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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 21, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro generally offers higher performance which is beneficial for tasks like video editing or software development, and it often has a longer battery life, but it is more expensive. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360, being a 2-in-1 device, provides versatility for tablet use and includes a touchscreen, which might be preferred for presentations or creative work. It usually falls behind in raw performance compared to the MacBook Pro and may not be the best choice for extremely demanding tasks. If budget is a concern and flexibility is key, the HP could better meet your needs. However, if your work requires robust performance and you're willing to invest more, the MacBook Pro may be the wiser option. 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
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
- The HP Spectre x360 14 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023).
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.2
8.6
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 14 for general use, AI, and engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro's screen boasts high resolution and brightness with excellent color accuracy in the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB spectrums, making it ideal for engineering and design tasks where color fidelity is paramount. The HP Spectre x360 also offers a high-resolution display with strong color representation for professionals in design, but its lower brightness may be less optimal under bright lighting conditions. Neither laptop, however, has a high refresh rate, which is critical for 3D work and gaming, leading to a less smooth visual experience in those applications.
Battery
13.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 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.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the HP Spectre x360 14 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.5
8.7
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a robust CPU and ample RAM, which ensures smooth performance for various tasks, and its high-quality screen, along with a long battery life, makes it ideal for users needing reliability and clarity on the go. Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360 14 also gives solid performance with a good CPU and ample memory, and its convertible design coupled with a high-quality keyboard and speakers provides flexibility for both work and entertainment in a highly portable package.
Gaming and AI
7.0
6.8
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) to be good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a dedicated GPU and higher screen refresh rate, enhancing its performance for 3D tasks, but its gaming potential is limited because many popular games are not compatible with macOS. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360 14 has a capable GPU and sufficient screen refresh rate to handle games effectively, but its performance in 3D tasks and gaming may not match the MacBook due to the lower performance of its GPU compared to the one in the MacBook Pro.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and HP Spectre x360 14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, which ensures smooth operations in demanding engineering applications, and its high-quality screen displays precise details crucial for design work. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360 14, while also providing a capable CPU and sufficient RAM, stands out with its flexible 2-in-1 design and touch screen, offering both portability and an interactive experience for design, although it may have a less powerful GPU compared to the MacBook Pro.
Content Creation
8.5
8.7
7.8/10
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 HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (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
8.4
7.8/10
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
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and HP Spectre x360 14 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,630
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,630 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the HP Spectre x360 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) | HP Spectre x360 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,630 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | 12.4'' x 8.7'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.5 lbs | 3.45 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.31" | 12.35" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.71" | 8.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (10C) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 13.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 69.6 Wh | 68 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.2" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 489 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 2160p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"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."
HP Spectre x360 14
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Rami Tabari | February 2024
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) or the HP Spectre x360 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.
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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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