If you prioritize a sleek design, strong build quality, and a reliable ecosystem, the Apple MacBook Pro is an excellent choice, with great performance for everyday tasks and content creation, not to mention long battery life. However, if you value the ability to customize and repair your device, and require a laptop that can handle a wider range of heavy-duty tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning, the Framework Laptop, with its modular design, may better suit your needs despite being heavier and having potentially shorter battery life. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
8.1/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 offers a balance of high performance with its efficient CPU and reliable GPU, along with a high-resolution screen that is ideal for design work, while maintaining a fairly portable form factor and a reputation for quiet operation. The Framework Laptop 16, with its emphasis on customization, allows for potentially more powerful CPU and GPU configurations suitable for demanding engineering tasks and has a high-quality screen, but this may come at the cost of increased weight and potentially louder operating noise.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
8.4/10
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering screen quality for general use, both the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) deliver with crisp images and comfortable brightness due to their high-resolution displays and panel types that ensure clear and vivid performance. For engineering and design tasks, which require accurate color representation, these laptops excel because they cover a broad spectrum of color gamuts, offering precision in color-sensitive work. However, for 3D applications and gaming, which rely heavily on fluid motion, the lower refresh rates of these laptops' screens result in less smooth visuals, making them less suitable for these high frame rate-dependent activities.
Battery
20.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 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
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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
When comparing the MacBook Pro 13 to the Framework Laptop 16, the MacBook stands out for its excellent CPU and battery life, which ensure smooth performance and long hours of use without a charger, appealing to users who prioritize mobility and reliability. The Framework, however, offers a high-res screen with better CPU and RAM options, making it well-suited for demanding tasks; its modularity allows for easier upgrades and repairs, although this can come at the cost of slightly reduced portability due to its larger size.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13, while sufficient for 3D work, is limited in gaming due to a lack of support for many popular games and an average GPU that doesn't excel in high-refresh-rate scenarios. Conversely, the Framework Laptop 16, with a generally more capable GPU and higher screen refresh rate, better supports gaming and 3D tasks, but its performance is still impacted by the CPU and screen quality being only somewhat important.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.1/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
8.0/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) 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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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 trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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