Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Apple's MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro dominates with its exceptional Liquid Retina XDR display (3456 x 2234, 1600 nits, 120Hz ProMotion), delivering superior clarity and responsiveness for creative professionals. Its M4 Pro chip with 20-core GPU and 24GB unified RAM significantly outpaces the Dell's Intel Core Ultra 7 with 16GB LPDDR5x, particularly for video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking. Battery life favors Apple at 24 hours versus Dell's 13 hours, plus MagSafe and SD card connectivity provide practical advantages. Dell XPS 16 counters with competitive build quality, expandable storage, and $600 lower pricing, making it suitable for general professionals and Windows users. However, the MacBook Pro's premium display technology, processing power, and battery efficiency justify the investment for demanding creative workflows. Recommended for content creators; Dell suits budget-conscious users.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 2.13 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 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 24 hours wireless web | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 16.3 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 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
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