When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Dell XPS 13, consider their strengths. The MacBook Pro offers higher performance for tasks like video editing and 3D modeling but at a higher price, while the XPS 13 is more affordable and compact, making it easier to carry around but less suitable for intensive tasks. The MacBook Pro also typically has longer battery life and a larger screen, appealing to those who need to work for extended periods without charging or prefer a bigger display for their work. On the other hand, if your priority is portability and doing general day-to-day tasks without needing the additional performance that MacBook Pro provides, the Dell XPS 13 could be a more practical and cost-effective option. 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 XPS 13
Excellent portability
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
442.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) outshines the Dell XPS 13 in terms of CPU and GPU power, higher quality screen with better color coverage, and longer battery life, making it very good for general use; however, the XPS 13 is lighter and slightly more compact, which gives it an edge in portability for good all-around use. Both laptops offer ample RAM and storage for everyday tasks, but the MacBook Pro's superior screen quality, battery stamina, and thermal management make it particularly good, albeit with a trade-off in portability compared to the XPS 13.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.2/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
The MacBook Pro 14 has a more capable integrated GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are favorable for smoother and more detailed 3D rendering; however, many popular games are not compatible with its operating system. The Dell XPS 13 has a less powerful integrated GPU and lower screen refresh rate, which might limit gaming and 3D performance, but it can run a broader range of games due to its Windows operating system.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.2/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design use due to its powerful M1 Pro chip with a 14-core GPU and high screen quality with Mini LED technology, offering better performance and visual clarity compared to the Dell XPS 13, which, while still good for engineering and design with its Iris Xe graphics, has a lower-resolution IPS screen and less powerful processor.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
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 XPS 13 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
7.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
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 XPS 13 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
7.2/10
14.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has an exceptional screen, combining high resolution and brightness with broad color gamuts, making it well-suited for both general use and professional engineering or design work where color accuracy is key. However, its refresh rate isn't as high, which is less ideal for 3D applications where smoother motion is essential. The Dell XPS 13 also offers a high-quality screen with good resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and sufficient color accuracy for engineering and design, but like the MacBook, it falls short in refresh rate, affecting its performance in gaming and 3D scenarios.
Battery
13.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) 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
$1,905
$1,399
$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 XPS 13 costs $1,399.
"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."
"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 14 (2021) 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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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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