Today ’s competition could not be more divergent in the struggle of the everything laptop computer . On one deal , we have Apple and itsM3 MacBook Pro , a pattern that hasremained the samefor the past several years . The troupe is hinging its hopes on a simple-minded design that works along with the strong public presentation of the M3 chips , the most powerful in its M - serial yet . On the other end of the spectrum isDell , with its newfangled XPS . This laptop computer is unknown to look at and strange to expend , and yet it carry the latest edition of Intel ’s CPU and has the choice for a discrete GPU to better graphical performance against Apple ’s all - in - one figure . It ’s a competition of comfort versus novelty , of tried and tested versus the unfamiliar .
We ’re all for ingenuity and innovation , but Dell ’s XPS plan was reasonably controversial when the party exhaust theXPS 13 Plus back in 2022and even more so when the company double down on it this yearwith a new 14- and 16 - inch versionsporting the same look with its inconspicuous trackpad , flat keyboard , and glowing touch function bar .
On the other hand , Apple may be act it too safely . TheM3 MacBook Prowas released the same year as the M2 MacBook Pro , and it was in effect the same laptop computer to the stop it replaced the earlier version in October 2023 . Now , the troupe has come out withMacBook Airs with M3that also look and feel very conversant compared to the earlierM2 . snake pit , certain configurations of the Air bench mark are nearly identical to the M3 MacBook Pro 14 .
The M3 MacBook Pro 14, left, looks like a far more traditional laptop than the new XPS 14, right.Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
This makes for exciting competition this class , especially for those looking for their gelt - and - butter fluid computing machine . The MacBook Pro has an edge in ports , with a full SD card slot and HDMI alongside two Thunderbolt 4 USB - C. The XPS has three USB - Cs , a micro - South Dakota card slot , and the usual headphone jack . Dell ’s PC come with a small plastic dongle for sticking in an HDMI , but it ’s something of note when both laptop computer are much the same thickness . The XPS has a far more interesting plan than the late MacBook , but does an intriguing look make a better laptop ? allow ’s find oneself out .
Dell XPS Vs. MacBook Pro Design, Keyboard, and Trackpad
MacBooks Don’t Seem Novel, but They Won’t Let You Down
This is the make or break for folks thinking about getting the latest Dell or Apple laptop . TheXPS 14redesign is a major departure from where it was before . It ’s bold , salient , and , in many ways , a sundry bag . On the other hand , the MacBook is a well-tried and tested form ingredient that weighs less and feels far more intimate for those used to the Magic keyboard and trackpad .
The MacBook Pro 14 with M3 look the same as the M2 variation . That move from the sloped sides to the more straightforward , boxlike pattern has been widely accepted at this stage , even if it makes the laptop look like every other design out there if it were n’t for that Apple logotype on the exterior shell . Dell went the precise opposite way as its competitor . The new XPS design , first introduced two days ago , run low gun for that slop pattern of old MacBook Airs , though with more dramatic business and exceedingly cost engineering that gives it an overall silken look . I like the XPS look more than the MacBook , at least from the outside .
The interior is an alone different story . Whereas Apple is using the eld - old keyboard and trackpad on its M3 MacBooks , Dell came in swinging with a dramatically flat interior , an unseeable trackpad under a huge pane of looking glass , no place between the key , and a touch affair row that turns your volume and smartness buttons into a fake - MacBook Pro 13 mite bar . However , we will say that Dell ’s intent looks a wad better than that of the now - defunct Apple intersection .
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Both feel inflexible under your script , though the MacBook count less at 3.5 pounds versus the XPS ’ 3.8 pound . The MacBook does n’t feel new or unique or even particularly standout to type on , but it ’s hunky-dory with a authoritative suction stop to every key . The XPS keys have slenderly less change of location and find a touch squishier . I could get used to the tactile property of a keyboard without any space between the keys , but I would be middling assuming some ca n’t . There is very little depth to each key , which means your fingers can slide around if you ’re the eccentric of typer who like to trip the light fantastic toe around the keyboard rather than clatter . MacBook ’s Magic keyboard is fine but almost sameness for any ordered Mac drug user . The XPS is revolutionary , for better or regretful .
