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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high performance for engineering tasks and need more storage out of the box, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a strong choice as it comes with more RAM and storage capacity at a lower cost. However, the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) offers a balance of performance with the efficiency of the Apple M2 processor, leading to a longer battery life, and this model is known for silent operation due to its fanless design. Both are comparable in terms of weight, but the MacBook Pro is slightly slimmer, offering a bit more portability. For graphics-intensive tasks like 3D rendering or machine learning, the MacBook's GPU is specifically tuned for its hardware, but don't expect it to outperform the Inspiron in these areas. The Inspiron is also suitable for gaming due to its Intel Iris Xe graphics, better than the MacBook for this purpose. The MacBook Pro delivers higher screen color accuracy and brightness, which could be important if your work involves color-sensitive tasks. 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 (2022)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
- The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022).
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.6
7.0
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, AI, and engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13, with its high resolution and bright display, offers excellent clarity and color for general use and design tasks, where details and color accuracy are key. However, it lacks a high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth rendering in 3D applications. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus also provides a respectable display for general tasks and supports a range of colors for engineering and design, but its lower refresh rate makes it less suitable for gaming and 3D work, where fluid motion and rapid screen updates are essential.
Battery
20.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 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
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.4
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is favored for its strong performance backed by the Apple M2 chip and 8 GB of RAM, along with its high-quality Retina display, impressive 20-hour battery life, and silent operation, making it a solid choice for general use that needs balance between power and portability. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus stands out with double the storage and RAM, a robust Intel i7 processor, a good display, though its battery lasts about 6 hours which is significantly less than the MacBook Pro, but offers more storage flexibility and a larger screen, making it suitable for those who prioritize multitasking and screen real estate over portability and battery longevity.
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.6
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 with its M2 integrated GPU is less suited for gaming and 3D tasks due to the limitations of MacOS compatibility with many popular games and generally less powerful graphics performance compared to dedicated GPUs. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a more robust Intel Iris Xe integrated GPU and runs Windows 11 Pro, which supports a wider range of games and is typically better for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.5
7.8
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) carries the well-regarded M2 chip, alongside a high-quality retina screen with excellent color accuracy, which is advantageous for engineering and design tasks that require reliable performance and color precision. In comparison, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus includes a powerful Intel i7 processor and a larger amount of RAM, beneficial for demanding software used in engineering, alongside a good quality screen, though it lacks the color accuracy of the MacBook.
Content Creation
7.9
7.9
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both good for content creation.
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.
Software Development
7.8
7.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus are both good for software development.
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.
Cost
$1,219
$1,200
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus costs $1,200.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) | Dell Inspiron 14 Plus |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,219 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | July 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.36" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.96" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 20 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58.2 Wh | 64 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2240 x 1400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 497 nits | 326 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"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."
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | August 2022
"The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is for power users on a budget. If you're looking to maximize CPU and GPU performance on your next 14-inch laptop, then consider the pricier Razer Blade 14 or Asus Zephyrus G14. If you're looking for a thin-and-light 14-inch Ultrabook, then the Asus Zenbook 14 or LG Gram 14 may be better options. For the best of both worlds, however, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 rides a fine line between extreme performance and portability while keeping prices at reasonable levels. Frequent travelers who rely on performance beyond what the Core U-series and integrated graphics series can offer will find the Dell to be a solid solution."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) or the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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.
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