When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro and the HP Spectre x360, consider that the MacBook Pro typically offers a high-quality build and seamless integration with other Apple products along with better support for creative applications but could be more expensive in the long run when purchasing additional software or accessories. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 offers flexibility with its convertible design, touchscreen, and pen support, making it suited for note-taking and creative work; however, Windows-based systems often come with wider compatibility for a variety of software and tend to be more customizable. If you prioritize sleek design and an Apple-centric ecosystem, go with the MacBook; if versatility and a Windows operating system are essential, choose the Spectre. 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
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
497.0 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 (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 offers a balance of a high-quality screen, efficient CPU, ample RAM, and exceptional battery life, packaged in a sleek design that's easy to carry, making it a solid choice for everyday tasks. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 14 delivers a similar stellar screen quality with added versatility due to its convertible design, coupled with a strong CPU, sufficient RAM, and long battery life, while also providing a comfortable keyboard and good-quality speakers, enhancing its suitability for a variety of general use scenarios.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
8.4/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.3/10
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 (2022) is good.
The HP Spectre x360 14 offers a versatile 2-in-1 design with a high-quality screen and a powerful combination of CPU, RAM, and GPU that excels in engineering tasks, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 provides excellent build and screen quality, with a reliable performance in CPU-intensive tasks but is less adept for tasks that require a high-performing GPU. While both have good keyboards and are fairly portable, the MacBook may have an edge in speaker quality and operating noise, which could be a deciding factor for those who value multimedia experience and a quiet working environment.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.7/10
6.7/10
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 (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
8.4/10
6.7/10
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 (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.
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
497.0 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 MacBook Pro 13 has a high-resolution Retina display that offers crisp visuals and vibrant colors, making it great for general use and engineering tasks that benefit from accurate color reproduction; however, its standard refresh rate limits 3D application performance. The HP Spectre x360 14 also boasts a high-resolution display with strong color fidelity, perfect for detailed design work and everyday tasks, but like the MacBook, it's not optimized for 3D because of the standard refresh rate which isn't ideal for fast-paced visuals. Both laptops, while excellent in screen brightness and color gamuts for general use and professional design, fall short for gaming or 3D work, where a higher refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion.
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 (2022) and HP Spectre x360 14 both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) 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 (2022) 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
$1,219
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Pro 13, with its solid CPU performance and high-quality screen, is limited in gaming and 3D rendering capabilities due to a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate compared to gaming-dedicated laptops, and many popular games are not compatible with macOS. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers better compatibility for a wider range of games and somewhat improved 3D performance due to its superior GPU, although its refresh rate still isn't ideal for the most demanding gaming scenarios.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the HP Spectre x360 14 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 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 (2022) 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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