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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is suited for customers seeking a laptop with high performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, and it also offers an impressive display for color-sensitive work. Its larger screen supports fast motion well, contributing to a smoother experience in creative applications and video playback. However, it's heavier than the HP Dragonfly Pro 14", making it less portable. In contrast, the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" is a more portable option with touchscreen capability and a good balance for general use, but it may not perform as well in highly demanding tasks or provide as precise color representation. It is also more budget-friendly compared to the premium-priced Apple MacBook Pro. 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 (Late 2023)
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good 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 Dragonfly Pro 14"
- Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.8
8.0
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
405.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and HP Dragonfly Pro 14" are both very good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023), with its high-resolution Mini LED screen and powerful M3 Pro processor, provides vivid image quality and robust performance ideal for various tasks, supported by an impressive battery life that enhances portability. In contrast, the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" offers a combination of solid performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen processor, a comfortable keyboard, and efficient heat management, wrapped in a more portable and lightweight design, making it well-suited for on-the-go users who also value touch screen functionality.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.5
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) excels in 3D tasks as it houses a stronger GPU and a higher screen refresh rate which are very important for such tasks, despite the fact that it might not support many popular games due to its operating system. The HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has a fair performance for gaming and 3D applications with its decent GPU and standard screen refresh rate, plus it benefits from a Windows operating system that supports a wider range of games.
Engineering and Design
8.9
7.6
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.7/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is outfitted with a higher caliber CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a superior Mini LED screen, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design programs, though it comes with a heavier build and less portability. In contrast, the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" balances respectable performance hardware suitable for engineering tasks with greater portability and a touch-enabled IPS display, making it a versatile choice but less powerful for intensive graphics work.
Content Creation
8.9
7.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.7/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for content creation, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 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
7.8
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.7/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for software development, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 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
7.1
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
405.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If a stunning display is key, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 excels with high resolution and brightness, making it ideal for general use and professional design work where vibrant and accurate colors are crucial. The HP Dragonfly Pro doesn't shine as brightly, but it still delivers good visual quality for everyday tasks and design projects, though it falls short for 3D work due to its basic refresh rate. For gaming or 3D applications, the MacBook Pro isn't optimal either, as its refresh rate isn't designed for the high-paced motion that these tasks demand.
Battery
17.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has 10 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
0.7in
The HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has very good portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has best in class build quality, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,499
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has a price of $2,499 and the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" costs $1,400.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) | HP Dragonfly Pro 14" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,499 | $1,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 12.4'' x 8.8'' x 0.72'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 3.42 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 8.78" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (12C) | AMD Ryzen 7 7736U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 18 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 64.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 405 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
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 | 1440p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 3 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 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."
HP Dragonfly Pro 14"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Brendan Nystedt | March 2023
"I’d say that the HP Dragonfly Pro checks off most of the boxes for this freelancer. It feels nice to use, is zippy and responsive, has great speakers, and even has a relatively sane price. Although it’s an unorthodox choice to pick AMD for this kind of machine, it’s clear that when Ryzen is given a chance to shine, it can kick a lot of butt."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) or the HP Dragonfly Pro 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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