When deciding between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 and the ASUS ROG Strix G16, consider that the MacBook is better for professional work with a focus on media creation and software development due to its high-quality display and robust software ecosystem, along with a sleek design that makes it easy to carry around. The ASUS ROG Strix is a gaming powerhouse, perfect for the latest games and demanding tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning, but expect it to be heavier and have a shorter battery life due to its performance-oriented hardware. 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 (2023)
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 ROG Strix G16 (2024)
Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
8.4/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers a high refresh rate display and a powerful GPU, which are paramount for smooth gaming and 3D rendering performance; meanwhile, the MacBook Pro 14 pairs a high-quality screen with a capable GPU, which is good for 3D applications but less optimal for gaming, especially since many games aren't compatible with macOS. The MacBook might excel in screen quality and CPU performance, but the ASUS outshines it in GPU power and refresh rate, making it a better fit for dedicated gamers and heavy 3D workloads.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
8.8/10
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
459.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G16 for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is favored for general use and engineering due to its high-resolution Retina display that offers vibrant colors and brightness, along with wide color gamut coverage, ensuring accurate color reproduction for design work. However, for 3D applications, its standard refresh rate is lower than specialized gaming laptops, making it less suitable for fast-paced 3D visuals. The ASUS ROG Strix G16, while providing a very good display for general use and engineering with high resolution and ample color accuracy, falls short in gaming and 3D where its refresh rate may not be as high as other gaming-focused laptops, which are essential for smooth motion.
Battery
13.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 8 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
Fair
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) are both very good for general use.
The MacBook Pro 14 offers high processing power with ample RAM, ensuring smooth everyday performance, and its high-quality screen, coupled with long battery life and a lightweight design, makes it excellent for on-the-go users who prioritize portability and screen clarity. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 also provides strong CPU performance and sufficient RAM for demanding tasks, but it's tailored more towards users who don't mind a bulkier laptop with potential trade-offs in battery life for the sake of better gaming or intensive task capabilities, and it also includes a quality screen, robust speakers, and a comfortable keyboard.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
8.8/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 brings a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen, making it well-suited for engineering and design tasks where color accuracy and software compatibility are key; however, its portability is an added benefit, ensuring professionals can work from anywhere. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers a strong CPU, plenty of RAM, a robust GPU, and a quality screen favoring more GPU-intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, at the cost of being less portable and potentially noisier under load.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.4/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) 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
8.4/10
8.0/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) 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.
Cost
$1,630
$1,599
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,630 and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) costs $1,599.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) compare to other laptops
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) or the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
125,295
Recommendations made
27,148
Consumer hours saved
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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.