When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Dell XPS 13, consider your priorities. The MacBook Pro is known for its superior build quality, with slightly better performance in general use and higher quality speakers. It runs MacOS, suits premium business needs, and offers silent operation due to its fanless design, making it ideal if you work in quiet environments. However, the MacBook Pro is also more expensive and heavier, which could be a disadvantage if you need portability.
On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13 is more affordable and lighter, which enhances its portability. It comes with more RAM and storage out of the box compared to the MacBook Pro, runs Windows 11 Home, and has better heat management. However, expect shorter battery life and potentially louder fan noise during intensive tasks.
If long battery life, MacOS, and quiet operation are significant for you, and you're willing to invest more, the MacBook Pro may be the better option. But if you're looking for a more budget-friendly, portable Windows machine with more RAM and storage, the Dell XPS 13 could be the way to go. 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 keyboard
Advantages of the Dell XPS 13
Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.6/10
7.2/10
13.3in
SIZE
13.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Pro's higher resolution and brightness provide a more vivid and clear visual experience, while the Dell XPS 13 offers a good balance of clarity and brightness at a typically lower cost. When it comes to engineering and design, the MacBook Pro excels with wider color gamuts, making it ideal for precision color work, whereas the Dell's color representation is good but may not satisfy professionals needing the utmost color accuracy. However, for 3D applications where smooth motion is crucial, both models fall short due to lower refresh rates, making neither laptop ideal for high-end gaming or advanced 3D rendering.
Battery
20.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,219
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $1,399.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) with its M2 chip offers robust performance, suitable for most general use cases, plus a high screen quality and exceptional battery life, making it a strong choice for tasks that benefit from a reliable, long-lasting device. The Dell XPS 13, on the other hand, provides more RAM which may enhance multitasking performance, includes a high-quality screen, and is lighter for greater portability, yet falls short in battery life compared to the MacBook Pro, making it slightly less ideal for extended use away from a power source.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.2/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) with an Apple M2 GPU and a standard 60Hz screen refresh rate is capable for 3D tasks but not ideal for higher-end gaming, especially considering that many games are not compatible with macOS. In contrast, the Dell XPS 13 also has a standard 60Hz refresh rate and uses Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, which provides fair gaming performance for certain games on Windows, but it is not suited for the most demanding 3D tasks or high-refresh-rate gaming.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
7.2/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is highly regarded for engineering and design due to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen suitable for detailed design work, though its GPU is less suited for intensive 3D tasks. The Dell XPS 13 also excels in engineering and design applications thanks to its strong CPU performance and quality display, with its compact form factor and premium build making it portable and durable for professionals on the go.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.7/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell XPS 13 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
7.8/10
7.5/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell XPS 13 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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
13.4in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 13 to have excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Dell XPS 13 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."
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) or the Dell XPS 13
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.
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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
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