If you prioritize performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering, the MSI Raider GE77Hx would be the better choice as it features a more robust processor and graphics card. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for portability compared to the MacBook Pro 13 (2020). The MacBook is lighter and offers a longer battery life, great for general use and mobility. It runs silently and operates well for general tasks and entertainment purposes. The MacBook is usually less expensive and suits those who prefer macOS, while the MSI, which runs Windows 11 Pro, might be a bit more expensive. Both have high-quality keyboards and displays, but the MSI Raider has a larger screen and better suited for gaming. 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 MSI Raider GE77Hx
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
8.7/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020), despite having a capable Apple M1 GPU, is limited by its less powerful integrated graphics and lower screen refresh rate, which make it less suitable for demanding 3D applications and games that are not compatible with macOS.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.8/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The MSI Raider GE77Hx, with its high-performance CPU and dedicated GPU, is superior for computational and graphic-heavy engineering and design tasks compared to the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020), which offers an integrated GPU and less computing power. However, the MacBook Pro's advantage lies in its superior portability and screen quality, balancing the power-tradeoff with greater ease of use on-the-go and excellent display characteristics.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
8.4/10
13.3in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE77Hx has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for general use, gaming and AI, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) provides a high-resolution Retina display with bright and vibrant colors, which, along with premium IPS panel technology, makes for excellent viewing experiences in general use and detailed visual representation important for engineering and design work, but it lags behind in refresh rate, which is critical for smooth rendering in 3D applications. The MSI Raider GE77Hx also boasts a high-resolution display and covers a wide range of the color spectrum, making it well-suited for general use and professional work where color accuracy is key, yet, despite being geared towards gaming, it falls short in providing the high refresh rates needed for optimal 3D gaming experiences. These tradeoffs highlight the importance of understanding specific user needs, as a screen that excels in one area may underperform in another, especially when balancing resolution, color fidelity, and the ability to deliver fluid motion in fast-paced 3D environments.
Battery
20.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE77Hx 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
Poor
13.3in
SIZE
17.3in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability, while the MSI Raider GE77Hx has poor 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 MSI Raider GE77Hx 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
$2,140
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the MSI Raider GE77Hx costs $2,140.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE77Hx to be very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) offers a solid balance for general use with its efficient Apple M1 CPU and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, and it excels in portability with its lightweight build and extended battery life, combined with a high-quality screen and a silent, fanless design.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.2/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE77Hx to be 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
7.9/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the MSI Raider GE77Hx 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."
"The MSI Raider GE77 offers a lot of power for a lot of money. The main components consist of a Core i9-12900HX CPU, a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU (175 watts TGP, 16 GB VRAM), and 64 GB of RAM, which makes for a high overall performance level. The GeForce GPU in particular scores some of the highest scores we have seen from this chip. Both the CPU and the GPU are able to run at continuously high clock speeds. The relatively high heat and noise emissions match our expectations for this device class. With approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours, the battery life is good for a powerful 4K laptop."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the MSI Raider GE77Hx
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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