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💻 Dell Pro 16 vs Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5)

AI-powered analysis across 22 matched specifications

Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) business laptop, three-quarter view, graphite finish
Dell Pro 16
Dell
6.6
Overall Score
Best for UK enterprises requiring vPro manageability and expandable hardware
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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) ultraportable laptop in Midnight, open front view
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
Apple
7.5
Overall Score
Best for mobile professionals who prioritise display quality and battery life
View Full Details
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Performance Overview

Scores based on quantifiable specification values (1-10 scale)

PerformanceDisplayBattery & ThermalsManageability & SecurityExpandability & RepairEcosystem & SoftwareValue
Dell Pro 16
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
Performance
Dell Pro 16
6.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
8.5
Display
Dell Pro 16
4.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
9.0
Battery & Thermals
Dell Pro 16
6.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
9.0
Manageability & Security
Dell Pro 16
8.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
7.0
Expandability & Repair
Dell Pro 16
9.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
3.0
Ecosystem & Software
Dell Pro 16
8.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
8.0
Value
Dell Pro 16
5.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
8.0

Detailed Specifications

Specification
Dell Pro 16
Dell
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
Apple
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 5 / 7 (Series 2, vPro optional)Apple M5 — 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU with per-core Neural Accelerators, 16-core Neural Engine
CPU cores--10-core CPU
GraphicsIntel Arc / Graphics integrated10-core GPU with per-core Neural Accelerators
Discrete GPUIntegrated Intel graphicsIntegrated Apple silicon GPU (part of M5 SoC)
Memory & storage
Maximum memory✓Up to 64 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots)Up to 32 GB unified memory (LPDDR5x, 153 GB/s)
Memory typeDDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots)Unified memory (LPDDR5x, 153 GB/s)
Maximum storage2× M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD bays (up to 4 TB total)Up to 4 TB SSD
Display
Display size16.0"15.3"
Resolution1920 × 12002880 × 1864
Brightness250 nits✓500 nits
Panel16.0" FHD+ (1920 × 1200) anti-glare, 250 nits, 16:10Liquid Retina (IPS), P3 wide colour, True Tone
Connectivity
Thunderbolt / USB4 ports2× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, PD, DP1.4)2× Thunderbolt 4
Ports2× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, PD, DP1.4), 2× USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 GbE, microSD, 3.5 mm combo, Smart Card optionalMagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm combo
Physical
Weight (from)From 1.86 kg (4.10 lb)✓1.51 kg (3.3 lb)
Dimensions358.0 × 250.0 × 19.5 mm340.4 × 237.6 × 11.5 mm
Security & management
Intel vProIntel Core Ultra 5 / 7 (Series 2, vPro optional)N/A — Apple silicon (Secure Enclave)
Secured-core PC--N/A — Secured-core PC is a Windows feature; Apple silicon uses the Secure Enclave
Copilot+ PC (40+ TOPS NPU)--N/A — Copilot+ PC is a Windows programme; Apple ships Apple Intelligence
Battery
Battery capacity4-cell 64 Wh (ExpressCharge 1.0)✓66.5 Wh — up to 18 hrs video streaming, 15 hrs wireless browsing
Rated battery lifeExpressCharge 1.0Up to 18 hrs video streaming, 15 hrs wireless browsing
Support
Operating systemWindows 11 Pro / IoT Enterprise LTSC, Ubuntu 24.04 LTSmacOS Tahoe (with Apple Intelligence)
Base warranty1-year ProSupport (extendable to 5-year ProSupport Plus)1-year limited; AppleCare+ for Business extends to 3 years + ADP
Performance
Processor
Dell Pro 16Intel Core Ultra 5 / 7 (Series 2, vPro optional)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Apple M5 — 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU with per-core Neural Accelerators, 16-core Neural Engine
CPU cores
Dell Pro 16--
MacBook Air 15" (M5)10-core CPU
Graphics
Dell Pro 16Intel Arc / Graphics integrated
MacBook Air 15" (M5)10-core GPU with per-core Neural Accelerators
Discrete GPU
Dell Pro 16Integrated Intel graphics
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Integrated Apple silicon GPU (part of M5 SoC)
Memory & storage
Maximum memory
Dell Pro 16Up to 64 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Up to 32 GB unified memory (LPDDR5x, 153 GB/s)
Memory type
Dell Pro 16DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Unified memory (LPDDR5x, 153 GB/s)
Maximum storage
Dell Pro 162× M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD bays (up to 4 TB total)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Up to 4 TB SSD
Display
Display size
Dell Pro 1616.0"
MacBook Air 15" (M5)15.3"
Resolution
Dell Pro 161920 × 1200
MacBook Air 15" (M5)2880 × 1864
Brightness
Dell Pro 16250 nits
MacBook Air 15" (M5)500 nits
Panel
Dell Pro 1616.0" FHD+ (1920 × 1200) anti-glare, 250 nits, 16:10
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Liquid Retina (IPS), P3 wide colour, True Tone
Connectivity
Thunderbolt / USB4 ports
Dell Pro 162× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, PD, DP1.4)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)2× Thunderbolt 4
Ports
Dell Pro 162× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, PD, DP1.4), 2× USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 GbE, microSD, 3.5 mm combo, Smart Card optional
MacBook Air 15" (M5)MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm combo
Physical
Weight (from)
Dell Pro 16From 1.86 kg (4.10 lb)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)1.51 kg (3.3 lb)
Dimensions
Dell Pro 16358.0 × 250.0 × 19.5 mm
MacBook Air 15" (M5)340.4 × 237.6 × 11.5 mm
Security & management
Intel vPro
Dell Pro 16Intel Core Ultra 5 / 7 (Series 2, vPro optional)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)N/A — Apple silicon (Secure Enclave)
Secured-core PC
Dell Pro 16--
MacBook Air 15" (M5)N/A — Secured-core PC is a Windows feature; Apple silicon uses the Secure Enclave
Copilot+ PC (40+ TOPS NPU)
Dell Pro 16--
MacBook Air 15" (M5)N/A — Copilot+ PC is a Windows programme; Apple ships Apple Intelligence
Battery
Battery capacity
Dell Pro 164-cell 64 Wh (ExpressCharge 1.0)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)66.5 Wh — up to 18 hrs video streaming, 15 hrs wireless browsing
Rated battery life
Dell Pro 16ExpressCharge 1.0
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Up to 18 hrs video streaming, 15 hrs wireless browsing
Support
Operating system
Dell Pro 16Windows 11 Pro / IoT Enterprise LTSC, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
MacBook Air 15" (M5)macOS Tahoe (with Apple Intelligence)
Base warranty
Dell Pro 161-year ProSupport (extendable to 5-year ProSupport Plus)
MacBook Air 15" (M5)1-year limited; AppleCare+ for Business extends to 3 years + ADP
★

