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Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 vs Dell XPS 14 (9440)

Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 establishes clear superiority with its Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display delivering 1600 nits brightness and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, vastly outpacing the Dell's modest 500-nit IPS panel. Performance-wise, both handle professional workloads admirably, though the M4's unified 16GB architecture and optimized macOS integration excel for creative tasks, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H offers stronger multi-threaded performance for specific Windows applications. Battery life heavily favors Apple at 24 hours versus Dell's 12 hours, making the MacBook substantially more practical for mobile professionals. Dell's expandable storage and marginally larger 14.5" display provide minor advantages, but these don't offset the M4's superior display technology and battery endurance. At just $100 more, the MacBook Pro 14" M4 delivers exceptional value for demanding users prioritizing display quality and battery longevity.

Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4
Apple
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4
$1,599
8.9/10
Winner
VS
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Dell
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
$1,699
7.4/10

Full Specifications

SpecApple MacBook Pro 14" M4Dell XPS 14 (9440)
SoftwaremacOS SequoiaWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight1.55 kg1.74 kg
MaterialAluminum unibodyCNC aluminum and carbon fiber
Dimensions312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm320.0 x 215.5 x 18.0 mm
Ports
HDMI1
SD card
MagSafe
Thunderbolt ports33
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 24 hours wireless webUp to 12 hours mixed use
Capacity72.4 Wh69.5 Wh
Display
Size14.2 inches14.5 inches
TypeLiquid Retina XDR mini-LEDInfinityEdge IPS non-touch
Resolution3024 x 19641920 x 1200
Refresh rate120Hz ProMotion60Hz
Brightness (nits)1600500
Storage
SSD512 GB512 GB NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM16 GB unified16 GB LPDDR5x
Cores10-core CPU, 10-core GPU16-core (6P+8E+2LPE)
ChipsetApple M4Intel Core Ultra 7 155H

Category Scores

Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Value
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0
Battery
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Display
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Performance
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portability
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Pros & Cons

Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4

Pros

  • 16 GB base RAM at no extra cost
  • Excellent battery life up to 24 hours
  • Mini-LED ProMotion display in entry MacBook Pro
  • Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus HDMI and SD
  • Quiet, efficient operation under typical load

Cons

  • M4 lacks the GPU power of Pro/Max chips
  • Storage upgrades remain expensive
  • Only two external displays supported on M4
  • Design unchanged from previous generation

Dell XPS 14 (9440)

Pros

  • Striking minimalist CNC aluminum design
  • Optional 3.2K OLED touch display
  • Optional discrete RTX 4050 GPU
  • Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus microSD
  • Excellent quad speaker setup

Cons

  • No USB-A or HDMI ports
  • Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
  • Seamless haptic touchpad has no visible borders
  • Battery life below class-leading ultrabooks
  • Premium price for the base configuration

Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Dell products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 or the Dell XPS 14 (9440).