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If you are looking for a new laptop with a 16″ screen and the best battery money can buy, you will probably begin by comparing the Dell XPS 16 vs. MacBook Pro 16. However, there is a risk that you will end up agreeing with articles that fuel your confirmation bias of the best operating system for your needs.
Installing MacOS on a Dell laptop or Windows on a MacBook is easy enough, so it shouldn’t influence your decision. You should always begin by understanding the purpose of buying a new laptop and how you expect to use it daily. From there, you can compare CPU, RAM, storage, ports, price, and whether you want a keyboard and touchpad.
If you think the MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 16 are becoming increasingly similar, you are right, and this trend looks set to continue. At CES 2025, Dell announced it would be soon ditching XPS, Inspiron, Latitude, Precision, and OptiPlex from its new devices, opting for an Apple-style branding of Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max.
Despite the new naming prospect, Dell XPS is still here. In this battle between Macbook Pro vs. Dell XPS, we’ll find out which laptop has the best battery life and explore other crucial features to consider.
Key Takeaways
- The M4 MacBook Pro 16 offers up to 24 hours of use.
- The Dell XPS 16 delivers only 11 hours of battery life, while the smaller Dell XPS 13 offers over 19 hours.
- The MacBook Pro outperforms productivity and creative tasks, making it ideal for creatives, but the Dell XPS 16 edges it for gaming.
- Dell XPS 16’s optional touchscreen provides versatility that Apple does not yet offer.
- Dell XPS 16 is more budget-friendly with flexible configurations, but the price gap narrows with tempting upgrade options.
- Choosing between Dell and MacBook depends on battery life, performance, or budget flexibility.
- The Dell Premium name will replace the XPS moniker in 2025.
Dell XPS vs. MacBook Pro Specs Comparison
| Dell XPS 16 | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16-core, up to 4.8 GHz) | Apple M4 Pro chip |
| RAM | 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB | Base model 24GB
Up to 64GB integrated within the M4 SoC |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB PCIe Gen4 SSD | 512GB SSD (base model)
Configurable to: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series dedicated GPU | Apple M4 Pro integrated graphics |
| Display | 16-inch 4K+ (or 3.5K) InfinityEdge touchscreen options. | 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with the option of the new nano-texture display option. |
| Battery Life | 9-11 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD card reader | 3x USB-C with Thunderbolt 5, SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port. |
| Price | From $1,899 | From $2,499 |
Macbook Pro vs. Dell XPS: Which Is Better in 2025?
Battery Life
Winner: Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4)
With 24 hours of battery life, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro has the longest battery and is far ahead of the Dell XPS 16.
Laptop battery life is one of the most critical factors to consider, and it ensures you don’t run out of juice while traveling. Apple’s MacBooks have been ahead of Windows laptops since switching to the M series of Apple silicon chips.
But in the summer of 2024, The Dell XPS 13 with its Snapdragon X Elite chipset averaged over 19 hours in battery tests and outperformed the MacBook Air M3.
However, if more screen real estate is important to you, the Dell XPS 16 or Apple MacBook Pro 16 will be high on your list. But this is where Apple regains the crown as the longest battery on a premium laptop.
- M4 chips inside the latest MacBook Pros can provide up to 24 hours of battery life.
- Meanwhile, you will get around 11 hours out of a new Dell XPS 16.
If battery life and screen size are the most important factors driving your next purchase, the M4-powered MacBook Pro 16 is undoubtedly the clear winner.
The only way to get a battery life capable of coming close from Dell is if you are willing to sacrifice Apple’s 16-inch Liquid Retina panels for the Dell XPS 13’s smaller 13-inch FHD IPS display.
Performance
Winner: Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4)
The Macbook Pro wins with faster performance. However, XPS 16 gains a slight edge for gaming.
The XPS 16 from Dell offers excellent all-around performance and is one of the best large-screen Windows laptops on the market. When pitted against the M4 MacBook Pro 16, it falls short regarding productivity and creative tasks. But, when gaming, the XPS 16 does enough to gain a slight edge.
The XPS 16, like other Dell computers, comes with pre-installed software that some users consider bloatware. These can be removed, but this kind of handholding can lead to a frustrating experience for many advanced users.
