Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Dell Precision 5680
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and Dell Precision 5680 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro is the cheaper of the two at $1,999 versus $2,499, a difference of about $500. 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 Precision 5680 is praised for nvidia rtx 3500 ada workstation gpu with isv certifications. 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 Precision 5680 if…
- →NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada workstation GPU with ISV certifications
- →4K OLED touch display with 100% DCI-P3 for color-critical work
- →ECC memory option for error-free computation in CAD/simulation
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 Precision 5680
Pros
- NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada workstation GPU with ISV certifications
- 4K OLED touch display with 100% DCI-P3 for color-critical work
- ECC memory option for error-free computation in CAD/simulation
- Compact for a mobile workstation — smaller than most 16-inch laptops
- Dell's enterprise support and manageability tools
Cons
- Expensive starting at $2,499 with workstation GPU configs much higher
- Only USB-C/Thunderbolt — no built-in USB-A or HDMI
- OLED display limited to 60Hz refresh rate
- Fan noise under sustained workstation loads is loud
- Battery life drops to 4-5 hours under GPU-intensive tasks
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | Dell Precision 5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 4.49 lbs (2.04 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 13.64 x 9.17 x 0.74 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 86 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | OLED touch |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3840 x 2400 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 32 GB DDR5 ECC |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 14 cores (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core i9-13900H (13th Gen) |
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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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