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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) offers a high-resolution Mini-LED screen, longer battery life, lighter weight, and is highly suitable for general use, with great build quality and high-quality speakers and webcam. Its performance is very good for general and engineering use, and it can handle some gaming. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its powerful Intel processor and Nvidia GPU, is tailored for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks, delivering excellent performance in those areas. However, it falls short on battery life, portability due to its heavier weight, and has a lower screen resolution. The ASUS is typically less expensive but bulkier, making it less ideal for on-the-go use. Choose the MacBook Pro for a balance of portability, battery life, and performance for general tasks, or the ASUS for high performance in specialized tasks like gaming and 3D work, if portability and battery life are less critical. 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
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G18
- Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
9.1
8.3
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
422.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in general use with its high-quality Mini LED screen, a powerful M2 Pro CPU combined with ample RAM for smooth multitasking, and outstanding battery life ensuring portability. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 provides excellent general use performance with a top-tier Intel CPU and comparable RAM, but it is less portable due to its larger size and weighs more, although it has a high refresh rate IPS screen that gamers might prefer.
Gaming and AI
7.4
8.7
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) performs well in 3D tasks due to its powerful GPU optimized for creative software and a high-quality Mini LED screen, making it a strong choice for professionals in design and video editing. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 excels in gaming and 3D performance thanks to its high-end dedicated gaming GPU, a high refresh rate display for smooth visuals, and, being a Windows machine, it supports a wider range of popular games which are not available on Macs.
Software Development
8.9
8.1
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and ASUS ROG Strix G18 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
8.7
16.2in
SIZE
18.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
422.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G18 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16's Retina display excels in resolution and brightness, providing sharp and vivid colors ideal for everyday tasks and professional design work, while falling short for 3D due to a standard refresh rate. The ASUS ROG Strix G18's display, while very good for general use and capable for engineering tasks with decent color accuracy, lacks in refresh rate, vital for smooth gaming and 3D applications. Each excels in particular areas: the MacBook Pro in screen detail and color for designers, and the ASUS for a balanced approach, but gamers and 3D designers should consider alternatives with higher refresh rates.
Battery
17.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix G18 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
Poor
16.2in
SIZE
18.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,423
$1,900
$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 Strix G18 costs $1,900.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.8
8.9
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in engineering and design use with its potent Apple M2 Pro CPU and integrated 19-core GPU, coupled with high screen quality from its Mini LED display that offers sharp resolution and a broad color gamut.
Content Creation
9.1
8.6
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) to be excellent for content creation, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the ASUS ROG Strix G18 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,423 | $1,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 15.7'' x 11.6'' x 1.06'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 6.61 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 15.71" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 11.57" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (12C) | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 422 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.6/10 | |
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 | 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 (2023)
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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 G18
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | March 2023
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) or the ASUS ROG Strix G18
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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About the laptop team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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