Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro delivers exceptional performance with its custom M4 Pro chip, 24GB unified memory, and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display boasting 1600 nits brightness and 120Hz ProMotion. Battery life reaches an impressive 22 hours, while the aluminum unibody weighs just 1.6kg. Dell's XPS 16 counters with a larger 16.3" screen and more traditional expansion options, though its 1920x1200 IPS panel at 500 nits feels dated and the Intel Core Ultra 7 shows measurably slower performance in real-world workloads. The XPS weighs 530g more and delivers 13-hour battery life. For creative professionals needing superior color accuracy, performance, and portability, the MacBook Pro justifies its $100 premium. The XPS suits Windows-dependent users seeking screen real estate but sacrifices performance and display quality.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.60 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 22 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 | 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 |
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 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
Related Comparisons
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