MacBook Pro with M1 and XPS 13 2021 are two rival high-end laptops in the market. While the first comes with Apple’s manufacturing chip, Dell’s laptop, which recently arrived in the country, brings Intel’s 11th generation Core i7 processor and Iris Xe integrated card. The price of the MacBook Pro with M1 starts at $1,889 on Amazon, while the “entry-level” option of the XPS 13 costs $1,570.
Both are 13-inch models, but have important differences, such as the up to 4K resolution of the ultra-thin with Windows versus the rival’s 2560 x 1600 pixels and the promise of up to 20 hours of battery life for the Apple model, while Dell does not disclose an estimated autonomy. See below for more details about the two laptops and find out which one is best for you.
MacBook Pro M1 vs Dell XPS 13 2021
| Specifications | MacBook Pro M1 | Dell XPS 13 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | from $1,889 | from $1,570 |
| Screen | 13.3 inches | 13.4 inches |
| Screen resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels | 1920 x 1200 pixels or 3840 x 2600 pixels |
| Processor | Apple M1 | Intel Core i7 1185G7 |
| RAM | 8 GB (soldered) | 16GB (removable) |
| Video card | Apple M1 | Iris Xe |
| Storage | 256 or 512 GB (soldered) | 1TB NVMe SSD (removable) |
| Ports and interfaces | two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, headphones, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 | two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, headphones, microSD reader, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 30.4 x 21.2 x 1.5 cm | 29.5 x 19.8 x 1.4 cm |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.2 kg |
Design
Both laptops bet on modern design with a focus on portability: while the Dell weighs 1.2 kg, the MacBook Pro goes to 1.4 kg. Besides lightness, the two products also matched in the use of higher quality materials, such as metal construction and, in the case of the XPS 13, palmrest with carbon fiber texture.
A point of attention for those considering buying either of the two are the interfaces since neither of them stands out on this point. Dell’s model comes with two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 – one of which is sacrificed for charging the laptop -, headphone jack and microSD card reader.
On the MacBook Pro with M1 are also two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, again with the need to dedicate one of them for charging. Although it offers headphone output, the Pro, unlike the Dell, does not have any kind of built-in memory card reader. In both cases, video output to connect the laptop to external monitors is via USB-C, requiring adapters to connect via HDMI or DisplayPort.
Screen
As for the display, Apple’s MacBook Pro has a unique display specification: it is 13.3 inches in 16:10 aspect ratio and a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. On Dell’s side, the XPS 13 offers more variation: the consumer finds the laptop with both a 13.4″ display of 1920 x 1200 pixels (Full HD+, therefore), as well as with 3840 x 2400 pixels (4K+).
Dell also uses the same 16:10 screen aspect ratio as Apple, which ensures better use of screen space and a display with more vertical space. One difference, however, is that in the case of the XPS 13 with a 4K+ display there is support for touch interaction on the monitor, something that does not exist on the MacBook.
Performance
The performance comparison between the two products is based on the difference in processors. The latest MacBook Pro runs on the M1, a CPU developed by Apple itself with ARM architecture used in cell phones. The Dell product, on the other hand, relies on Intel ultra-portable processors.
According to available performance comparison data, Apple’s processor is even faster than Intel’s units intended for mobile workstations and even gamer processors – these in turn, far superior to the Core i7 1185G7 found in the XPS 13.
In February, Intel even released a battery of tests that showed the Core i7 1185G7 and its 11th generation counterparts to be faster than the M1. While the results pointed out by Intel are credible, most of the scenarios in which the chip excels have to do with specific usage scenarios that don’t always occur in users’ reality.
Following the datasheet, the MacBook Pro 13 can be found with 8 GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB of storage, but on the official apple store, the user can purchase more memory and space, going up to 16 GB and 2 TB in SSD.
On Dell’s side, the XPS 13 comes bundled with 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of space in removable NVMe – unlike Apple, which persists in soldering components into the computer. In terms of graphics, the XPS 13 uses an integrated Iris Xe card, while the M1 takes advantage of Apple’s technology built into the M1.
Battery
Several reasons may have moved Apple to abandon Intel products with x86 technology, and one of them may have been battery life. Using an ARM processor, the MacBook Pro can run for up to 20 hours, according to the company.
Dell, on the other hand, is reticent in terms of battery life for the XPS 13. What is known is the maintenance of the 52 Wh (Watts-hour) unit present in the previous generation. Maintaining the XPS 13’s 2020 battery life window, the new laptop could run for up to 14 hours.
Extra Features
There is another big difference between MacBook Pro and XPS: the operating system. While the MacBook runs macOS, the Dell product comes with Windows 10. With the use of the new processor architecture, this distinction is even greater, as computers with M1 are compatible with apps for iOS, expanding the supply of apps and games for Apple’s system. In addition, the laptop maintains support for software developed for the older hardware.
On Dell’s side, Windows 10 is the same as what the consumer is used to, and this means the traditional usability of the platform, as well as good software availability. Although not the same, Dell offers a smartphone continuity feature that allows you to perform some cell phone activities on the XPS 13, and vice versa, using the brand’s Mobile Connect.
The two computers are also similar in biometrics features, as both have fingerprint readers for user authentication against the system.
Pricing and Availability
The new-generation XPS 13 is available for purchase on Amazon for $1,570. While the Apple Macbook Pro with M1 is also available for purchase for $1,889.
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