Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Dell Inspiron 16 (5640)
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) is the cheaper of the two at $799 versus $1,999, a difference of about $1,200. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro stands out for m5 pro: 18-core cpu with super cores, 4x ai performance vs m4, while Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) is praised for affordable 16-inch productivity laptop. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro if…
- →M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- →Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- →Up to 24 hours battery life
Buy the Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) if…
- →Affordable 16-inch productivity laptop
- →Generous port selection including HDMI and USB-A
- →Comfortable keyboard with numpad
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro
Pros
- M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- Up to 24 hours battery life
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip
- Starts at 1TB storage
Cons
- $1999 starting price
- No touchscreen
- Non-upgradable RAM and storage
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
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.90 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 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 24 hours | Up to 9 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | WVA anti-glare LED |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 10-core (2P+8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core 7 150U |
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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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