The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) offers higher performance for 3D, machine learning, and general engineering tasks, superior display quality with high resolution and brightness, and longer battery life, making it ideal for professionals who require top-tier performance and have a higher budget. However, it's heavier than the Dell XPS 15, which could be a consideration for those who prioritize portability. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15 is more economical, with a high-quality display and decent performance suitable for everyday use and some professional tasks, making it a great option for those who want a balance between price, performance, and portability without needing extreme computing power. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Excellent for general use
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
9.0/10
8.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the Dell XPS 15 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in general use due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro CPU, ample RAM, high-quality Mini LED screen, and long battery life, matched with a light-weight design that enhances its portability despite its larger screen. The Dell XPS 15 boasts a capable Intel i7 processor and high-quality IPS screen, with good portability and a significantly better heat management system, but has half the RAM of the MacBook and a shorter battery life.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
8.1/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 offers a higher RAM capacity and a superior GPU, which are crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks, with its high-resolution Mini LED screen delivering exceptional color accuracy and quality. Meanwhile, the Dell XPS 15, while still powerful with an Intel i7 processor and dedicated graphics, provides less RAM and a lower resolution screen, but is lighter and therefore more portable, with a better speaker quality and less operating noise.
Software Development
8.9/10
8.1/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is somewhat better.
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
9.4/10
7.4/10
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 15 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a vibrant display that offers high resolution and excellent brightness, making it ideal for general use where reading text and viewing media are a priority. For engineering and design, its wide color gamut ensures accurate, vivid colors, crucial for detailed design work. However, for 3D applications, the MacBook Pro's standard refresh rate is a limitation, as a higher refresh rate is preferable for smoother motion rendering often needed in 3D environments.
Battery
17.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) 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
$1,949
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,949 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 15 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has high-quality screen resolution and color accuracy, plus a strong GPU, making it suitable for 3D design and video editing; however, limited game compatibility can be a drawback for gamers. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15 offers powerful gaming performance with its superior GPU and higher screen refresh rate, but also excels in demanding 3D tasks, benefiting from a capable CPU and quality display.
Content Creation
8.8/10
8.3/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Dell XPS 15 are both very 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 15 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
"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 16 (2021) 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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
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.