The display quality of the MacBook Pro M4 and the Dell XPS 15 differ in several key aspects:
Display Technology and Resolution
- MacBook Pro M4: It features a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a native resolution of 3024 x 1964 pixels. This display uses mini-LED backlight technology, which provides excellent contrast and brightness. The Liquid Retina XDR display supports up to 1 billion colors and offers a high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, along with peak brightness of up to 1600 nits for HDR content[1][5].- Dell XPS 15: Typically, the XPS 15 comes with a 15.6-inch display, often featuring an OLED panel with a resolution of 3456 x 2160 pixels. The OLED technology offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, but it generally has a lower peak brightness compared to the MacBook Pro's XDR display[4][6].
Brightness and HDR Support
- MacBook Pro M4: The display is exceptionally bright, making it suitable for outdoor use and HDR content viewing. It can sustain up to 1000 nits for standard content and reach up to 1600 nits for HDR, which is significantly brighter than most laptops[1][5].- Dell XPS 15: While the XPS 15's OLED display provides excellent color accuracy and contrast, its peak brightness is generally lower, typically around 400 nits for OLED models and up to 500 nits for non-OLED options[2][3].
Color Accuracy and Gamut
- MacBook Pro M4: The display supports a wide color gamut, specifically the P3 color space, which is ideal for creative professionals. It offers accurate color representation, making it suitable for tasks requiring precise color accuracy[1][5].- Dell XPS 15: The XPS 15, especially with its OLED panel, covers a wide range of colors, including 100% of the Adobe RGB gamut, which is excellent for graphic design and video editing tasks[4][6].
Refresh Rate and Viewing Angles
- MacBook Pro M4: The display features ProMotion technology, allowing for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. This provides a smoother visual experience, especially in dynamic content. Additionally, the nano-texture option enhances viewing angles and reduces glare[1][8].- Dell XPS 15: The XPS 15 typically has a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz, which is standard for most laptops. While it offers good viewing angles due to its IPS or OLED technology, it doesn't match the MacBook Pro's adaptive refresh rate capabilities[4][6].
In summary, the MacBook Pro M4 offers superior brightness, HDR support, and adaptive refresh rates, making it ideal for users who prioritize these features. The Dell XPS 15 excels in color accuracy and gamut coverage, making it a strong choice for creative professionals who value precise color representation.
Citations:[1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121552
[2] https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-15-9500-laptop/xps-15-9500-setup-and-specifications/display?guid=guid-73e1ca36-2dcd-41d4-b0bd-abbae75a1deb&lang=en-us
[3] https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-15-7590-laptop/xps-15-7590-setup-and-specifications/display?guid=guid-b5960c74-4eef-48f9-9b5f-382cfd4ae103&lang=en-us
[4] https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/apple-macbook-pro-14-max-vs-dell-xps-15/
[5] https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/tech/a62828298/apple-m4-macbook-pro-review/
[6] https://www.theverge.com/21296277/dell-xps-15-2020-review-design-specs-price-features
[7] https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-15-9520-laptop/xps-15-9520-setup-and-specifications/display?guid=guid-5579fc11-9b22-44fa-ba0d-ae67ba34e9f8&lang=en-us
[8] https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/macbooks/the-new-macbook-pro-m4-is-a-game-changer-for-how-i-work-and-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-apple-intelligence
[9] https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/
[10] https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-15-9560-laptop/xps-15-9560-setupandspecifications/display?guid=guid-46314082-554f-45a1-914e-66758c9adf96&lang=en-us
[11] https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/dell-xps-15-vs-macbook-pro-16/