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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
If you're looking for a laptop with high performance for tasks such as video editing or intensive engineering software, and you don't mind a heavier device with a higher cost, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 is an excellent choice. However, if you prefer something more affordable and portable with the flexibility of a 2-in-1 design, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers a good balance for general use and could be a better fit, especially if you also value touch screen functionality and plan to use the laptop on the go more frequently. 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
- Good for gaming and AI
- 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 HP Spectre x360 14
- Very good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4
6.8
5.8/10
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
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is only fair.
The MacBook Pro 16 has a powerful GPU and a high-quality screen, making it well-suited for 3D tasks and some gaming, but keep in mind that many popular games are not compatible with macOS. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers versatility with a fair GPU for lighter gaming and 3D work, and while it boasts a high-quality screen as well, its refresh rate and graphical performance are not on par with the MacBook Pro.
Screen Quality
9.3
8.6
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
487.0 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, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16's screen excels in general use and engineering with its high resolution and brightness, as well as extensive color gamut coverage, ensuring sharp, vibrant and accurate visuals vital for design work. However, for 3D applications, its standard refresh rate may not keep pace with the smoothness demanded by high-speed gaming or animation. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360 14 also offers very good resolution and color representation for general and design tasks but falls short in gaming and 3D contexts due to its refresh rate limitations.
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 (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 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
$2,423
$1,630
$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 HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
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Key similarities
General Use
9.1
8.7
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) to be excellent for general use, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16, with its more powerful CPU and additional RAM, provides smoother performance and is better suited for demanding tasks, while its larger, higher quality screen is ideal for visual work but reduces portability due to size and weight. The HP Spectre x360 14 offers greater portability with its compact design and longer battery life, making it convenient for on-the-go use, although it has a smaller screen and less RAM, which might limit performance during intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.8
8.4
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and HP Spectre x360 14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16, with its high-end CPU, ample RAM, and advanced GPU, excels in handling demanding engineering software, and its large, high-resolution screen offers exceptional detail for design work. In comparison, the HP Spectre x360 14 offers a balance between performance and portability, including a comfortable keyboard and good speakers, which makes it suitable for engineering tasks on the go, although it has a smaller screen and slightly less power than the MacBook Pro.
Content Creation
9.1
8.7
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) to be excellent for content creation, while the HP Spectre x360 14 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
8.4
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 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 (2023) 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 (2023) and the HP Spectre x360 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) | HP Spectre x360 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,423 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 12.4'' x 8.7'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 3.45 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 12.35" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 8.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (12C) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
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 | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 68 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 2160p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
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 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
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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."
HP Spectre x360 14
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Rami Tabari | February 2024
"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 (2023) 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.
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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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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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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.
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