The MacBook Pro is a solid choice if you prefer MacOS and need solid build quality with great performance for general use and media projects; however, if you need a laptop with touchscreen capabilities and flexibility in how you use it, such as tablet mode for presentations or reading, the HP Spectre x360 with its 360-degree hinge is more versatile. The Spectre also runs Windows, which could be more compatible with a wider range of software, especially for business environments, whereas the MacBook Pro is generally favored for its streamlined design and user experience. If you often work on the go, consider that the portability and battery life of both are commendable, but actual battery performance will depend on your specific usage patterns. 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
Best in class battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 is known for its high-performance CPU and RAM, vibrant screen, and long battery life, making it ideal for everyday tasks, while its light weight enhances its portability. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360 14, also featuring a powerful CPU and sufficient RAM, offers a high-quality screen with the added flexibility of a convertible design, and its superior keyboard and speaker quality enhance the user experience, although it tends to be heavier which could affect portability.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.8/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the HP Spectre x360 14 is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13, with its limited gaming compatibility and average GPU, offers modest performance for 3D applications, but its lower screen refresh rate isn't ideal for immersive gaming experiences. Conversely, the HP Spectre x360 14, while also having an average GPU and refresh rate, allows for a wider selection of games and slightly better 3D performance due to its compatibility with popular gaming titles and more versatile operating system.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.4/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The HP Spectre x360 14 offers a robust combination of CPU, RAM, and GPU that better supports demanding engineering and design tasks, while also providing superior screen quality for precision work. In contrast, the Apple MacBook Pro 13, although highly portable with a quality keyboard and quieter operating noise, may fall short in performance for more intensive applications due to its less powerful hardware configuration.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.7/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
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
8.4/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for software development, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
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
7.6/10
8.6/10
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has high resolution and brightness, and a panel type that delivers crisp and vibrant images suitable for everyday tasks and design work which rely on accurate color representation, but its standard refresh rate limits its use for 3D applications where smoother visuals are key. The HP Spectre x360 14 offers a similar high-resolution display with the added versatility of a convertible design and also excels in color accuracy for professional engineering and design work. However, like the MacBook, it has a standard refresh rate making it less ideal for gaming and 3D modeling, where faster screen updates can provide a competitive edge or smoother rendering.
Battery
20.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 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
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and HP Spectre x360 14 both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the HP Spectre x360 14 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
"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."
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the HP Spectre x360 14
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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