When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 and the HP Omen Transcend, consider that the MacBook is optimized for professionals seeking a balance between performance and portability with its sleek design and typically longer battery life, making it well-suited for on-the-go use and demanding applications like video editing. The HP Omen Transcend, on the other hand, is targeted towards gaming and may offer superior graphics capabilities and cooling performance, appealing if you're into gaming or require intensive graphical processing, but it may be bulkier and have less battery life. The MacBook Pro's higher cost reflects its build quality and ecosystem integration, so if you're already using Apple products, it offers added convenience. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
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 HP Omen Transcend 14
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.9/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, while offering high screen quality and a capable CPU, has a GPU that’s less optimized for gaming and a lower screen refresh rate which can be limiting for 3D applications. In contrast, the HP Omen Transcend 14 comes with a more powerful GPU and a higher refresh rate screen, enhancing gaming and 3D performance significantly, although it’s important to remember that the Mac operating system is not compatible with many popular games.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
8.6/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the HP Omen Transcend 14 for general use, AI, and engineering and design.
The MacBook Pro 14 (2021) boasts an exceptional screen with high resolution and wide color gamut coverage, making it ideal for engineering and design tasks that require precise color accuracy and detail. However, its refresh rate is lower, which is less optimal for 3D applications that benefit from higher refresh rates for smoother visuals. The HP Omen Transcend 14, while offering a high-quality screen with strong resolution and brightness suited for general use and engineering, falls short for gaming and 3D due to its lackluster refresh rate compared to models specifically tailored for those activities.
Battery
13.5 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The HP Omen Transcend 14 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
14.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has very good portability, while the HP Omen Transcend 14 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 HP Omen Transcend 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$1,699
$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 HP Omen Transcend 14 costs $1,699.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and HP Omen Transcend 14 are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its efficient CPU and high-quality RAM, delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks, and its exceptional screen quality, long battery life, and light weight make it easy to use on the go. The HP Omen Transcend 14 also offers robust performance and enough RAM for multitasking, while providing similar benefits in portability and battery life, but it stands out for those who need extra storage, a comfortable keyboard, and good speakers, with its heat management ensuring comfortable use during extended sessions.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen Transcend 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers high-quality CPU, RAM, GPU, and exceptional screen quality, making it suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks; its portability and excellent build, including keyboard and speakers, enhance the user's experience. However, the HP Omen Transcend 14 surpasses it in raw performance with a superior GPU setup and abundant RAM, catering more to users who prioritize sheer power for specialized tasks over the sleek design and quieter operation of the MacBook.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.3/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and HP Omen Transcend 14 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.
Software Development
8.3/10
8.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and HP Omen Transcend 14 are both very 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 14 (2021) and the HP Omen Transcend 14 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."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the HP Omen Transcend 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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