Choosing between the performance of these two 16″ laptops will largely depend on what you intend to use the computer for and whether your allegiance lies with Microsoft Windows or Apple’s walled garden.
Overall, the M4 MacBook Pro 16 performs better across the board in almost every task. Its only Achilles heel is gaming.
Design
Winner: Tie.
Do you prioritize classic refinement or forward-thinking design? How you answer this question is subjective, which makes this a tie.
Apple continues with Touch ID integration, but it arguably needs an upgrade. The Dell XPS 16 embraces a more innovative and futuristic approach. Its exterior remains familiar with a silver lid and anodized chrome accents, but the interior sets it apart.
The XPS 16 also integrates user presence sensing for automatic sleep/wake functionality, and its biometric options include facial recognition and fingerprint scanning.
Ultimately, the MacBook Pro 16 appeals to users seeking a timeless, professional design, while the Dell XPS 16 caters to those who appreciate innovation and modern aesthetics.
Display
Winner: Tie
The MacBook Pro 16 will be the clear winner for creatives attracted by its ultra-high brightness and smoother refresh rate. However, general users might prefer the added benefit of XPS 16’s touchscreen, making it versatile for both work and play.
The MacBook Pro 16 offers a higher resolution and brighter display with more advanced features like ProMotion and mini-LED technology.
The Dell XPS 16 provides a choice between a more affordable FHD+ option and a premium 4K+ OLED display, with the latter offering superior contrast and color reproduction.
If you have the additional budget, the XPS 16’s high-end display option is well worth the additional layout and offers a touch-enabled display, which Apple bafflingly still does not provide.
Portability
Winner: Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4)
For users who need maximum mobility, the MacBook Pro 16 wins with its promise to eradicate top-up charge concerns when traveling.
The difference between these 16-inch laptops’ weight and size is too small to mention, and they both succeed in balancing performance and mobility.
The option of a touchscreen upgrade might give the Dell XPS 16 the edge for some. But there is no shying away from the fact that the most essential part of working on the go is being able to avoid the need to recharge your laptop frequently. This is where the MacBook Pro 16 wins in the portability stakes.
Price & Value
Winner: Tie
The Dell XPS 16 provides a more budget-friendly option with competitive performance, especially for users who prefer Windows. However, the MacBook Pro could offer more value in the long term.
The Dell XPS 16’s lower starting price and flexible configuration will immediately attract budget-conscious buyers.
But if you are serious about buying a 16″ laptop that competes with the MacBook Pro, you will probably need to pay $400 for the 4K OLED touchscreen upgrade.
This is the moment when the two laptops are closer in price than you might initially think. While slightly more expensive, the M4 MacBook Pro 16 is more of a longer-term investment as Apple MacBooks typically retain their value longer.
Dell’s Rebranding 2025 Briefly Explained
The latest Dell rebranding announcement shouldn’t confuse you. The XPS model is still there, but you’ll soon see it as Dell Premium.
Dell is eliminating its old and well-known PC family names, aiming to simplify what’s what for new customers.
| Current Dell Models | New Dell Models | Full Product Names |
|---|---|---|
| XPS | Dell | Dell Premium |
| Inspiron Plus | Dell | Dell Plus |
| Inspiron | Dell | Dell (base, but no additional identifier) |
| Latitude | Dell Pro | Dell Pro, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium |
| Precision | Dell Pro Max | Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Max Plus, Dell Pro Max Premium |
Best Laptops for Battery Life: Popular Alternatives
So, which laptops have the best battery life in 2025?
If you’re still in doubt, there are some other popular options among laptops with the best battery life, sometimes offering users up to 30 hours.
The Bottom Line
When you compare the MacBook and Dell laptops, both excel in different ways, catering to different user needs. If battery life is your top priority, the MacBook Pro 16 reigns supreme with up to 24 hours of endurance, far outpacing the Dell XPS 16’s 11 hours.
However, there are other things to consider. Dell’s touchscreen upgrade option offers versatility and a more budget-friendly entry point. But MacBook justifies its higher price with better long-term value and resale potential.
The best laptop for you will depend on how you prioritize battery life, macOS, or a budget-friendly Windows laptop.
