Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4 vs Dell XPS 16

Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4 wins — The Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4 outperforms the Dell XPS 16 in battery life by up to 9 hours in video tests from Notebookche…

Scores: Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4 9/10 · Dell XPS 16 7.5/10

The Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4 outperforms the Dell XPS 16 in battery life by up to 9 hours in video tests from Notebookcheck and delivers superior thermal efficiency. The Dell XPS 16 counters with a vibrant OLED touchscreen and broader Windows app compatibility according to Tom's Hardware. For macOS users focused on creative work the MacBook Pro is the clear winner while Windows professionals may...

Spec-by-spec comparison

Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4Dell XPS 16
CPUApple M4 Pro or M4 MaxIntel Core Ultra 200 series (Lunar Lake / Arrow Lake)
Display16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR 120Hz16-inch OLED touchscreen 120Hz
RAMUp to 128GB unifiedUp to 64GB LPDDR5X
Battery LifeUp to 24 hours video playback (per Apple)Up to 15 hours mixed use (per Notebookcheck)

Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4

What works

  • Superior battery life and thermal efficiency
  • Excellent build quality with Liquid Retina XDR display
  • Optimized macOS performance for creative workflows

What doesn't

  • Higher starting price than comparable Windows laptops
  • Limited port selection without adapters

Dell XPS 16

What works

  • High-quality OLED display with touch support
  • Strong Windows compatibility and port selection
  • Good performance for multitasking and light creative work

What doesn't

  • Shorter battery life compared to Apple Silicon models
  • Higher fan noise under sustained loads

Bottom line

Our pick: Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4. It edges out the alternative on superior battery life and thermal efficiency. That said, Dell XPS 16 still wins on high-quality oled display with touch support — consider it if that single trade matters most for your use.

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