Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 vs Dell XPS 15 OLED
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 2025 | Dell XPS 15 OLED 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.3" | 15.6" (Better) |
| Resolution | 2880×1864 | 3456×2160 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 | 261 (Better) |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm | 33cm (Better) |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 20 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG (Better) |
| HDR Certification | None | DisplayHDR True Black 500 |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits (Better) | 400 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits (Better) | 500 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,600 | 1:1,000,000 (Better) |
| Ports | 0x HDMI · 0x DP · USB-C | 0x HDMI · 0x DP · USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W | 130 W (Better) |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% · Adobe RGB 96% (Better) |
| Year | 2025 (Better) | 2023 |
Summary
The Dell XPS 15 OLED has higher pixel density (261 PPI), making it sharper at close range.
The Dell XPS 15 OLED allows sitting closer (33cm) while maintaining retina quality.
The Dell XPS 15 OLED offers a larger 15.6" display for more immersive viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 or Dell XPS 15 OLED?
The Dell XPS 15 OLED has 261 PPI compared to 224 PPI for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M4.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Dell XPS 15 OLED requires 33cm vs 39cm for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 to reach retina quality.
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
Last updated:
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