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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) offers impressive build quality, a bright and color-accurate Mini LED screen, and a high battery life, making it an ideal choice for professionals who need a powerful machine for tasks like video editing and graphic design, and who prefer the MacOS ecosystem. In contrast, the Eluktronics RP-15 provides a high refresh rate IPS display and strong gaming performance with dedicated Nvidia graphics, lending itself well to gaming and other GPU-intensive activities. It also runs on Windows and is more cost-effective; however, it falls short on battery life and build quality when compared to the MacBook Pro 16. Consider the MacBook Pro if you prioritize premium design and longer battery life for general and engineering use, but opt for the RP-15 if you're looking for better value and performance in gaming and 3D applications. 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
- Very good for content creation
- 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 Eluktronics RP-15
- The Eluktronics RP-15 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
9.0
7.5
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the Eluktronics RP-15 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) provides a robust CPU and double the RAM compared to the Eluktronics RP-15, coupled with a superior Mini LED screen which translates to better screen quality, and it outperforms in battery life; however, it has less portability due to its weight and size. While both laptops offer ample storage, the RP-15 has a good quality keyboard, speaker, and operating noise levels but falls short in the heat management department, and its general usability is impacted by a shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.0
7.8
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Eluktronics RP-15 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) are both good for gaming and AI, though the Eluktronics RP-15 is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is equipped with a GPU suitable for 3D work and a high-resolution Mini LED display, but its screen refresh rate is lower than that of some gaming laptops and it is limited by the number of popular games that can't run on macOS. The Eluktronics RP-15, on the other hand, offers a GPU that supports both gaming and 3D tasks, and with its higher refresh rate display, it provides a smoother gaming experience, although its screen has a lower resolution and color accuracy compared to the MacBook Pro.
Content Creation
8.8
7.6
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Eluktronics RP-15 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
8.9
7.4
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Eluktronics RP-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
8.0
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Eluktronics RP-15 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro's screen stands out due to its high resolution and brightness, making text sharp and details crisp, while the Eluktronics RP-15 also offers a clear and bright display but may not have the same level of refinement. When it comes to engineering and design, the MacBook Pro's wide color gamuts ensure accurate color reproduction which is critical for precise visual work, whereas the RP-15, while still offering good color coverage, may not match the breadth of the MacBook's color spectrum. In the realm of 3D, the MacBook Pro's lower refresh rate can make fast-paced graphics less smooth compared to higher refresh rate screens, which is an area where the RP-15 could also fall short for the most demanding 3D tasks.
Battery
17.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Eluktronics RP-15 has 6 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
4.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability, while the Eluktronics RP-15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.2
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Eluktronics RP-15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,949
$1,399
$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 Eluktronics RP-15 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.2
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Eluktronics RP-15 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in engineering and design use because it features a powerful Apple M1 Pro CPU and GPU combo, coupled with ample RAM and a high-resolution Mini LED screen, promising high performance and excellent screen quality.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the Eluktronics RP-15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) | Eluktronics RP-15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,949 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 14.2'' x 9.7'' x 1.05'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 4.97 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 14.16" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 9.67" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 Pro (10C) | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 62 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 497 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
Eluktronics RP-15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Hardware Canucks
Eber Anthony | October 2020
"To conclude, I’m genuinely impressed with Eluktronics and what they have been able to deliver with the RP-15. You see this is all about maximizing performance, cooling, and giving users the most flexible I/O, and then wrapping it into a chassis that doesn’t feel super cheap. Let’s also not forget the price point, I think they have really nailed it in that department."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the Eluktronics RP-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 Eluktronics
Eluktronics is a relatively new American gaming laptop company, founded in 2011. They are a reseller for the Taiwanese brand Clevo, who manufacture laptops exclusively and ship them to resellers like Eluktronics who customize them. Eluktronics laptops generally have great hardware specifications for the money, including the CPU, GPU, and RAM. They also feature a relatively clean design by gaming laptop standards, with few logos and discreet colors.
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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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