If you prioritize a lightweight and sleek design for ease of carrying around, along with strong performance for everyday tasks and creative work like video editing or graphic design, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) would be a better option, particularly if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is more suitable if you're into gaming or require a laptop with a versatile form factor, such as a 2-in-1 design, and don't mind a bulkier machine with possibly shorter battery life in exchange for higher gaming performance and a touchscreen. The ASUS would generally be better for 3D applications, machine learning tasks, or high-end gaming, whereas the MacBook Pro offers a better mix of portability, battery life, and performance optimized for macOS software. Depending on your budget, the MacBook Pro is likely to have a higher price, reflecting its premium build and Apple's brand positioning. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
Very good for software development
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.6/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its strong GPU and high-quality Mini LED 120Hz display, provides excellent visual fidelity for 3D tasks, but its gaming potential is limited due to the reduced availability of popular games for macOS. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, which combines a powerful Nvidia GPU with a higher 165Hz refresh rate screen ideal for smooth gaming experiences, is more versatile for gaming aside from offering solid 3D performance, and it operates on a Windows platform where most games are readily available.
Software Development
8.3/10
7.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 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
9.2/10
8.5/10
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Flow X16 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 boasts a high-resolution display and exceptional brightness, which, along with its panel type, offers sharp and clear visuals ideal for general use; its extensive color gamut coverage enhances the precision required for engineering and design work. The ASUS ROG Flow X16 also provides a high-quality display with strong brightness and resolution, meeting the demands for general use and design tasks with its color accuracy. However, for 3D applications where swift motion is depicted, neither of these laptops excel due to relatively modest refresh rates compared to models geared specifically for gaming or 3D rendering.
Battery
13.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) 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 14 (2021) 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
$1,905
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 costs $1,300.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) features a high-quality screen and efficient hardware including the M1 Pro chip, which alongside good battery life and lightweight design, makes it very suitable for general use. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 provides more storage and versatile use with its 2-in-1 convertible feature, along with a dedicated graphics card for better gaming, but has a lower battery life and is heavier, making it slightly less optimal for users prioritizing portability and all-day use.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.3/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design use due to its potent M1 Pro chip that efficiently handles CPU and GPU-intensive tasks, combined with a high-quality Mini LED screen, but it trades off some portability and versatility compared to rivals.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for content creation.
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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 compare to other laptops
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"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 14 (2021) 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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