Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Dell XPS 14 (2023)
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and Dell XPS 14 (2023) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Dell XPS 14 (2023) is the cheaper of the two at $1,499 versus $2,499, a difference of about $1,000. 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 14 (2023) is praised for 120hz display is smooth and responsive for everyday work. 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 14 (2023) if…
- →120Hz display is smooth and responsive for everyday work
- →Thunderbolt 4 ports support fast external displays and storage
- →Solid build quality with premium aluminum and carbon fiber
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 14 (2023)
Pros
- 120Hz display is smooth and responsive for everyday work
- Thunderbolt 4 ports support fast external displays and storage
- Solid build quality with premium aluminum and carbon fiber
- Good 69.5 Wh battery capacity for the form factor
- Optional OLED display upgrade for creative professionals
Cons
- Fan noise is noticeable under sustained workloads
- No USB-A ports may require dongles
- 1.68 kg is heavier than ultrabook competitors
- Webcam quality is average for the price
- Soldered RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro | Dell XPS 14 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 1.68 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 cm | 319 x 226 x 18.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 69.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 14.5 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | IPS LCD (OLED optional) |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 512 GB NVMe PCIe 4.0 |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 10-core (6P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H |
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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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