Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Dell XPS 13 (2023)
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and Dell XPS 13 (2023) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Dell XPS 13 (2023) is the cheaper of the two at $1,299 versus $2,499, a difference of about $1,200. 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 XPS 13 (2023) is praised for stunning infinityedge four-sided borderless display. 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 XPS 13 (2023) if…
- →Stunning InfinityEdge four-sided borderless display
- →Incredibly compact and lightweight at 2.59 lbs
- →Premium CNC machined aluminum build quality
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 XPS 13 (2023)
Pros
- Stunning InfinityEdge four-sided borderless display
- Incredibly compact and lightweight at 2.59 lbs
- Premium CNC machined aluminum build quality
- 12th-gen Intel P-series processor handles productivity well
- Excellent keyboard with 1.0 mm travel and good tactile feedback
Cons
- Only USB-C/Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A or HDMI
- 51 Wh battery is small for all-day use under heavy loads
- Webcam is 720p — subpar for video calls
- Soldered RAM means no upgrades after purchase
- Fan noise is noticeable under sustained workloads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro | Dell XPS 13 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 2.59 lbs (1.17 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 cm | 11.63 x 7.86 x 0.55 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 51 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 13.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | IPS anti-reflective |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 12 cores (4P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core i7-1360P (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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