Since you are considering between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 and are aware that the MacBook is generally more expensive, here are some considerations to guide your decision:
If your priority is high performance for tasks like video editing, music production, or professional creative work, and you value a high-quality display and long battery life, the MacBook Pro may be the better option. It is also known for its robust build quality, excellent trackpad, and integration with the Apple ecosystem if that's relevant for you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a laptop primarily for gaming or tasks that require a Windows operating system, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 could be a more suitable choice. It usually comes with hardware that's geared towards gaming, such as more powerful graphics cards, which are also beneficial for other graphics-intensive tasks like 3D rendering or machine learning. However, gaming laptops like the A15 tend to be heavier, bulkier, and have shorter battery life compared to the MacBook Pro.
Consider your main use cases and whether the Apple ecosystem, portability, and battery life are more important for you than gaming capabilities and the flexibility of a Windows laptop. Keep in mind that while the MacBook Pro is more expensive, its resale value typically remains higher over time compared to gaming laptops. 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 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Gaming A15
Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
271.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-quality CPU and RAM, ensuring smooth operation for daily tasks, matched with an excellent screen and a compact design that enhances portability and battery life, making it well-suited for on-the-go use and demanding applications. In contrast, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15, while providing good general performance, excels particularly in heat management and has the power for gaming and intensive tasks, yet it is bulkier and has a shorter battery life, which might not be ideal for users who prioritize mobility and all-day usage.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
8.0/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-quality display and potent GPU suitable for 3D work, but its refresh rate and limited game compatibility make it less ideal for gaming. On the other hand, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15's superior refresh rate and robust GPU deliver an immersive gaming experience and handle 3D tasks well, though the CPU and screen quality may not match the MacBook Pro's standards.
Software Development
8.3/10
7.6/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 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
7.2/10
14.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
271.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a vibrant and high-resolution display that offers excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for engineering and design work where precise color representation is critical. For general use, its screen shines with clarity and brightness that enhance everyday tasks. However, for 3D and gaming, its lower refresh rate may not provide as smooth of an experience as screens designed specifically for these purposes.
Battery
13.5 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 has 11 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
15.6in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has very good portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$2,059
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 costs $2,059.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and ASUS TUF Gaming A15 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 TUF Gaming A15 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."
"With the release of the TUF Gaming A15, Asos have concentrated on the essentials: gaming performance. Our base version, which can be had for around $1,169, already provided enough power to play current games smoothly in a native resolution of 1080p and with maximum details - thanks to its new Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop. If you utilize upscaling, then you can even manage to run ray tracing."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the ASUS TUF Gaming A15
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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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.