Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro vs Dell G15 Gaming (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro commands a premium price but delivers exceptional value for creative professionals. Its Liquid Retina XDR display reaches 1600 nits of peak brightness with ProMotion 120Hz refresh, crushing the Dell's 300-nit 1080p IPS panel. The M3 Pro's unified 18GB RAM architecture excels at video editing, 3D rendering, and content creation, while offering a remarkable 17-hour battery life versus the Dell's 8 hours. Build quality favors Apple decisively: 1.61kg aluminum unibody versus 2.55kg plastic construction. However, the Dell G15 targets a different audience entirely. Its Intel Core i7-14650HX with 16-core performance and RTX GPU option makes it a capable gaming machine at nearly half the price. The 165Hz 1920x1080 display suits gaming better than creative work. Dell provides more traditional connectivity (USB-A ports) and upgradeable storage. Choose the MacBook Pro if you're serious about creative work, coding, or need portability with exceptional battery life. Pick the Dell G15 if gaming and general Windows productivity matter more, and you want to save $900.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro if…
- →M3 Pro with 3nm process delivers 20% faster CPU than M2 Pro
- →Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- →18 GB unified memory is a welcome base RAM increase over M2 Pro
Buy the Dell G15 Gaming (2024) if…
- →RTX 4060 Laptop GPU at a competitive $1,099 price point
- →86 Wh battery is generous for a budget gaming laptop
- →165Hz display is smooth for competitive shooters
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro
Pros
- M3 Pro with 3nm process delivers 20% faster CPU than M2 Pro
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- 18 GB unified memory is a welcome base RAM increase over M2 Pro
- 17-hour battery life is outstanding for a pro laptop
- Excellent port selection with HDMI, SD card reader, and MagSafe
Cons
- $1999 starting price is steep for the base configuration
- 512 GB base SSD may fill quickly for creative professionals
- 1.61 kg is noticeably heavier than the MacBook Air
- Notch on display can interfere with certain menu bar apps
- macOS limits gaming compared to Windows laptops
Dell G15 Gaming (2024)
Pros
- RTX 4060 Laptop GPU at a competitive $1,099 price point
- 86 Wh battery is generous for a budget gaming laptop
- 165Hz display is smooth for competitive shooters
- 14th-gen i7 HX processor handles both gaming and productivity
- Dual M.2 slots allow easy storage expansion
Cons
- All-plastic build feels cheap and creaks under pressure
- FHD resolution on a 15.6-inch panel looks grainy up close
- 5.63 lbs is heavy for daily campus carry
- Speakers are weak and tinny
- Fan noise is loud under gaming loads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro | Dell G15 Gaming (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sonoma | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.61 kg | 5.63 lbs (2.55 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 14.2 x 10.4 x 1.05 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours wireless web | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 86 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 165Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe (configurable to 4 TB) | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 18 GB unified | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU | 16 cores (8P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 Pro | Intel Core i7-14650HX (14th Gen) |
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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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