The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is generally favored for its robust performance and high-quality display, ideal for professionals in creative fields. Its larger screen and powerful internals are well-suited for tasks like video editing and graphic design. Being less expensive adds to its value for those who need these capabilities without stretching their budget. However, the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 offers a unique dual-screen setup which can enhance multitasking and productivity, particularly for users who can benefit from the extra screen real estate, like stock traders or users that have complex workflows. The Zenbook Duo is also more portable due to its smaller size, which might appeal to those who travel frequently. Remember though, the additional screen could shorten battery life compared to the MacBook Pro. Choosing depends on balancing the need for performance and screen quality with portability, multitasking features, and budget considerations. 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 16 (Late 2019)
Good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.8/10
7.1/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
477.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
314.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 are both good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 from late 2019 outperforms the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 in terms of CPU and RAM, which are crucial for smooth multitasking and fast performance in general use, along with having a higher quality screen for better visual experience. However, the MacBook is heavier and less portable compared to the lighter Zenbook, and while the MacBook has better battery life, it may be a less cost-effective option for those who prioritize a touch screen and greater portability over higher performance and better screen quality.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
6.6/10
4.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is favored in engineering and design for its more powerful AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU and higher RAM, supporting intensive tasks, and a superior screen with higher resolution and color accuracy. Conversely, the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14, while offering a second screen for multitasking and a touch-enabled main display, has less power in both the GPU and CPU for demanding applications and lower screen quality, but benefits from being lighter and therefore more portable.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.3/10
4.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is very good for content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 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.
Software Development
7.9/10
7.0/10
4.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 are both good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is somewhat better.
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
7.8/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
477.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
314.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a vibrant and sharp display for everyday tasks and professional design work, the MacBook Pro 16's screen, with its high resolution and bright panel, excels in these areas, offering a wide color gamut that ensures colors are both accurate and vivid. However, for 3D applications or high-end gaming that benefit from smoother visuals, this MacBook's lower refresh rate might disappoint, as it can't match screens designed with high refresh rates for such purposes. Conversely, the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14, while offering good resolution and brightness for general and design tasks, falls short in gaming and 3D scenarios where its lower refresh rate cannot provide the fluid motion sought by enthusiasts and professionals in those fields.
Battery
12.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 12 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has 8.5 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$540
$999
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) has a price of $540 and the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 costs $999.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU, which is decent for 3D applications but is hindered by the MacBook's lower game compatibility and a standard 60Hz screen refresh rate. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14, although it sports a capable Iris Xe GPU and also has a 60Hz screen, its overall gaming and 3D performance is limited by having an integrated GPU rather than a dedicated one, which is especially relevant for GPU-intensive tasks.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 to have very good portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Asus ZenBook Duo's second screen is like the Apple Touch Bar, but better. Most would agree that having two screens instead of one can really boost productivity and the ZenBook Duo is no different in this regard. It's tough going back to just one screen after becoming accustomed to spacious dual-screen setups. For a laptop form factor, however, users will have to accept some compromises. Firstly, weight is the most obvious drawback as the system is several hundred grams heavier than a regular ZenBook 14. Additionally, colors on the second screen will not be as vivid as the main display."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) or the ASUS Zenbook Duo 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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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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.
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Laptops Expert
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