If you prioritize power and screen size for tasks like video editing or software development, the MacBook Pro 16" offers robust performance and a larger display, but it comes at a higher price and with less portability. However, if you prefer a more versatile and portable device that's easier on the budget, the HP Spectre x360 14 provides a convertible touchscreen experience and generally better portability, though it is not as powerful, which can be a limitation for demanding applications. The choice depends on whether you value performance and screen size over cost and flexibility. 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
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
Very good portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.4/10
8.6/10
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 boasts a high-resolution display and exceptional brightness, making it excellent for general use, while its wide color gamuts cater to the precision required in engineering and design tasks. Conversely, its screen refresh rate is not as high, making it less ideal for 3D tasks where smoother motion representation is key. The HP Spectre x360 has a very good resolution and brightness that suits general use and design work well, but like the MacBook, it falls short for gaming and 3D due to a lower refresh rate.
Battery
17.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 has 9 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
Very Good
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The HP Spectre x360 14 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
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the HP Spectre x360 14 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
$1,630
$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 HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be excellent for general use, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 features top-tier CPUs and plenty of RAM, ensuring swift performance and smooth multitasking, with a high-quality screen perfect for various tasks; however, its larger size and weight reduce portability compared to the HP Spectre x360 14, which also offers a good CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen, but in a more compact design with longer battery life, making it easier to carry around. The Spectre may be quieter and stay cooler under load, and both laptops have good keyboards and speakers, with sufficient storage for average users.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
6.8/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is equipped with a more powerful GPU and a high-quality screen, making it suitable for 3D work, but keep in mind that its operating system limits the selection of games available. The HP Spectre x360 14 has a convertible form factor and a decent screen quality, but its less capable GPU and standard refresh rate make it only moderately suitable for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
8.4/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and HP Spectre x360 14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 inch is equipped with high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a powerful GPU, making it ideal for demanding engineering tasks, coupled with an exceptional screen quality for designers; its heft and cost, though, may be a drawback for some. In comparison, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers impressive versatility with its 2-in-1 design and high-quality keyboard, making it a strong contender for engineering and design use, but it generally has less powerful hardware which might limit its performance with very intensive software.
Content Creation
8.8/10
8.7/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and HP Spectre x360 14 are both very good for content creation.
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
8.4/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and HP Spectre x360 14 are both very good for software development.
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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the HP Spectre x360 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 numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the HP Spectre x360 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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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