The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Dell Precision 5470 are similarly priced, but they cater to different needs. The MacBook Pro has an Apple M1 Pro chip which is known for high performance, especially in creative apps optimized for MacOS, and offers longer battery life. It also has a higher-resolution Mini LED display which is ideal for color-sensitive work. The Precision 5470, with its Intel processor and Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU, is tailored for engineering and professional applications, potentially offering better performance in 3D rendering and machine learning tasks. However, it has a traditional IPS screen with a lower resolution. If portability is a priority, both are lightweight, but the MacBook Pro's battery life may be more convenient. For specialized work requiring Windows or specific software compatibility, the Dell is the better choice, but for general use and creative workflows, the MacBook Pro may be more appealing due to its display and battery performance. 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 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Precision 5470
The Dell Precision 5470 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.7/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Dell Precision 5470 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in general use due to its high-resolution Mini LED screen, excellent battery life, and efficient M1 Pro processor, offering vibrant colors and seamless performance for everyday tasks. In contrast, the Dell Precision 5470, while still good for general use, has a lower resolution IPS screen and shorter battery life, but it also includes a dedicated Nvidia graphics unit and additional ports, which may appeal to users needing specific connectivity and modest graphical power.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.8/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Precision 5470 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.
Software Development
8.3/10
7.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Dell Precision 5470 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.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
7.3/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell Precision 5470 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Pro 14's screen stands out in general use and engineering tasks due to its high resolution, bright display, and wide color gamut coverage which is essential for precise color work but falls short for 3D due to a standard refresh rate. The Dell Precision 5470, while offering good resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and capable color representation for design, doesn't meet the mark for 3D applications or gaming because it prioritizes color accuracy over the higher refresh rates required for smooth visuals. Consequently, users focused on general use and engineering will find the MacBook more suitable, while those interested in 3D work may need to look elsewhere for a device with a higher refresh rate display.
Battery
13.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Precision 5470 has 9 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 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Precision 5470 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$1,669
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the Dell Precision 5470 costs $1,669.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Dell Precision 5470 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021), with its robust GPU and high screen refresh rate, is suitable for 3D tasks, but keep in mind its MacOS might not support many popular games. Meanwhile, the Dell Precision 5470 combines a capable Nvidia GPU with a lower refresh rate screen, making it well-suited for gaming and 3D work on its Windows platform, which supports a broader range of games.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.8/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) to be very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Precision 5470 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design use due to its potent Apple M1 Pro processor, abundant RAM, high-quality GPU, and superior Mini LED screen rendering vivid colors and high brightness. The Dell Precision 5470, while lighter and also equipped with ample RAM, a powerful Intel CPU, and dedicated Nvidia GPU, has an IPS screen with lower color coverage and less impressive screen quality in comparison.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Dell Precision 5470 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Dell Precision 5470 compare to other laptops
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"The Dell Precision 5470 is a mobile workstation that's far more portable than most alternatives. Between its slim 14-inch design and top-quality MIL-STD 810H build, it's one of the best options around for taking professional-grade performance on the road or to the job site. There are tradeoffs for its portability, and users of the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications will need to carry something heavier. But the Dell's exceptional battery life underscores its desirability as the most portable workstation we've seen."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Dell Precision 5470
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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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
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