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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) shines in battery life, display quality, and build, making it suitable for professionals needing longevity and excellent screen performance for tasks like photo and video editing. It's also very portable due to its lighter weight. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers a higher refresh rate display and stronger graphics performance, which is preferable for gaming and 3D rendering. It also includes extra features like a higher storage capacity and an RGB backlit keyboard, but it has a shorter battery life and is slightly heavier, impacting portability. 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
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
- Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
9.0
7.8
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
283.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in portability and battery life, deemed good, with a significantly lighter weight and longer battery duration, along with top-quality speakers and keyboards, which make it very good for general use. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15, while offering more storage and a robust CPU for gaming, falls short on battery duration and portability, scoring fair, and has a lower screen quality, which limits its performance for general use to good.
Gaming and AI
7.0
8.3
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
300Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is good.
The MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is good for 3D due to its strong GPU, which is the Apple M1 Pro (16C GPU), offering high screen quality, but it lacks features like a high refresh rate and hardware ray tracing, which are key for some 3D applications and games. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15, on the other hand, excels in gaming and 3D with its exceptional refresh rate and GPU tailored for gaming, but its operating system limits compatibility with many popular games that don't run on Macs.
Content Creation
8.8
8.0
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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
7.4
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 Strix Scar 15 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
7.9
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
300Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
283.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 16's screen stands out with its higher resolution and brightness, providing sharp images and great visibility in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design, its screen excels due to a wider color gamut coverage, offering accurate color reproduction that is essential for detailed work. However, in 3D tasks, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 might fall short because its screen doesn't prioritize the higher refresh rates needed for fluid motion and fast-paced visuals.
Battery
17.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 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
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.5
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) stands out for engineering and design due to its high-resolution Mini LED screen, efficient Apple M1 Pro CPU, and substantial on-chip GPU, complemented by ample RAM, which appeals to professionals seeking color accuracy and performance without significant operating noise. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers a powerful Intel CPU and a dedicated Nvidia GPU, making it highly capable for demanding engineering software and design tasks, but trades off portability and screen resolution for better suitability for gaming and more slots for RAM and storage expansion.
Cost
$1,949
$2,000
$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 Strix Scar 15 costs $2,000.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,949 | $2,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | February 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 13.9'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 5.07 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 13.94" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 Pro (10C) | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 300Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 497 nits | 283 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | No Webcam | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
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Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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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."
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam | May 2022
"Asus continues to refine the ROG Strix Scar lineup with new upgrades. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 offers almost everything you would expect from a gaming laptop at this price. The build quality is great, connectivity options are decent, and there is enough scope for internal upgrades as well. Asus reverts to membrane switches for the keyboard — though not as "clickety" as the opto-mechanical ones we saw with last year's model, they still make for a decent typing and gaming experience. The lack of biometrics in any form is a downer."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
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.
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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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