Dell Latitude 5420 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
The real choice here is the system: the Dell Latitude 5420 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch runs macOS. Beyond that, the Dell Latitude 5420 is lighter and is more compact, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch lasts longer on a charge and has a bigger screen.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Performance
Evenly matched
Both stay smooth with lots of apps open, with 16 GB of memory each.
-
Gaming
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch's AMD Radeon Pro 5300M manages light and older games, while the Dell Latitude 5420's built-in graphics isn't made for games.
-
Display
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the better screen: 16" 3K 500 nits against 14" Full HD.
-
Battery life
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch should last longer: a 99.8 Wh battery against a 42 Wh battery.
-
Connectivity
Dell Latitude 5420 wins
The Dell Latitude 5420 is better connected. Only it has HDMI, a card reader and Ethernet.
-
Portability
Dell Latitude 5420 wins
The Dell Latitude 5420 is easier to carry at 1.37 kg, against 2 kg.
Other differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the Dell Latitude 5420 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch runs macOS. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the bigger screen (16" against 14"), while the Dell Latitude 5420 is more compact.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Dell Latitude 5420 if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.37 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14-inch screen.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors), an SD card reader (for camera cards) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You want more room to work: its 16-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
Full spec comparison
The Dell Latitude 5420 leads on ports and wireless, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch leads on the screen.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Dell Latitude 5420 is ahead on performance.
It can be upgraded, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Core i5-1135G7 | Intel Core i7-9750H |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M + Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics memory | — | 4 GB |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe M.2 (2230 or 2280) | — |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the bigger screen (16" against 14"), while the Dell Latitude 5420 is more compact. The Dell Latitude 5420 is more compact, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has a bigger screen and has a sharper screen.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 16" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | 3K (3072 x 1920) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | — | 500 nits |
| Colour range | — | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Matte | — |
| Touchscreen | — | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Dell Latitude 5420 is lighter, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch lasts longer on a charge and is slimmer.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 42 Wh | 99.8 Wh |
| Charger | — | 96 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.37 kg | 2 kg |
| Dimensions | 321.35 x 212 x 19.3-20.9 mm | 357.9 x 245.9 x 16.2 mm |
| Materials | PC+ABS | — |
| Colour | Silver | Space Grey |
| Colours available | — | Silver, Space Gray |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Dell Latitude 5420 has HDMI, an SD card reader and Ethernet and has Wi-Fi 6, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare), 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB4, Power Delivery charging), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x universal 3.5 mm audio, 1x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, 1x microSD, 1x wedge-shaped lock slot | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C; all four charge, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 3 |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 4 |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | — | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | — | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Keyboard | Extended single-point keyboard, UK layout 80 keys, 18.05 mm key pitch | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 65 (US) / 66 (ISO) keys, inverted-T arrows, Touch Bar, ambient light sensor |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Clickpad, 115 x 67 mm, >=300 dpi | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Force clicks, Multi-Touch) |
| Speakers | 2x stereo speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak | Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | dual-array | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0 (discrete), wedge-shaped lock slot | — |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | macOS |
| Released | 2021 | 2019 |