The “ worse ” in this lawsuit is the touch function rowing . The keys are responsive , and I do n’t mind them for volume or luminance . What I do mind is that the ESC keystone is a pinch button . It ’s a weird thing to dwell on , but it just does n’t feel right-hand . I never by chance pressed the touch subroutine row , but your chemical attraction to glowy objects bet on your liking .
The trackpad on MacBooks is a ok skating rink to skate on , but the XPS is also a very smooth ride . The XPS trackpad is a full glass Elvis that stretch from the Windows key to the odd arrow push button . It ’s larger than Apple ’s , but you ’ll get used to either size . The trackpad on the XPS is a smooth experience than the MacBook , but that does n’t exactly convert the overall experience . Simply put , the Apple experience act and is well-heeled , but the XPS takes getting used to , perhaps even too much .
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Dell XPS Vs. MacBook Pro Performance
It’s a Mixed Bag Either Way
The latest M3 micro chip is indeed a carrying out creature for its size , able to stack up well against the latest CPUs from other chipmakers . The M3 maintain a slight edge over the Intel Core Ultra 7 in both Geekbench and Cinebench score , but not to such a degree that you ’d see any carrying into action difference between both machine unless you ’re doing any sort of rendering tasks . If you were , you should n’t be jumping for the low - end laptop computer anyway and would be well served with the 16 - inch version of either the Dell or Apple .
But what about graphic public presentation ? After all , the XPS can fend for a distinct GPU , so it should sure enough have a upright prison term handling project like light gaming . harmonise to the benchmark scores , it definitely does . In 3-D Mark Wild Life tests , the redundant powerfulness of the laptop computer - gradation 4050 plus 32 GB of RAM does more than twice as well as a cornerstone M3 with 16 GB of RAM . Without accurate constellation , we ca n’t do a 1 - to-1 brain - to - head graphic performance , but while the base M3 is not slouch for some lite gaming , the XPS should do better .
You still wo n’t see the utmost major power on the 14 - inch XPS as you would with a beefier machine . It can handle some graphical project well than MacBook Pros , but in Blender benchmarks , we encounter the MacBook edge out the XPS when rendering a individual conniption . This was a difference of a few second , but if it weigh , the MacBook is a fine - tune up motorcar , and the Arm - based M3 chips do the job far more expeditiously than their base 8 - core central processing unit and 10 - core GPU seems to inculpate .
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
But again , we ’re talking about minute performance dispute that will only count to a select few users . If you need to employ either gimmick for abstemious gaming , the XPS will be better able to handle cross - platform title like Baldur ’s Gate III . Plus , a Windows auto will offer a far easier gaming experience than a Mac , no question about it . You ’d be serve well with either the MacBook Pro or XPS for most moderate tasks and if you ’re only using them for basic productivity , either car check the bill .
Dell XPS Vs. MacBook Pro Battery Life
Nobody Beats Mac on Longevity
There ’s no question : the MacBook Pro with the M3 chip will last far longer than the XPS . Dell ’s laptop will go for perhaps 7 hours doing basic tasks on nonpayment carrying into action preferences before you ’ll need to charge .
MacBooks are renowned for their battery life , and when Apple promises at least 18 hours , they ’re not kidding . The XPS will last you a bare workday so long as you do n’t ask it to do anything exceptional . The MacBook Pro will last you a full working day and an evening on the couch and still have enough juice go out in the cooler to get you through a morning grind . There ’s no comparison . The MacBook bring home the bacon on battery , pass on down .
Dell XPS Vs. MacBook Pro Display and Sound
It’s a Case of OLED Vs. mini-LED
The MacBook Pro uses Apple ’s Liquid Retina XDR video display , which is the company ’s mini - LED formula . It ’s a shining , beautiful showing , same as it ever was . You ca n’t fault the Cupertino , California company for sticking with what work out , though , for good sake , I wish the notch would finally make a refined loss level aright . It ’s also an incredibly shiny covert , with a declared HDR brightness of 1,600 nit and SDR of 1,000 nits . You know what ? It ’s very colorful , and while it does n’t match the deep blacks of OLED , it does a fairly well task of accent colour . Just evaluate by that base wallpaper . It just looks honorable .
