If superior performance for tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering work is essential, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is the better option, offering a more robust processor, larger RAM, and higher storage capacity. For those prioritizing battery life and display quality for general and color-intensive tasks, MacBook Pro also shines with an impressive screen and long-lasting battery. However, it is significantly heavier and more expensive, affecting its portability and cost-effectiveness. The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is less expensive, features dual screens which may benefit multitasking, and is lighter, making it easier to carry around, but has less power for demanding tasks and shorter battery life. The touch-enabled screen of the Zenbook may appeal to users who prefer interactive control or creative tasks that benefit from direct screen manipulation. 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
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
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 Zenbook Duo 14
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
9.1/10
7.1/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
314.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) outperforms the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 in general use mainly due to its superior CPU, more RAM, and higher-quality screen, which support better multitasking and media quality, while also providing longer battery life for extended use on a single charge.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.1/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is equipped with an M2 Pro GPU and a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which are very important for smooth and detailed 3D rendering, whereas the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 features an Intel Iris Xe GPU and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, making it less optimal for intensive 3D tasks and gaming. Moreover, many popular games are not compatible with the macOS on the MacBook, which can limit gaming options despite its better GPU and screen refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
6.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) outperforms the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 in engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU and GPU, higher RAM, and superior screen quality that provides extensive color coverage and high brightness. While the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14's dual-screen offers extra utility in multitasking, its portability and quieter operation make it an attractive option for users frequently on-the-go despite having less computing power and screen fidelity compared to the MacBook Pro.
Content Creation
9.1/10
7.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 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
8.9/10
7.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 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
9.3/10
6.8/10
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
314.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16's display offers exceptional resolution and brightness, which alongside its superior color coverage, makes it an excellent choice for both general use and tasks that require color accuracy, such as engineering and design work. However, the MacBook Pro's display has a standard refresh rate, which is less than ideal for 3D applications where a higher refresh rate can provide smoother visuals. In contrast, the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14, while offering good resolution and reasonable brightness for everyday tasks, does not quite match the MacBook in color accuracy for professional design work and also lacks a high refresh rate needed for the best experience in gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
17.5 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has 8.5 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
Very Good
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 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
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,423
$999
$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 Zenbook Duo 14 costs $999.
"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 Asus ZenBook Duo's second screen is like the Apple Touch Bar, but better. Most would agree that having two screens instead of one can really boost productivity and the ZenBook Duo is no different in this regard. It's tough going back to just one screen after becoming accustomed to spacious dual-screen setups. For a laptop form factor, however, users will have to accept some compromises. Firstly, weight is the most obvious drawback as the system is several hundred grams heavier than a regular ZenBook 14. Additionally, colors on the second screen will not be as vivid as the main display."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) or the ASUS Zenbook Duo 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 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.
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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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.
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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.
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Laptops Expert
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