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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 with its M1 chip is great for general use and offers longer battery life and higher build quality, making it especially suited for productivity tasks that benefit from a higher-resolution screen and light design for portability. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix G15, equipped with an AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia graphics, is tailored for intense gaming, 3D rendering and engineering, delivering robust performance but at the expense of battery life and with added weight. Both are priced similarly, so your decision should hinge on whether your priority is gaming and high-performance tasks or portability and battery life for everyday computing. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.0
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020), with its Apple M1 GPU and 60Hz screen refresh rate, is adequate for 3D applications but not ideal for gaming, especially because many popular games aren't available for MacOS. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz, making it well-suited for both gaming and 3D tasks on Windows.
Software Development
7.8
7.2
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS ROG Strix G15 are both good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.6
7.1
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
284.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G15 for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G15 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, the MacBook Pro's high-resolution Retina display offers crisp text and images, with brightness levels that enhance visibility in various lighting conditions, while the ASUS ROG Strix G15's display provides a decent visual experience but may not be as sharp or bright. In engineering and design, the MacBook Pro shines with a wide color gamut, allowing for more accurate color representation, which is crucial for detailed work, whereas the ASUS has respectable color coverage but may not match the MacBook's range. When considering 3D work, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 falls behind due to its lower refresh rate, which is less ideal for the smooth rendering of fast-motion graphics required in 3D applications, while the MacBook Pro, despite its high resolution and quality panel, also isn't optimized for high-refresh-rate needs typical in 3D usage.
Battery
20.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix G15 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.7
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
284.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G15 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is praised for its high-quality keyboard, speakers, and manages heat well with silent operation, making it a comfortable choice for general use; it also boasts strong battery life and excellent screen color accuracy, appropriate for diverse tasks in various environments.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.6
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G15 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is favored for engineering and design largely due to the high-quality screen and its efficient Apple M1 chip that offers silent operation and long battery life, but with less RAM and GPU power compared to some competitors.
Content Creation
7.8
7.7
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS ROG Strix G15 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Cost
$1,249
$1,249
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the ASUS ROG Strix G15 costs $1,249.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the ASUS ROG Strix G15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) | ASUS ROG Strix G15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,249 | $1,249 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | May 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | 13.9'' x 10.2'' x 0.92'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 13.94" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 20 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58.2 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 284 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.3/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | No Webcam | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
ASUS ROG Strix G15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marius Schell | February 2021
"The ASUS ROG Strix G15 is a successful high-performance 15-inch laptop. The Asus ROG Strix impresses with an elaborate design and fast hardware. The latter can unleash its potential well in the large 15-inch case and achieve a decent performance boost compared to the previous generation. Especially the stunning 300 Hz display as well as the RTX 3070 and its generous TDP give gamers their money's worth. Asus didn't neglect seemingly small details, either, such as the keyboard and the maintenance options. The ROG Strix G15 offers a lot of pure performance and excellent workmanship in a 15-inch format, but connectivity leaves something to be desired."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the ASUS ROG Strix G15
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the laptop team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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