Expert Analysis

Specs web-verified from manufacturer datasheets · Servnet-reviewed · Last reviewed 26 Jul 2026

For businesses where IT management and hardware expandability are critical, the Dell Pro 16 is the better choice. It offers up to 64 GB of user-upgradeable DDR5 memory, dual M.2 SSD slots for up to 4 TB total storage, and a comprehensive port selection including USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and RJ-45 Ethernet. Optional Intel vPro and a Smart Card slot cater to enterprise security needs. However, its 250-nit, 1920x1200 display and 1.86 kg weight lag behind the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5), which shines with a vibrant 500-nit Liquid Retina panel, a sleek 1.51 kg design, and excellent battery life—up to 18 hours of video streaming from its 66.5 Wh battery. The MacBook Air’s M5 chip delivers strong performance and Apple Intelligence, but its unified memory is capped at 32 GB and soldered shut, limiting future upgrades. Ports are scarce: only two Thunderbolt 4 connectors and a headphone jack. For UK businesses choosing between them, the Dell suits desk-bound power users and IT departments needing serviceability, while the Apple is ideal for mobile executives valuing screen quality and all-day portability.

Dell Pro 16
Best for UK enterprises requiring vPro manageability and expandable hardware
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
Best for mobile professionals who prioritise display quality and battery life

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MacBook Air 15" (M5)
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