Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro vs Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Apple's MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro delivers superior performance with its 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, paired with 24GB unified memory versus Intel's 16GB configuration. Display quality heavily favors Apple: the 3456x2234 Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED panel with 120Hz ProMotion and 1600 nits vastly outperforms Dell's 1920x1200 IPS display at 500 nits and 60Hz. Battery endurance is remarkable on the MacBook (24 hours wireless web) compared to Dell's 12-hour mixed use rating. Dell compensates with lighter weight (1.74kg vs 2.14kg), expandable storage, and significantly lower pricing ($1699 vs $2499). For professional creative work, video editing, or intensive development, the MacBook Pro's performance and display justify the premium. For everyday productivity and portability on a budget, Dell offers compelling value despite hardware disadvantages. Choose MacBook Pro if performance and display quality matter most; choose Dell XPS 14 for affordability and lighter portability.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro | Dell XPS 14 (9440) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 1.74 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm | 320.0 x 215.5 x 18.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 69.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 14.5 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 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 | 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro
Pros
- Exceptional battery life up to 24 hours
- Stunning mini-LED XDR display with 1600 nits HDR brightness
- Class-leading M4 Pro performance and efficiency
- Excellent six-speaker sound system
- Wide port selection including HDMI and SD card
Cons
- Very expensive starting price
- Heavy at over 2.1 kg
- RAM and storage not user-upgradeable
- Limited macOS gaming library
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
Related Comparisons
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Dell products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro or the Dell XPS 14 (9440).