Dell
Dell XPS 13 (2025)
Core Ultra 7 · 13.4″ OLED · 1.17 kg
90
/ 100
From $1,399
VS
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) wins by 8
Apple
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
M5 Max · 16.2″ XDR · Up to 128 GB unified
98
/ 100
From $3,499
Specdex verdict
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Dell XPS 13 (2025) lands at 90 and MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) at 98. That puts MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Dell XPS 13 (2025) if…
- ✓Best-in-class 13″ OLED panel
- ✓CNC chassis under 1.2 kg
- ✓Edge-to-edge keyboard
Pick MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) if…
- ✓~18% perf-per-watt uplift over M4 Max
- ✓570 GB/s memory bandwidth
- ✓New Wi-Fi 7 + TB5
Dell XPS 13 (2025) 90
vs 98 MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Score breakdown
Dell XPS 13 (2025)
90 cpu 88
gpu 80
display 96
battery 88
design 95
build 92
portability 0
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
98 cpu 99
gpu 92
display 98
battery 98
design 0
build 0
portability 88
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Dell XPS 13 (2025) | MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.4″ 2.8K OLED, 60Hz | ▲ 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR, 120Hz |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | — |
| GPU | Intel Arc 140V | — |
| RAM | 16 / 32 GB LPDDR5X | ▲ Up to 128 GB unified |
| Storage | ▲ 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB | Up to 8 TB SSD |
| Battery | 55 Wh | ▲ 100 Wh |
| Weight | ▲ 1.17 kg | 2.14 kg |
| Chip | — | Apple M5 Max (16C CPU / 40C GPU) |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
Dell XPS 13 (2025)
Pros
- +Best-in-class 13″ OLED panel
- +CNC chassis under 1.2 kg
- +Edge-to-edge keyboard
Cons
- −Function row capacitive (love or hate)
- −Limited to 2 USB-C ports
- −Webcam still 720p
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Pros
- +~18% perf-per-watt uplift over M4 Max
- +570 GB/s memory bandwidth
- +New Wi-Fi 7 + TB5
Cons
- −Premium pricing unchanged
- −Limited gaming library
- −Ports unchanged
FAQ: Dell XPS 13 (2025) vs MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Which is better, Dell XPS 13 (2025) or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)? +
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Dell XPS 13 (2025) worth the price? +
At $1,399, Dell XPS 13 (2025) delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in display.
Is MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) worth the price? +
At $3,499, MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does Dell XPS 13 (2025) or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.