Choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X depends on your preferences and needs. If you prioritize performance for intensive engineering tasks or creative work, and you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, then despite being significantly pricier, the MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip might be a better option for you. It also offers a longer battery life and a high refresh rate display which is beneficial for smooth visuals.
On the other hand, if you are looking for value and versatility with good performance at a relatively lower price, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is compelling. It boasts a vivid OLED display, making it excellent for multimedia tasks. It also has a wider array of ports, which can be handy for connectivity with various peripherals. The ASUS is heavier, however, which could impact its portability.
Keep in mind that the MacBook Pro runs on MacOS, which is different from the Windows 11 Home on the Zenbook. This could be a decisive factor depending on your software needs and personal preference. 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 keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
9.1/10
8.3/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
354.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) with its Apple M2 Pro CPU and integrated graphics is highly valued for general use due to its long battery life and brilliant Mini LED screen which supports high brightness and color accuracy, making it an excellent choice for portable use without compromising on visual quality. In contrast, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X, while also good for general use thanks to its powerful Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU, offers a vibrant OLED touchscreen display; it caters more towards users requiring a mix of performance and screen quality for creative tasks, although its heavier weight and shorter battery life might lessen its appeal for users needing more mobility.
Content Creation
9.1/10
8.5/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
8.9/10
8.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
9.3/10
8.3/10
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
354.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro's Retina display with high resolution and brightness delivers a crisp and vivid experience, while the ASUS Zenbook's OLED panel offers deep blacks and high contrast, though slightly less brightness. In engineering and design, the MacBook Pro's superior color accuracy across wide color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB ensures precise color representation, an edge over the ASUS Zenbook despite its excellent color performance. However, for 3D applications, the ASUS Zenbook's higher refresh rate provides smoother visuals, as the MacBook Pro's focus on resolution and color accuracy does not prioritize the high refresh rates essential for optimal 3D rendering and gaming experiences.
Battery
17.5 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,423
$1,300
$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 Pro 16X costs $1,300.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) are both good for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
8.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is known for its powerful CPU, ample RAM, high-quality GPU, and exceptional retina display, which are crucial for running complex engineering software and detailed design work. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X also offers a robust CPU, plenty of RAM, a strong GPU, and a vivid screen, but it additionally provides a tactile keyboard and is quieter under load, though it is typically heavier and less portable than the MacBook.
Portability
Good
Good
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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 new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) or the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
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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