When comparing the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the ASUS ROG Flow X16, you're looking at two laptops tailored for different preferences and use cases. The MacBook Pro offers a lighter and slimmer design, with fanless operation that ensures silent use, perfect for general use and productivity on the go, with the reliability of macOS ideal for everyday computing and creative work that's not graphically intensive. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, being bulkier, comes with a high-performance AMD processor and Nvidia RTX graphics for demanding tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning projects; the screen also supports higher refresh rates, enhancing gaming and video experiences, and it doubles as a tablet, adding versatility. However, this performance comes at the cost of heavier weight and shorter battery life, making it less ideal for those prioritizing portability and longevity on a single charge. 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 (2022)
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Best in class battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
7.6/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 with its integrated Apple M2 GPU is not designed for high-end gaming, which often requires a more powerful dedicated GPU like the Nvidia RTX 3060 found in the ASUS ROG Flow X16, and it has a standard screen refresh rate that is fine for general use but lower than the gaming-optimized high refresh rate of the ROG Flow X16, which enhances fast-paced gaming experiences. Additionally, most popular games aren't compatible with macOS, limiting gaming options on the MacBook Pro 13, whereas the ROG Flow X16's Windows 11 operating system supports a wider range of gaming titles.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
8.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a stronger CPU and GPU, translating into very good engineering and design capabilities, and its larger, high-quality touchscreen is beneficial for creative tasks. Conversely, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a highly capable CPU and good GPU for most tasks, it emphasizes portability and silent operation, making it suitable for engineering work but falling slightly behind in performance compared with the ASUS.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 13 has a high-resolution, bright display with a panel that renders colors beautifully, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers similar qualities, making both excellent for everyday tasks and media consumption. In engineering and design, the MacBook Pro's wide color gamut ensures accurate color representation, which is critical for professional work, and the ASUS matches this with its own wide color coverage. However, for 3D applications, where high refresh rates are paramount, both the MacBook Pro and the ASUS fall short, as they prioritize resolution and color accuracy over the faster screen updates needed for smooth 3D rendering and gaming.
Battery
20.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Flow X16 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
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,219
$1,300
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 costs $1,300.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) with its Apple M2 chip, 8GB RAM, and 20-hour battery life offers a balance of strong performance for general use tasks and excellent portability, complemented by a high-quality IPS screen and silent operation. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, despite being heavier and having a shorter battery life, provides more power with an AMD Ryzen 9 and RTX 3060, double the RAM at 16GB, superior screen quality with touch functionality and is a 2-in-1 convertible which adds versatility for different use cases.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.0/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) 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
7.7/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and ASUS ROG Flow X16 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 (2022) and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 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."
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) or the ASUS ROG Flow X16
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.
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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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