Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro vs Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M4 Pro dominates with a superior 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (1600 nits, 120Hz ProMotion) versus Dell's smaller 13.4-inch IPS panel (500 nits, 60Hz), delivering exceptional color accuracy for creative work. Performance-wise, the M4 Pro's unified 24GB RAM and 16-core GPU outpace Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H, particularly for video editing and 3D rendering. Battery life heavily favors MacBook Pro at 22 hours versus 12 hours on XPS 13 Plus. Dell compensates with superior portability (1.24kg vs 1.60kg), better thermal efficiency, and $700 lower price tag,making it ideal for ultraportable Windows users. MacBook Pro's 3 Thunderbolt ports and HDMI/SD card support offer connectivity Dell lacks entirely. For professionals requiring sustained performance and premium displays, MacBook Pro justifies its premium. Budget-conscious Windows users prioritizing mobility should choose Dell.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro if…
- →Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- →Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- →Long battery life around 22 hours
Buy the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) if…
- →Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
- →Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
- →Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
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 XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Pros
- Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
- Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
- Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
- Excellent build quality with premium aluminum finish
- Optional 4K OLED upgrade available
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A, HDMI, or SD card
- Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
- Soldered RAM and SSD cannot be upgraded
- Battery life is merely average for an ultrabook
- Haptic touchpad has invisible borders
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro | Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg | 1.24 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 295.3 x 199.0 x 15.3 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 0 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 0 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 55 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 13.4 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 | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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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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