Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro vs Dell Inspiron 16 (5640)
Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro delivers exceptional performance with its 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU, paired with a stunning 3024x1964 Liquid Retina XDR display at 120Hz brightness reaching 1600 nits—ideal for creative professionals. Battery endurance stretches to 22 hours, while the aluminum unibody feels premium. Dell's Inspiron 16 targets budget-conscious users with a larger 16" screen, expandable storage, and traditional USB-A ports, but its Intel Core 7 150U, 16GB RAM, and 1920x1200 60Hz display lag significantly in responsiveness and visual quality. The Inspiron manages only 9 hours of battery life and weighs more. At $1,200 more, the MacBook justifies premium pricing through superior processing power, exceptional display technology, and exceptional battery longevity. Choose the MacBook Pro if performance and portability matter; select the Inspiron only if budget constraints dominate.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro | Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg | 1.90 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 357.9 x 252.0 x 19.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 9 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | WVA anti-glare LED |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB unified | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU | 10-core (2P+8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 Pro | Intel Core 7 150U |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Pros
- Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- Long battery life around 22 hours
- Three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed I/O
- Excellent build quality and speakers
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Base RAM bumped to 24 GB raises entry cost
- Notch in display divides opinion
- No cellular or touchscreen option
Dell Inspiron 16 (5640)
Pros
- Affordable 16-inch productivity laptop
- Generous port selection including HDMI and USB-A
- Comfortable keyboard with numpad
- 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD in base config
- Upgradeable storage and memory
Cons
- Dim 250-nit display unsuitable for bright rooms
- Plastic base feels less premium
- Mediocre battery life around 9 hours
- Low-power Core 7 150U trails H-class chips
- No discrete GPU option
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