To decide between the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the Dell XPS 15, consider your priorities. The MacBook Pro is more portable, offers a higher-resolution screen, and longer battery life, which is excellent for general use and multimedia tasks, especially if you're integrated into the Apple ecosystem. However, the Dell XPS 15 comes with a larger screen, more storage and memory, and a dedicated graphics card, making it better for demanding engineering tasks, 3D rendering, or machine learning, as well as having the versatility of Windows 11. The XPS 15's additional ports and upgradeability might be beneficial for extended use, while the MacBook's simpler port selection and lack of a fan, ensuring silent operation, might appeal for on-the-go use. Make your choice based on whether portability and battery life or performance and versatility are more important for your workflow. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Best in class battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
8.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its Apple M1 chip and fanless operation offers exceptional battery life and silent use for general tasks, but it has a smaller screen and less power than the Dell XPS 15. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15, featuring a more powerful Intel CPU and a larger, brighter display, excels in performance and screen quality, making it more suitable for intensive applications despite its heavier weight and shorter battery life.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.1/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its high-resolution screen and silent operation is well-suited for design tasks, and its lightweight build enhances portability for engineers on the go, but it has less RAM and storage compared to the Dell XPS 15, which offers a powerful Intel CPU and a dedicated GPU making it ideal for more demanding engineering applications, though its greater weight reduces portability.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.3/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
7.4/10
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 15 for general use, and engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 15 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
The MacBook Pro 13's retina display delivers crisp resolution and high brightness levels, making it excellent for everyday tasks and content consumption, plus its color accuracy and wide color gamut support are crucial for engineering and design work. Conversely, the Dell XPS 15 offers similar high resolution and brightness with good color reproduction, suitable for general use and professional design tasks. However, for 3D applications and gaming, where high refresh rates are key to smooth visuals, neither laptop is ideal as they prioritize other display qualities over fast refresh rates.
Battery
20.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$1,000
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
The Dell XPS 15 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15 offers a dedicated Intel Arc A370M graphics card which provides stronger gaming and 3D performance compared to the Apple MacBook Pro 13's integrated Apple M1 GPU, which is less powerful, especially for graphics-intensive tasks. Additionally, while both feature 60Hz refresh rate displays, the XPS 15's GPU supports a larger variety of games as many popular titles are not compatible with macOS.
Software Development
7.8/10
8.1/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for software development, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the Dell XPS 15
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.