If you prioritize a sleek design and value a strong ecosystem for productivity, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 from 2020 offers superior build quality and excellent software integration, well-suited for general use and professional tasks, but it may not be the best choice for gaming or heavy 3D applications. Conversely, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is tailored for gaming and demanding tasks like 3D rendering or machine learning, thanks to its robust hardware, but it is heavier and might not offer the same battery life or portability as the MacBook Pro, while also being on the pricier side. Consider your primary use—whether it's for work or play, the need for portability, and your budget—to make the best choice. 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 G16
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
7.9/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has an integrated GPU with a standard screen refresh rate, which can handle 3D tasks but is less optimal for high-end gaming, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 includes a dedicated high-performance Nvidia GPU with a much higher screen refresh rate, making it well-suited for both gaming and 3D applications. Additionally, the MacBook runs on macOS, which doesn't support many popular games, unlike the ROG Strix G16 that runs Windows and therefore supports a wider range of gaming titles.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.3/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 surpasses the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) for engineering and design due to its more potent Intel CPU, double the RAM, and a superior NVIDIA GPU, which are crucial for demanding software applications, along with a higher refresh rate screen that benefits detailed visual work. While the MacBook Pro offers excellent portability and silent operation, the ROG Strix G16 provides better overall performance and screen quality, making it very good for such specialized tasks, but it is less portable due to its larger size and weight.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
7.5/10
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
291.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G16 for general use, and engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 is favored for its high-resolution Retina display, which offers crisp visuals and bright colors for both general use and detailed tasks in engineering and design, supported by its wide color gamut that ensures accurate color representation. However, its screen falls short for 3D applications due to a lower refresh rate, which can make fast-moving images less smooth. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a good balance of resolution and panel quality for everyday tasks and engineering work but doesn't excel in gaming and 3D scenarios where higher refresh rates are crucial for fluid motion.
Battery
20.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 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
Fair
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$1,374
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 costs $1,374.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Content Creation
7.8/10
7.9/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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.
Software Development
7.8/10
7.7/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both good for software development.
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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 compare to other laptops
"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."
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the ASUS ROG Strix G16
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.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
103,395
Recommendations made
22,403
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.