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Updated March 21, 2024·
If you prioritize performance for tasks like video editing or software development, the MacBook Pro 14 is typically a solid choice with its powerful internals, but its higher price reflects this. The HP Spectre x360 14 offers versatility with its convertible design and touchscreen, making it ideal for presentations or creative work that benefits from a pen interface; it's usually less expensive, though it may not match the MacBook's raw power. The MacBook Pro generally boasts longer battery life, but the Spectre is lighter, making it better for those who travel frequently. Choose based on what your daily activities demand: peak performance and battery life, or flexibility and portability at a lower cost. 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 (Late 2023)
- 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 (Late 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, while the HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-resolution display with excellent brightness and advanced panel technology, providing sharp visuals and vivid colors ideal for general use and professional engineering tasks. Its wide color gamut coverage ensures accurate color reproduction crucial in engineering and design fields, but its standard refresh rate limits its performance for 3D tasks where higher refresh rates are beneficial. The HP Spectre x360 14 similarly provides a high-quality display with good brightness and resolution suitable for general use and engineering work, yet it falls short for gaming and 3D activities due to its lower refresh rate, despite its very good color coverage.
Battery
17.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 17 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 (Late 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
8.2
8.7
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
17.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-performance CPU and excellent RAM capacity, ensuring smooth operation for demanding tasks, with a vibrant screen, long battery life, and solid build making it ideal for both work and leisure, while its portability is slightly compromised. The HP Spectre x360 14, on the other hand, provides versatility with its convertible design, good screen, and effective heat management, paired with a quality keyboard and decent speakers, making it a practical choice for those who value flexibility and may not require the same level of raw power as the MacBook.
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.8
4.5/10
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
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, while strong in GPU performance conducive to 3D work, is limited in gaming due to a lower compatibility with popular game titles alongside a typical 60Hz screen refresh rate, which may not be as smooth for fast-paced gaming as higher refresh rates. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 14, with its capable GPU and better gaming compatibility with Windows, offers a more versatile platform for gaming, although its refresh rate also usually sticks to the standard 60Hz, which is a consideration for those seeking the most fluid visual gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
8.1
8.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its powerful CPU, high-quality GPU, ample RAM, and exceptional screen quality, excels in demanding engineering and design tasks, but it tends to be less portable due to its build. Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers similar performance capabilities with the added benefits of a versatile 2-in-1 design and a high-quality keyboard, making it a more portable option for engineers and designers who also prioritize flexibility in their work setup.
Content Creation
8.4
8.7
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 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
8.2
8.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 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 (Late 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
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) and HP Spectre x360 14 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,649
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has a price of $1,649 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) and the HP Spectre x360 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) | HP Spectre x360 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,649 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 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 | 3.4 lbs | 3.45 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.31" | 12.35" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.71" | 8.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 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 | 17 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 | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 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 (Late 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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