The Apple MacBook Pro typically offers excellent build quality and a seamless software experience, which is ideal if you prioritize longevity and are invested in the Apple ecosystem; however, its higher price reflects this quality. It's less customizable when compared to the Framework Laptop, which stands out for its modular design, allowing for easier repairs and upgrades. The Framework may suit you if you value being able to upgrade components over time. Both have their strengths, but you'll need to decide if Apple's premium features and ecosystem are worth the extra cost or if the flexibility and repairability of the Framework align more with your values. 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)
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
8.5/10
8.0/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-quality screen, robust CPU, ample RAM and long battery life in a sleek design that is easy to carry, making it ideal for everyday tasks that demand performance and portability. The Framework Laptop 16 also provides excellent screen quality, powerful CPU performance and expandable RAM, with the added benefits of a customizable keyboard, repairable parts, and modular storage, though it tends to be larger and slightly less portable.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
8.4/10
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 16 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has excellent screen characteristics for general use and engineering tasks due to its high resolution, bright display, and wide color gamut that ensures precise colors, which is critical for design work. However, its standard refresh rate limits its effectiveness for 3D applications, which benefit from higher refresh rates for smoother visuals. The Framework Laptop 16 also offers a bright, high-resolution display with a wide color range suited for general use and professional design, but like the MacBook Pro, its standard refresh rate isn't ideal for gaming or 3D work where faster screen updates provide a more fluid experience.
Battery
13.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 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
Good
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) to be good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is equipped with a high-quality GPU that excels in rendering 3D graphics, complemented by a display with excellent screen quality, though it may not support many popular games that are incompatible with macOS. The Framework Laptop 16 has a capable GPU for gaming and 3D tasks and likely a higher screen refresh rate, favored in gaming, but its CPU and overall screen quality may not match the MacBook Pro, affecting performance in demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
8.1/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a strong GPU, essential for demanding engineering software, plus it boasts a high-quality screen for precision in design work; however, its less portable nature and premium price are tradeoffs. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 16 provides a balance of performance with a good CPU, RAM, and GPU and easier portability, but the screen quality and build may not match the MacBook Pro, making it a more budget-friendly choice for users with moderate design needs.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.1/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,695
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,695 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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."
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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
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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.
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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.