Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M3 delivers exceptional value at $1599, featuring the stunning 3024x1964 Liquid Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion and 1600 nits brightness,ideal for creative professionals. Its M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU handles everyday tasks smoothly, though the base 8GB RAM feels limiting. Battery life reaches an impressive 17 hours, and the aluminum unibody is remarkably light at 1.55kg. Dell's XPS 16 costs $300 more and offers a larger 16.3" screen with 16GB RAM and a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7, making it better for heavy multitasking and demanding applications. However, its 1920x1200 IPS display significantly lags the MacBook's visual quality, and the heavier 2.13kg chassis reduces portability. For creative work, content consumption, and everyday use, the MacBook Pro 14" M3 is the superior choice. Choose the Dell only if you need Windows, expandable storage, and significantly more RAM for professional workloads.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 if…
- →Full ProMotion mini-LED XDR display at the $1599 entry tier
- →Excellent 17-hour battery life for a 14-inch machine
- →Compact and portable at 1.55 kg
Buy the Dell XPS 16 (9640) if…
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- →Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- →Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3
Pros
- Full ProMotion mini-LED XDR display at the $1599 entry tier
- Excellent 17-hour battery life for a 14-inch machine
- Compact and portable at 1.55 kg
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus HDMI and SD card
- Silent under light-to-moderate workloads
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM is restrictive for demanding tasks
- Storage upgrades carry a steep Apple premium
- M3 GPU struggles with heavy 3D workloads compared to Pro/Max
- Notch in display polarises opinions
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
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sonoma | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 2.13 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours wireless web | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16.3 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Related Comparisons
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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