Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Dell Precision 5680
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and Dell Precision 5680 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. Both launched at roughly the same price ($2,499 vs $2,499), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro stands out for largest macbook display at 16.2 inches, 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 16" M5 Pro if…
- →Largest MacBook display at 16.2 inches
- →M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations
- →100 Wh battery with 24-hour 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 16" M5 Pro
Pros
- Largest MacBook display at 16.2 inches
- M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations
- 100 Wh battery with 24-hour life
- Thunderbolt 5
- Up to 96GB RAM with M5 Max
Cons
- 2.14 kg is heavy
- $2499 starting price
- Non-upgradable components
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 16" M5 Pro | Dell Precision 5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 4.49 lbs (2.04 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 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 | 100 Wh | 86 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | OLED touch |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 3840 x 2400 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 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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