A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) offers robust performance, a high-quality screen, and long battery life, making it well-suited for professionals in video editing, music production, or software development who also prioritize durability and a seamless software experience. However, it comes at a higher cost and is heavier, which might affect portability. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is designed with gaming and portability in mind, featuring a powerful CPU and GPU in a compact form, which makes it ideal for gaming, 3D rendering, or virtual reality applications while on the go. It's less expensive, but this can come at the expense of lower battery life and a less premium build compared to the MacBook Pro. Choose the MacBook Pro for top-tier performance and build quality if cost is less of a concern, or opt for the ASUS if you need a versatile, gaming-capable laptop that's easier to carry around. 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 (2023)
- Excellent for general use
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X13
- Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
9.1
8.1
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
511.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) offers a larger screen with high resolution and exceptional color coverage, making it excellent for tasks requiring clear and crisp visuals, and it has a strong CPU and GPU for performance while providing substantial battery life. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is lighter and more portable with a capable CPU and high-quality screen, and its 2-in-1 design offers versatility, but it cannot match the MacBook's battery life and has a smaller display.
Content Creation
9.1
8.2
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is very 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
8.0
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 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 (2023) and ASUS ROG Flow X13 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) 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
9.3
8.4
16.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
511.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Flow X13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Pro 16's screen excels in general use and engineering due to its high resolution, brightness, and wide color gamuts, making it ideal for crisp text and accurate color reproduction, but its standard refresh rate is less suitable for 3D applications where smoother motion is key. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 offers a good mix of resolution and brightness for daily tasks and creative work, yet it's not optimized for gaming and 3D because despite its decent resolution and color coverage, its refresh rate falls short for the high-speed graphics these activities often require. Thus, each excels in different areas: the MacBook Pro for visual clarity and color work, and the ROG Flow for a balanced performance with a slight compromise on high-refresh-rate gaming.
Battery
17.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has 8 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
13.4in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has very good portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Flow X13 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Gaming and AI
7.4
7.8
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
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
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) are both good for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16, with a high screen refresh rate, is well-suited for 3D tasks and offers a fluid visual experience that would benefit design and animation; however, it's limited in gaming due to many popular games not being available on macOS. The ASUS ROG Flow X13, on the other hand, is equipped with a powerful Nvidia RTX GPU which excels in gaming and 3D applications, offering versatility and enhanced graphic performance for both play and work.
Engineering and Design
8.8
8.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and ASUS ROG Flow X13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in engineering and design due to its robust CPU, the Apple M2 Pro chip, ample RAM, and a sharp Mini LED screen rendering high-quality graphics. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 stands out with its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX GPU, complemented by a versatile touchscreen display, making it great for interactive design tasks while maintaining solid portability. Both laptops offer high RAM and excellent screen quality, but the MacBook might be favored for its larger display and longer battery life, whereas the ASUS provides flexibility with its 2-in-1 design and advanced gaming-capable graphics.
Cost
$2,423
$2,500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has a price of $2,423 and the ASUS ROG Flow X13 costs $2,500.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the ASUS ROG Flow X13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) | ASUS ROG Flow X13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,423 | $2,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 11.8'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 2.87 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 11.77" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 8.35" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (12C) | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 75 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 13.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 511 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 7.3/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
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 | 1 | |
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 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
See more
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."
ASUS ROG Flow X13
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Bade | February 2021
"The Asus ROG Flow X13 is not an off-the-shelf convertible. This quickly becomes clear when you take a closer look at the technical specs. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is a state-of-the-art SoC with 8 cores and 16 threads, which also makes the 2-in-1 interesting as a work device. With 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, gamers are also well taken care of. The dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q fits well into the overall concept and ensures a solid 3D performance. With the eGPU dock, which is equipped with a GeForce RTX 3080, the small convertible transforms into a full-fledged desktop replacement in terms of performance."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) or the ASUS ROG Flow X13
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Eluktronics Mech-15 G3R
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Razer Blade 14 (2023)
VS
Compare ASUS ROG Flow X13 vs. ASUS ROG Flow Z13
VS
Compare ASUS ROG Flow X13 vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
VS
Compare ASUS ROG Flow X13 vs. Razer Blade 15
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
125,295
Recommendations made
27,148
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
