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MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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Laptop 13 (2023)
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
  • Good for gaming and AI
  • Excellent overall display quality
  • Best in class overall build quality
  • Best in class battery life
  • Best in class speakers
  • Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
  • Very good portability

Key differences

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Screen Quality

9.4
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.4
16.2in
SIZE
13.5in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, AI, and engineering and design.

Battery

17.5 Hours
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
8.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 13 has 8.5 hours of battery life.

Portability

Good
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
Very Good
16.2in
SIZE
13.5in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.

Build Quality

10.0
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.8
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.

Cost

$1,319
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
$2,099
Product image
Product image

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

$3,500

The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,319 and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) costs $2,099.
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Key similarities

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General Use

8.6
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
8.7
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) are both very good for general use.

Gaming and AI

7.0
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
6.7
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.

Engineering and Design

8.4
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
8.2
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.

Content Creation

8.6
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
8.4
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both very good for content creation.

Software Development

8.6
MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Laptop 13 (2023)
8.5
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both very good for software development.

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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) compare to other laptops

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Spec Comparison

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Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

GENERAL

Price
$1,319
$2,099
Release Date
October 1, 2021May 1, 2023
Overall Dimensions
14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66''11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62''
Weight
4.7 lbs2.95 lbs
Width
14.01"11.7"
Depth
9.77"9.01"

INTERNAL

Processor
Apple M1 Pro (10C)Intel i7-1370P
RAM
16 GB32 GB
DDR Memory Version
54
RAM Slots
02
Storage
512 GB1024 GB

BATTERY

Battery Life
17.5 Hours8.5 Hours
Battery Capacity
99.6 Wh61 Wh

SCREEN

Diagonal Size
16.2"13.5"
Display Technology
Mini LEDIPS
Resolution
3456 x 22342256 x 1504
Refresh Rate
120Hz60Hz
Display Brightness
497 nits472 nits

RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS

Build Quality Score
10/107.8/10
Portability Score
7.6/108.8/10
Gaming Laptop Appearance
NoNo
Premium Business Laptop
YesNo
Fan Noise Score
8.8/107.5/10

HARDWARE FEATURES

Keyboard Quality Score
9.5/108.5/10
Speaker Quality Score
10/108/10
Webcam
1080p1080p
Fingerprint Reader
YesYes
Backlit Keyboard
YesYes
Number Pad
NoNo

CONNECTIVITY

USB Type-A
01
USB-C ports
32
USB-C Charging
YesYes
Display Outputs
22
Thunderbolt Version
44

Shopping

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Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)

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Dig into reviews and images

NotebookCheck

Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."

Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

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Dig into reviews and images

Wired

Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."

Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the Framework Laptop 13 (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.

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Why trust us

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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.

By the numbers

380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
116,295
Recommendations made
25,198
Consumer hours saved

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.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

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.

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