Laptops
MacBook Pro M4 vs Dell XPS 15
MacBook Pro M4 and Dell XPS 15 are both premium creator laptops, but they point in different directions. MacBook Pro M4 is better for battery life, display quality, macOS, Apple silicon, and video work. Dell XPS 15 is stronger for Windows users, NVIDIA graphics, upgradeable configurations, and classic PC workflows.
Last updated: June 7, 2026
Apple
MacBook Pro M4
A 14-inch Apple laptop built with the M4 chip, Liquid Retina XDR display, long battery life, advanced media engines, and macOS performance.
VS
Dell
Dell XPS 15
A premium Windows creator laptop built with Intel Core H-series processors, optional NVIDIA RTX graphics, a 15.6-inch display, and classic PC flexibility.
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Specifications
Pros & Cons
MacBook Pro M4 — Pros
✓Better battery life for most creator and professional users
✓Liquid Retina XDR display is excellent for HDR, color work, and bright environments
✓M4 chip and media engines are strong for video editing and Apple creative apps
✓Starts with 16GB unified memory in the M4 generation
✓Better fit if you already use iPhone, iPad, AirDrop, iCloud, Apple Watch, or Final Cut Pro
MacBook Pro M4 — Cons
✕Less flexible if you need Windows-first software or specialist PC tools
✕Unified memory and storage must be chosen carefully at purchase
✕Gaming support is weaker than a Windows laptop with NVIDIA graphics
✕External GPU and internal upgrade options are limited compared with classic PC expectations
✕More expensive once memory and storage upgrades are added
Dell XPS 15 — Pros
✓Better fit for Windows-only software and corporate PC workflows
✓Optional NVIDIA RTX 4050, 4060, or 4070 Laptop GPU configurations are useful for GPU-heavy Windows tasks
✓More familiar for users who rely on Microsoft, Dell, Windows, and PC peripherals
✓15.6-inch display gives more built-in screen space than the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4
✓SD card slot, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-C make it practical for creator setups
Dell XPS 15 — Cons
✕Dell's current product page shows XPS 15 as unavailable
✕Battery life is not the main reason to choose it over MacBook Pro M4
✕720p webcam feels dated beside Apple's newer 12MP Center Stage camera
✕Heavier than the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4
✕Older 13th Gen Intel platform is less future-facing than newer Dell XPS models
Best used for
✦Edit 4K video in Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or iMovie with Apple silicon media engines
✦Work on color-sensitive projects using the Liquid Retina XDR display and HDR support
✦Build iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps in Xcode
✦Run long writing, coding, teaching, design, and editing sessions away from the charger
✦Use macOS apps such as Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Affinity, Figma, and Notion
✦Connect Thunderbolt accessories, external displays, SD cards, HDMI displays, and MagSafe charging
Best used for
✦Run Windows-first apps such as AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, Visual Studio, Power BI, and specialised business tools
✦Use NVIDIA RTX graphics for CUDA-supported creative, AI, rendering, and GPU-accelerated workflows
✦Edit photos and videos in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve on Windows
✦Connect SD cards, Thunderbolt 4 accessories, USB-C displays, docks, and external storage
✦Choose higher RAM and SSD configurations if buying from a suitable reseller or refurbished listing
✦Use a familiar Windows laptop setup for school, engineering, architecture, business, and corporate IT environments
⚖️
Our Verdict
MacBook Pro M4 is usually the better fit for most modern creators who don't need Windows. It gives you stronger battery life, a better display, quieter performance, Apple silicon media engines, macOS, and a cleaner setup for video, coding, design, writing, and Apple device workflows. Dell XPS 15 is usually the better fit if your work depends on Windows, NVIDIA graphics, Microsoft-heavy environments, engineering software, or classic PC flexibility. But there is a catch: XPS 15 is no longer the obvious current Dell buy in 2026. Pick MacBook Pro M4 for the safer premium laptop. Pick XPS 15 only if Windows and NVIDIA support matter more than buying the newest platform.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose MacBook Pro M4 if...
→You want macOS, Apple silicon, and strong battery life
→You edit video in Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or iMovie
→You care about display quality, HDR, brightness, and color-sensitive work
→You use iPhone, iPad, AirDrop, iCloud, Apple Watch, or other Apple devices
→You want a lighter laptop with better webcam quality
→You don't rely on Windows-only software or NVIDIA CUDA workflows
Choose Dell XPS 15 if...
→You need Windows for work, school, engineering, architecture, or business software
→You rely on NVIDIA RTX graphics for CUDA, rendering, AI, or GPU-accelerated apps
→You prefer a larger 15.6-inch built-in screen
→You want a familiar Dell laptop for corporate or Microsoft-heavy environments
→You find a strong refurbished or discounted XPS 15 configuration
→You prefer classic PC laptop flexibility over Apple's unified memory approach
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is MacBook Pro M4 or Dell XPS 15 better in 2026?
A: MacBook Pro M4 is better for most premium laptop buyers because it has stronger battery life, a better display, Apple silicon efficiency, and a more current feel. Dell XPS 15 is better if you specifically need Windows, NVIDIA graphics, or PC-only software.
Q: Is Dell XPS 15 still worth buying in 2026?
A: Yes, but only at the right price and configuration. Dell's official page shows XPS 15 as unavailable, so it is not the cleanest new-buy option. It can still make sense refurbished or discounted if you need Windows and NVIDIA graphics.
Q: Which is better for video editing, MacBook Pro M4 or Dell XPS 15?
A: MacBook Pro M4 is usually better for battery-powered editing, Final Cut Pro, ProRes workflows, HDR display quality, and quieter performance. Dell XPS 15 is better if your editing workflow depends on Windows, NVIDIA acceleration, or specific Adobe/DaVinci plug-ins.
Q: Which is better for engineering or architecture software?
A: Dell XPS 15 is usually the safer pick if your software is Windows-first. AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, Power BI, Visual Studio, and many corporate tools are often simpler on Windows. MacBook Pro M4 is excellent, but software compatibility comes first.
Q: Does MacBook Pro M4 have better battery life than Dell XPS 15?
A: Yes, battery life is one of the main reasons to choose MacBook Pro M4. Apple lists up to 24 hours of video playback for the M4 MacBook Pro generation. XPS 15 has strong configurations, but battery life is not its biggest advantage.
Q: Which laptop has the better display?
A: MacBook Pro M4 has the stronger display for most creative users. Its Liquid Retina XDR screen supports high brightness, HDR, and ProMotion up to 120Hz. Dell XPS 15 can have good display options, but the checked official FHD+ spec is 60Hz.
Q: Should I buy MacBook Pro M4 or a newer Dell XPS instead of XPS 15?
A: If you want a current Dell laptop, compare MacBook Pro M4 with newer XPS 14 or XPS 16 models too. XPS 15 is still relevant as a discounted Windows creator laptop, but it is not Dell's freshest premium XPS option in 2026.
Sources & References
Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.
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