Choosing between the MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 depends on your needs. For demanding engineering tasks and a preference for MacOS, the MacBook Pro with its Apple M1 Pro chip and high screen quality is a superior option, despite its higher price and lower portability. However, if you want a gaming-capable machine with Windows, touch functionality, and a balance between cost and performance, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, featuring an AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX graphics, would be a better fit. It's important to weigh the significance of display quality, operating system, and performance needs against your budget constraints. 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 (2021)
Excellent for general use
Very good for software development
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
9.0/10
8.0/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in general use due to its strong CPU and extensive RAM, high-quality screen, longer battery life, and managed heat, making it portable despite its size. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 also offers good performance for general use with a high-quality, high-refresh-rate convertible screen, solid CPU, and ample RAM, but it compromises on battery life and portability due to its gaming-oriented design.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
7.6/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) are both good for gaming and AI, though the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 uses a high-quality GPU suitable for 3D tasks and offers a superior screen quality, but its lower screen refresh rate and fewer compatible game titles limit its gaming potential; on the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, with a high refresh rate screen and robust GPU, provides a smoother gaming experience and is well-suited for both gaming and 3D work, albeit with a potentially less color-accurate display. Both have capable CPUs, but the ASUS might give gamers the edge they need for fast-paced gaming environments.
Content Creation
8.8/10
8.0/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) 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
8.9/10
7.7/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 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
9.4/10
8.5/10
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Flow X16 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a high-resolution display that's bright and offers extensive color coverage, making it excellent for general use and detailed work in engineering and design, but its standard refresh rate is less ideal for 3D work where smoother motion is key. The ASUS ROG Flow X16, while also providing a crisp, bright screen with strong color accuracy, might fall short in gaming and 3D scenarios due to its refresh rate not being as high as dedicated gaming laptops, which can hinder fluidity in fast-paced visuals. For users prioritizing color-sensitive tasks and media consumption, the MacBook may be preferable, whereas the ASUS might appeal to those requiring a balanced mix of good display quality and occasional gaming or 3D use.
Battery
17.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 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
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,949
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,949 and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 costs $1,300.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and ASUS ROG Flow X16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) shines for engineering and design with its powerful CPU and GPU specifically made by Apple, as well as its superior screen quality with high brightness and color accuracy, complemented by an excellent battery life. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 also offers a high-end CPU and a dedicated Nvidia GPU with substantial screen quality, but sets itself apart with a convertible design for added versatility, albeit with less battery life and a slightly heavier build.
Portability
Good
Good
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and ASUS ROG Flow X16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 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."
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the ASUS ROG Flow X16
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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