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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Dell XPS 14 9440: Comparison
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Dell XPS 14 9440 refresh rate compared
Refresh rate is where these two genuinely part company, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 120 Hz against Dell XPS 14 9440 60 Hz, a 50% lead for Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch.
Who each one is for
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the one to take for ML practitioners running memory-hungry local models. The same goes for colorists and 3D artists who want Max-tier GPU in the smaller chassis. Avoid it for anyone who would benefit from the extra thermal headroom of the 16-inch. Buy the Dell XPS 14 9440 for light creative work on the go, though it is not built for RAM upgraders and heavy gaming. Our rating of the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (8.7/10): the 14 inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max has an 18-core CPU, 36GB of unified memory, 2TB of storage and a Liquid Retina XDR display at 1000 nits and 120Hz. Thunderbolt 5 and WiFi 7 in a 1.632 kg body suit colorists and 3D artists who need top GPU performance in a compact frame. Memory and storage are fixed. The smaller chassis also has less thermal room than the 16 inch model, so sustained loads may favor the larger one.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and Dell XPS 14 9440 differ on series id?
Yes. Series ID reads macbook-pro-14-m5 on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch versus dell-xps-14-9440 on the Dell XPS 14 9440.
Is the Laptop Class the same on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and Dell XPS 14 9440?
It is. Both are listed at Thin and Light, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Apple
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Dell
Series
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- MacBook Pro
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- XPS 14
Series ID
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- macbook-pro-14-m5
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- dell-xps-14-9440
SKU Name
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- M5 Max (18-core CPU/32-core GPU) / 36GB / 2TB
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- XPS 14 9440 (Ultra 7 155H, 32GB, 1TB)
Chassis Code
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 14-inch, 2026
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 9440
Region Sold
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Global
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- North America
Laptop Class
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Thin and Light
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Thin and Light
Release Year
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 2026
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 2024
Operating System
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- macOS
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Windows 11 Home
Weight
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 1.632 kgBest
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 1.65 kg
CPU Brand
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Apple
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Intel
CPU Model
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Apple M5 Max (18-core CPU)
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Core Ultra 7 155H
CPU Cores
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 18Best
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 16
GPU Brand
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Apple
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- NVIDIA
GPU Model
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Apple M5 Max GPU (32-core)
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
VRAM
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 0 GB
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 6 GB
Graphics Switching
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Integrated Only
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Optimus
RAM Capacity
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 36 GBBest
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 32 GB
RAM Type
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Unified Memory
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- LPDDR5X
Memory Form Factor
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- On Package Unified
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Soldered
Memory Soldered
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Yes
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Yes
RAM Slots
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 0
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 0
RAM Slots Free
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 0
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 0
Storage Slots
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 0
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 1
Storage Slots Free
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 0
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 0
Storage Form Factor
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Soldered
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- M.2 2280
SATA Bay Present
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- No
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- No
Storage Capacity
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 2000 GBBest
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 1000 GB
Storage Type
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Soldered NVMe
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- NVMe SSD
Display Size
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 14.2 inches
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 14.5 inches
Resolution Width
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 3024 px
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 3200 px
Resolution Height
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 1964 pxBest
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 2000 px
Refresh Rate
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 120 HzBest
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 60 Hz-50%
Panel Type
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Liquid Retina XDR
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- IPS
Brightness Condition
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- SDR Sustained Full Screen
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Vendor Unstated
Touchscreen
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- No
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Yes
Battery Capacity
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- 72.4 WhBest
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- 69.5 Wh
Thunderbolt Support
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- Thunderbolt 5
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- Thunderbolt 4
WiFi Standard
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
- WiFi 7
- Dell XPS 14 9440
- WiFi 6E
Which one should you pick?
Choose Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if you want the higher refresh rate (120 Hz vs 60 Hz).
Choose Dell XPS 14 9440 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | Dell XPS 14 9440 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | |
| Dell Store | View on Dell Store |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
8.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The 14 inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max has an 18-core CPU, 36GB of unified memory, 2TB of storage and a Liquid Retina XDR display at 1000 nits and 120Hz.
Dell XPS 14 9440
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The XPS 14 9440 combines a Core Ultra 7 155H with an RTX 40 series GPU carrying 6GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of LPDDR5X and a 1TB drive.