The XPS either comes with a 14.5 - in FHD+ exhibit that ’s non - touch , or you’re able to get the OLED that is indeed a touch screen . First , it has a express peak brightness level of 400 nits , so it ’s not like you ’re getting the burnished screen around . But let ’s also allow in that it ’s unnecessary , as the screen is bright enough , considering you ’re here for the excellent colouring dividing line and those inky Black you want from a forward-looking laptop screen .
How far you get with either of these screens depends on predilection . Apple ’s XDR is strong and a recognise amount . You get first-class luminousness and adaptive refresh rate up to 120 Hz . The same goes for the XPS , though Dell ’s laptop supports Dolby Vision for advanced HDR . If you involve OLED , then there ’s only one choice . The XPS also has slightly thinner bezels than the MacBook Pro , and it does n’t have to give any projection screen real land for a stunned notch . Still , you ca n’t go incorrect with either .
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
The XPS does boast some passably loud sound , but even with that , it does n’t have the real surround sound promise . On the other hand , MacBook Pros still sport some excellent sound timbre , whether at 14 or 16 in . liken to the MacBook , the XPS has a somewhat more tinny sound that ’s only noticeable if you flirt both side by side . Apple ’s machine still have an overall edge in levelheaded quality .
Dell XPS Vs. MacBook Pro Pricing Model
Upgrades Will Cost You a Pretty Penny Either Way
The XPS 14 costs $ 1,449 at the al-Qa’ida , while the MacBook Pro 14 require for $ 1,599 . So , does the XPS win ? No . There are only losers here . Many kinfolk have been upset at how Apple ’s upselling modelling lure user to spend nearer to $ 2,000 to insure the twist is a footling more future - proof . Unfortunately , Dell has tried a very similar manoeuvre .
The base MacBook Pro with the regular M3 chip only has 8 GB of RAM . That might do a piffling good than other kinds of breed DDR5 , but it ’s not really future - substantiation by any stretching of the definition . Want 16 GB of unified remembering ? You ’ll need to spend $ 2,000 . Why descend for the nucleotide M3 when you could get the more powerful M3 Pro chip ? Spend $ 2,000 , and you could get that , but wait , you ’ll only have a 512 GB SSD . That does n’t seem like enough , so perhaps you pay $ 2,399 for all that and 18 GB of RAM .
Something similar happens with the XPS . The 14 - inch laptop computer does come in with 16 GB of memory measure , but what if you want an OLED CRT screen ? That will be an extra $ 300 . desire the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 discrete GPU ? An additional $ 300 . Want 1 TB of internal storage ? That ’ll be an extra $ 100 . With all the bells and whistle , both laptop on the spur of the moment pop looking very standardised in price . The base XPS 14 is a good deal at the baseline , especially since it comes with 16 GB of RAM , and at least the SSD upgrade does n’t be closely as much as Apple ’s survival . Without the discrete GPU , you will turn a loss out on some graphic operation , and of course , Apple ’s infrastructure benchmarks are effective than those of Dell ’s .
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
These two laptops require you to pass more , and you credibly should if you expect to use the laptop for more than just one or two year .
The XPS is a Great Machine, But MacBooks Work Too Well to Be Beat by Novelty
TheMacBook Prodoes what it says on the tin . It works , and it shape exceptionally well . The XPS , on the other hand , is a mixed bagful . There are thing you could love and thing you could detest . We said in our review that you need to be all - in on XPS ’ design to make love it ; otherwise , it will fall poor . The MacBook , for better or worse , does n’t have that problem .
Still , you should note each twist ’s price points and determine your elementary exercise . There are far better gaming machines around the same monetary value as the XPS , and the RTX 4050 should n’t be your main grounds for get the laptop . The OLED screen is a bang-up competitor to Apple - sword displays , but again , you must pluck your poison there , especially when you go to see your price balloon with every upgrade . The same get for MacBook Pros , though Apple is probably more egregious .
Ultimately , the XPS wo n’t make any Apple fans away from Tim Cook and Co. For those who desire their next motorcar to match the performance of a MacBook with Windows , you might end up turn out by its standout blueprint . If you ’re on the fence , it ’s best to go with what ’s most well-heeled , not what you might detest in just a few hebdomad .
Want more of Gizmodo ’s consumer electronics picks ? Check out our template to thebest phonesbest laptop computer , best TVs , andbest headphones . If you want to learn about the next magnanimous thing , see our guide toeverything we know about the iPhone 16 .
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