For intensive engineering tasks, graphical work, or 3D/machine learning, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 with its more powerful GPU and high-performance CPU is a better fit, but it comes at a higher price and weighs more. If portability is a priority, the lighter LG Gram 16 might be preferable; however, it has less storage and its performance is more suited for general use than demanding tasks. Both laptops have high-quality displays but the MacBook Pro's Mini LED screen offers better brightness and color accuracy, ideal for professional photo and video editing. The LG Gram has a longer battery life, making it convenient for on-the-go use without frequent charging. Keep in mind though, the MacBook Pro has a superior build quality and offers a better keyboard and speakers, enhancing the overall user experience. 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)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the LG Gram 16
The LG Gram 16 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023).
Key differences
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.5/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the LG Gram 16 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 with its Apple M3 chip and Mini LED display is designed for demanding engineering and design tasks, offering high processing power and screen quality, but with a higher weight impacting portability. The LG Gram 16, while also suitable for engineering and design due to its Intel i7 processor and ample RAM, shines in portability and has a quality IPS screen, though it may not match the MacBook's performance and screen quality.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.8/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) is very good for content creation, while the LG Gram 16 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
7.3/10
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the LG Gram 16 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14's Retina display provides clear visuals, high resolution, and excellent brightness, making it ideal for general use and suited for engineering and design with its wide color gamut coverage. However, its refresh rate is lower compared to gaming-focused laptops, which is why it falls short for 3D applications that benefit from smoother motion. The LG Gram 16 offers a high-resolution screen with solid brightness, appealing for both general tasks and detailed work in engineering and design, yet it also lacks the high refresh rates preferred for gaming and 3D rendering where motion clarity is key.
Battery
17.0 Hours
15.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 17 hours of battery life. The LG Gram 16 has 15 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
10.0/10
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has best in class build quality, while the LG Gram 16 has 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 (Late 2023) to be very good for general use, while the LG Gram 16 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its advanced Apple M3 processor and Mini LED display, offers a premium experience for users looking for a high-resolution screen and excellent performance for general tasks while ensuring a long battery life. In comparison, the LG Gram 16 provides a larger screen and more RAM for multitasking, paired with an Intel processor suitable for general use, and stands out for its remarkable portability and silent operation, albeit with a shorter battery life and less storage space.
Gaming and AI
6.7/10
6.4/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) and LG Gram 16 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is better suited for 3D tasks due to its superior integrated GPU and a high-refresh-rate screen, which enhances smoothness and detail in graphics, but keep in mind that many popular games are not compatible with macOS. In contrast, the LG Gram 16, with its decent GPU and standard refresh-rate screen, offers fair performance for gaming and 3D applications on Windows, which supports a wider range of games.
Software Development
8.2/10
7.9/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) to be very good for software development, while the LG Gram 16 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) and LG Gram 16 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,449
$1,450
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has a price of $1,449 and the LG Gram 16 costs $1,450.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) and the LG Gram 16 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 LG Gram 16 is a lightweight device with stability issues. The LG Gram 16Z90Q with a Core i7-1260P is made with portability in mind and places less of a focus on users with high demands on performance. The compact and light chassis is particularly practical when you are on the go. The device is not only comfortably small and lightweight, it also boasts a great battery life. When connected to mains, on the other hand, the 16-inch device is rather disappointing. The standard cooling mode causes extreme volatility in terms of CPU, SSD and iGPU performance. The meager stability of the chassis may also put off some potential buyers."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) or the LG Gram 16
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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
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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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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