically outperformed by the M1 chip in both speed and efficiency
- 10-hour battery life is nearly half the M1 MacBook Pro
- Fans spin up frequently and loudly under moderate loads
- Touch Bar is widely disliked and was later discontinued
- Thermal throttling limits sustained performance
Dell Inspiron 15 (2024)
Pros
- Solid all-rounder for everyday productivity and web browsing at $599
- Good port selection including HDMI and SD card reader
- Reasonable 54 Wh battery provides good endurance for the price
- Lightweight at 1.65 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
- Expandable storage via second M.2 slot
Cons
- 250-nit display brightness is dim for any non-indoor use
- 60Hz refresh rate feels behind modern standards
- 8 GB base RAM needs upgrading for comfortable multitasking
- Plastic chassis feels basic compared to aluminum competitors
- Webcam is only 720p — poor for video calls
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) | Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 1.65 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Plastic chassis with aluminum palm rest |
| Dimensions | 12.0 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches | 358.5 x 235.6 x 16.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 4 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 4 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 58 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 4 TB) | 512 GB PCIe NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB / 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 4 cores / 8 threads | 10-core (Intel) / 6-core (AMD) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (10th Gen) | Intel Core i5-1335U / AMD Ryzen 5 7530U |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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