Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4) vs Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Laptops comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Choosing between Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4) and Dell XPS 14 (9440) comes up constantly, so we ran both through the same 12-row comparison and our category scoring. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M4 chip adds a 120 Hz mini-LED display, active cooling, an HDMI port and SD card slot over the Air. The Dell XPS 14 brings the zero-lattice keyboard design to a 14.5-inch size with optional RTX 4050 graphics and a 3.2K OLED touchscreen.
Quick verdict
MacBook Pro 14 M4 scores 44 to Dell XPS 14's 34 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for creators who need a brighter, faster display and sustained performance. Dell XPS 14 remains the right call for creators who want XPS design with discrete graphics.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the laptops category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4)
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M4 chip adds a 120 Hz mini-LED display, active cooling, an HDMI port and SD card slot over the Air.
Best for creators who need a brighter, faster display and sustained performance
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
The Dell XPS 14 brings the zero-lattice keyboard design to a 14.5-inch size with optional RTX 4050 graphics and a 3.2K OLED touchscreen.
Best for creators who want XPS design with discrete graphics
Key differences
- Screen size: MacBook Pro 14 M4 14.2" vs Dell XPS 14 14.5" — a preference, not a scored win
- Resolution: MacBook Pro 14 M4 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) vs Dell XPS 14 1920 x 1200 (IPS); 3200 x 2000 OLED optional — a preference, not a scored win
- Processor: MacBook Pro 14 M4 Apple M4 (10-core) vs Dell XPS 14 Intel Core Ultra 7 155H — a preference, not a scored win
- Graphics: MacBook Pro 14 M4 Integrated 10-core (M4) vs Dell XPS 14 Intel Arc (integrated); RTX 4050 optional — a preference, not a scored win
- Ports: MacBook Pro 14 M4 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm vs Dell XPS 14 3x Thunderbolt 4, microSD, 3.5 mm — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | Dell XPS 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.2" | 14.5" |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) | 1920 x 1200 (IPS); 3200 x 2000 OLED optional |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.68 kg |
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Base SSD | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Graphics | Integrated 10-core (M4) | Intel Arc (integrated); RTX 4050 optional |
| Rated battery life | 24 h | 12 h |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm | 3x Thunderbolt 4, microSD, 3.5 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,599 | $1,499 |
Display: MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs Dell XPS 14 Score: MacBook Pro 14 M4 59 · Dell XPS 14 59
MacBook Pro 14 M4: 14.2". Dell XPS 14: 14.5". Neither is scored, but a bigger screen helps multitasking but adds bulk to your bag. The two differ on resolution (3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) against 1920 x 1200 (IPS); 3200 x 2000 OLED optional), and resolution and panel type decide how sharp text looks and how good the colours are for creative work.
Both list 120 Hz for refresh rate, so nothing separates them here.
Portability: MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs Dell XPS 14 Score: MacBook Pro 14 M4 24 · Dell XPS 14 18
On weight, MacBook Pro 14 M4 keeps it to 1.55 kg while Dell XPS 14 lists 1.68 kg. That 0.13 kg edge counts since every hundred grams matters if the laptop lives in a backpack.
Performance: MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs Dell XPS 14 Score: MacBook Pro 14 M4 38 · Dell XPS 14 38
The two differ on processor (Apple M4 (10-core) against Intel Core Ultra 7 155H), and the processor sets single-core snappiness and multi-core rendering speed. RAM is identical at 16 GB.
On base SSD the two match exactly (512 GB). The two differ on graphics (Integrated 10-core (M4) against Intel Arc (integrated); RTX 4050 optional), and graphics decide whether the laptop can handle gaming and GPU-accelerated video editing.
Battery: MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs Dell XPS 14 Score: MacBook Pro 14 M4 85 · Dell XPS 14 18
MacBook Pro 14 M4 offers 24 h of rated battery life while Dell XPS 14 stops at 12 h; the 12 h gap matters because the manufacturer's rating is optimistic, but it is still useful for relative comparison.
Ports: MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs Dell XPS 14
MacBook Pro 14 M4: 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm. Dell XPS 14: 3x Thunderbolt 4, microSD, 3.5 mm. Neither is scored, but port selection decides how many dongles you carry.
Value: MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs Dell XPS 14 Score: MacBook Pro 14 M4 26 · Dell XPS 14 35
For operating system, MacBook Pro 14 M4 uses macOS whereas Dell XPS 14 goes with Windows 11. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the OS determines software compatibility and how the laptop fits with your phone.
Dell XPS 14 is better on launch price (USD) at $1,499 against $1,599, a $100 difference; lower is better because launch price is the cleanest baseline for value.
Pros and cons
MacBook Pro 14 M4
Pros
- 120 Hz Liquid Retina XDR display
- HDMI and SD card slot
- Up to 24 hours of battery
- Better weight (1.55 kg)
- Better rated battery life (24 h)
Cons
- Weaker launch price (USD) ($1,599)
Dell XPS 14
Pros
- Optional RTX 4050 graphics
- 3.2K OLED touch option
- Premium CNC aluminium build
- Better weight (1.68 kg)
- Better rated battery life (12 h)
Cons
- Weaker launch price (USD) ($1,499)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4) for…
Creators who need a brighter, faster display and sustained performance. It stands out for 120 hz liquid retina xdr display, hdmi and sd card slot, up to 24 hours of battery.
Choose Dell XPS 14 (9440) for…
Creators who want XPS design with discrete graphics. It stands out for optional rtx 4050 graphics, 3.2k oled touch option, premium cnc aluminium build.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4) finishes ahead, 44 to 34. It is the better buy for creators who need a brighter, faster display and sustained performance; for creators who want XPS design with discrete graphics, Dell XPS 14 still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another laptop
Frequently asked questions
Is MacBook Pro 14 M4 better than Dell XPS 14?
On the VersusAnything Score, MacBook Pro 14 M4 finishes ahead 44 to 34. That makes MacBook Pro 14 M4 the better overall pick for creators who need a brighter, faster display and sustained performance, while Dell XPS 14 is still the right choice for creators who want XPS design with discrete graphics.
What is the biggest difference between MacBook Pro 14 M4 and Dell XPS 14?
The largest gap is screen size: MacBook Pro 14 M4 lists 14.2" while Dell XPS 14 lists 14.5". A bigger screen helps multitasking but adds bulk to your bag.
Which is cheaper, MacBook Pro 14 M4 or Dell XPS 14?
Dell XPS 14 is cheaper on launch price (USD): $1,499 against $1,599 for MacBook Pro 14 M4. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Dell XPS 14 over MacBook Pro 14 M4?
Dell XPS 14 is the better fit for creators who want XPS design with discrete graphics. Its strongest points are optional rtx 4050 graphics, 3.2k oled touch option, premium cnc aluminium build.
Sources
- MacBook Pro 14 M4: Apple product page (manufacturer)
- Dell XPS 14: Dell XPS page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.