A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated 24 hours ago |
Report incorrect information
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
This configuration is out of stock.
Dell XPS 15
This configuration is out of stock.
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
Choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the Dell XPS 15 depends largely on your budget and specific needs. The MacBook Pro is generally more expensive but offers robust performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks, striking screen quality, and longer battery life, making it well-suited for professionals and creators needing high processing power and superb display. Additionally, it boasts an environment tailored for MacOS applications. On the other hand, the XPS 15 is more affordable, slightly more portable, and runs Windows 11, catering to users who prefer compatibility with a wide range of software, including games that may leverage its dedicated graphics. It also provides the flexibility of additional RAM and storage expansions, suitable for general use and moderate professional tasks where cost-effectiveness is important. Give Feedback
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
- Excellent for general use
- Good for gaming and AI
- Excellent for content creation
- 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 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
9.1
8.2
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 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 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the Dell XPS 15 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) with its M2 Pro chip offers robust performance and high screen quality with a Mini LED display, making it a strong choice for general use, although it is heavier and pricier, which impacts its portability and affordability. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15 provides a solid balance of power and features with its 12th Gen Intel processor and IPS screen, tends to be more affordable, and is slightly more portable due to its lower weight, but has a shorter battery life compared to the MacBook Pro.
Gaming and AI
7.4
6.8
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 15 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is equipped with an Apple M2 Pro graphics unit and a high refresh rate screen which makes it suitable for 3D applications, while the Dell XPS 15, with its Intel Arc A370M graphics and a standard refresh rate display, also supports 3D but excels in gaming thanks to its compatibility with a wide range of games that may not run on Macs.
Engineering and Design
8.8
8.1
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is considered very good for engineering and design due to its higher resolution Mini LED display, larger onboard storage, and the performance of its Apple M2 Pro chip with integrated GPU, albeit at a higher weight which impacts portability somewhat negatively. The Dell XPS 15, while still good for such tasks, offers an IPS display with lower resolution and an Intel CPU coupled with an Arc GPU, with a slightly lighter build which may be easier to carry, but it also features less storage.
Content Creation
9.1
8.3
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the Dell XPS 15 is very 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
8.9
8.1
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 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 (2023) and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) 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
9.3
7.4
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 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.
If you prioritize a high-resolution display with vibrant colors for activities like photo editing or watching videos, the Apple MacBook Pro 16's stunning screen excels with its exceptional panel quality and brightness, providing an immersive experience for both general use and engineering tasks. The Dell XPS 15 also offers a quality display with good color coverage, making it suitable for general tasks and professional design work where accurate color representation matters. However, for gaming or 3D rendering, where fluid motion is key, neither of these laptops would be ideal due to their lower refresh rates compared to dedicated gaming laptops.
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
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) 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
$2,423
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has a price of $2,423 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
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 (2023) 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 (2023) and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
VS
Gaming and AI Score
Price
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) | Dell XPS 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,423 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 4.21 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 13.57" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (12C) | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 86 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 606 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"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."
Dell XPS 15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"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 (2023) or the Dell XPS 15
0
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Eluktronics Mech-15 G3R
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Razer Blade 14 (2023)
VS
Compare Dell XPS 15 vs. LG Ultra 16
VS
Compare Dell XPS 15 vs. ASUS Vivobook 16X
VS
Compare Dell XPS 15 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming F17
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
167,595
Recommendations made
36,313
Consumer hours saved
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.