When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the MSI Creator M14, consider that the MacBook Pro generally offers a higher build quality, better screen, and longer battery life, which is ideal for professionals who need a reliable machine for multimedia tasks and can afford a higher price. The MSI Creator M14, on the other hand, usually provides more customization options and may have better-suited hardware for specific engineering software, particularly if they're optimized for Windows, at a more budget-friendly price. However, it may sacrifice some build quality and battery life compared to the MacBook Pro. If portability is a priority, the MacBook may be more convenient to carry, but if you require specialized software or hardware compatibility, the MSI might serve you better. 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)
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 MSI Creator M14
The MSI Creator M14 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
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 provides a powerful CPU and high-quality RAM which ensure smooth performance for everyday tasks, along with a premium screen and long battery life for extended use while on the go. The MSI Creator M14 also offers robust processing capabilities and ample memory for multitasking, plus its high-quality display makes it suitable for general use, while both laptops come with sizeable storage, comfortable keyboards, and effective heat management to enhance the overall user experience.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.0/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is somewhat better.
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
7.8/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for software development, while the MSI Creator M14 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
7.5/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the MSI Creator M14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 14's Retina display provides excellent resolution and brightness, offering crisp and vivid images, while the MSI Creator M14 also delivers good visual quality, but not to the same high standard. In engineering and design tasks, the MacBook Pro shines with wider color gamuts, ensuring more accurate color reproduction essential for professional creative work, whereas the MSI Creator M14, while still good, might not meet the exacting standards of those fields. However, for 3D applications that require fluid motion, the MacBook Pro falls short due to a lower refresh rate, while the MSI Creator, despite its limitations, may not satisfy the needs of gaming or 3D tasks that greatly benefit from higher refresh rates.
Battery
13.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability, while the MSI Creator M14 has good 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 MSI Creator M14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,700
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,700 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
The MSI Creator M14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) are both good for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its high-quality display and efficient GPU, excels in 3D work though its refresh rate isn't optimal for gaming, and it can't run many popular games that are Windows-based. Conversely, the MSI Creator M14 offers a powerful GPU for excellent 3D and gaming performance, and its higher refresh rate makes for smoother visuals in fast-paced games.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
8.4/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is known for its powerful CPU, abundant RAM, and high-quality GPU, which are essential for demanding engineering applications, and its screen is acclaimed for vivid colors and sharpness that benefit design tasks. The MSI Creator M14 also offers a robust CPU and GPU, ample RAM, and an excellent display, while generally being more affordable; however, it might lag slightly behind in terms of keyboard and speaker quality when compared to the MacBook Pro, and both are sufficiently portable for most users despite being heavier than ultra-light options.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the MSI Creator M14 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 (2023) or the MSI Creator M14
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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