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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) generally offers much higher performance, particularly for engineering, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks, with its more powerful processor and GPU. However, it is also much more expensive and less portable due to its larger screen and heavier weight. In contrast, the Dell XPS 13 is significantly less costly, much more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, and has a longer battery life, but it can't match the MacBook's performance. The XPS 13 would be more suited for general use and is more affordable. If portability and budget are your concerns, go with the XPS 13; if performance and high-end tasks are a priority and you can stretch the budget, then the MacBook Pro 16 is a better fit. 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 16 (Late 2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good 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 13
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.8
7.7
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) boasts a robust CPU and more RAM in comparison to the Dell XPS 13, resulting in superior general-use performance; it also offers a larger, high-quality Mini LED display with a higher resolution and color accuracy. While the Dell XPS 13 is lighter and more portable with a competent CPU and IPS display for general use, its smaller battery results in shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.2
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 13 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) boasts a powerful integrated GPU suited for demanding 3D applications and offers a high screen refresh rate, enhancing visual fluidity in 3D environments, while the Dell XPS 13's integrated GPU and lower screen refresh rate are sufficient for casual gaming but may not deliver the same level of performance in gaming and 3D tasks; additionally, the fact that many popular games are not compatible with macOS could influence the choice for gamers. Screen quality factors like resolution and color accuracy are high for both devices, with the MacBook's display being superior, but the Dell's compatibility with a vast library of Windows games can be a deciding factor for gaming enthusiasts.
Engineering and Design
8.9
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16, with its high-performance processor and graphics, more RAM, and advanced Mini LED screen, is more suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks than the Dell XPS 13, which offers less powerful CPU and GPU and a less color-accurate IPS screen. However, the Dell XPS 13 is lighter and more portable, which may benefit users who prioritize ease of movement and have less intensive computational needs.
Content Creation
8.9
7.7
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) 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
8.9
7.5
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
18.0 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 (Late 2023) 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
9.3
7.2
16.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 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 16 boasts a high-resolution display with exceptional brightness and color accuracy, covering wide color gamuts, making it ideal for engineering and design tasks where color representation is crucial, but its standard refresh rate limits its effectiveness for 3D tasks that benefit from faster screen updates. The Dell XPS 13 offers a crisp, bright screen suitable for everyday tasks and professional design work, thanks to good resolution and color accuracy, yet it falls short for gaming and 3D applications as it also lacks a high refresh rate. Both laptops excel in areas prioritizing screen clarity and color fidelity but aren't the best fit for activities that require quick visual responsiveness.
Battery
17.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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
Good
Excellent
16.2in
SIZE
13.4in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) 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
$3,099
$850
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has a price of $3,099 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $850.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and the Dell XPS 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) | Dell XPS 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,099 | $850 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 2.59 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 11.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 7.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (12C) | Intel i7-1250U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 18 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 13.4" | |
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 | 442 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023)
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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 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"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 16 (Late 2023) 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.
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