How does the battery life of the MacBook Pro M4 compare to the Dell XPS 15

MacBook Pro M4 Series

The MacBook Pro M4 series, particularly the 16-inch model with the M4 Pro chip, has shown exceptional battery life. In tests conducted by Tom's Guide, the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro achieved an impressive 20 hours and 46 minutes of battery life under a web surfing and video playback test at 150 nits of screen brightness[1]. Apple claims that these new MacBook Pros can achieve up to 24 hours of battery life in certain conditions, such as video streaming tests[3]. However, real-world usage might vary, with some users reporting around 8-9 hours during tasks like web streaming and light work[4].

Dell XPS 15

The Dell XPS 15, on the other hand, has shown more variable battery life across different models. The 2023 Dell XPS 15 OLED model lasted for about 8 hours and 58 minutes in a web surfing test at 150 nits of screen brightness[2]. Another model, the XPS 15 9530 (2023), was reported to have more than 14 hours of battery life when playing a locally stored video at 50% brightness[8]. However, some users have experienced significantly shorter battery life, such as around 7 to 7.5 hours under typical usage[10].

Comparison

In general, the MacBook Pro M4 series, especially the larger models with the M4 Pro chip, offer significantly longer battery life compared to the Dell XPS 15. The MacBook Pro's efficiency is largely due to Apple's M-series chips, which are designed for power efficiency and performance. The Dell XPS 15, while capable, tends to have shorter battery life, especially in more demanding tasks or when using its OLED display at higher brightness settings.

Overall, if battery life is a top priority, the MacBook Pro M4 series is likely a better choice. However, the Dell XPS 15 offers other advantages, such as its OLED display and potentially lower cost, which might make it preferable for users with different priorities.