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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro is typically more suited for users who want a blend of performance and portability with a well-integrated software ecosystem, ideal for creative professionals and general users. On the other hand, the MSI Titan is a powerhouse, better for gaming, 3D rendering, and intensive engineering software but comes at a high cost and with reduced portability due to its size and likely shorter battery life. Consider how much value you place on mobility, battery life, and whether your workload justifies the additional investment in the MSI's superior performance capabilities. 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)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Excellent for content creation
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.5
9.4
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 offers a high-quality screen and capable GPU that suits 3D work well, but its refresh rate and Mac's limited game compatibility restrict its use for gaming; the MSI Titan 18 HX, on the other hand, boasts a superior GPU and faster screen refresh rate, making it an outstanding option for gamers and 3D professionals who need top tier performance and don't mind the tradeoff in screen quality.
Engineering and Design
8.9
9.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
18.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 offers a balance of high-quality CPU, RAM, GPU, and screen essential for detailed engineering tasks, making it suitable for professionals who prioritize a mix of performance and portability. The MSI Titan 18 HX, with its superior computing power and graphics capabilities, dominates in raw performance for the most demanding engineering and design workflows, but it sacrifices portability due to its size and weight.
Screen Quality
9.3
9.2
16.2in
SIZE
18.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 for software development.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 integrates a high-resolution display offering vibrant colors and exceptional brightness, enhancing the visual experience for general tasks and making it excellent for engineering and design due to its wide color gamut support. However, its standard refresh rate isn't ideal for 3D applications, where smoother motion provided by higher refresh rates is crucial. Conversely, the MSI Titan's display aligns well with general use and professional design needs, but for gaming and 3D work, its suboptimal refresh rate can make fast-paced visuals less fluid and responsive than preferred.
Battery
17.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
7.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has good portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor 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 MSI Titan 18 HX has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$3,099
$4,949
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has a price of $3,099 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,949.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.8
8.8
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and MSI Titan 18 HX are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 offers a balance of high performance with its capable CPU and ample RAM while also sporting a high-quality screen and long battery life, all in a relatively portable package, making it ideal for general use that involves mobility and all-day work. The MSI Titan, with a similar emphasis on CPU and RAM, excels in screen quality and gaming or intensive tasks, but it is significantly less portable and has shorter battery life, making it better suited for stationary use where power is the priority over mobility.
Content Creation
8.9
9.0
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
18.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Titan 18 HX to be excellent for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) 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
8.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
18.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and MSI Titan 18 HX 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 (Late 2023) and the MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,099 | $4,949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (12C) | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 18 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
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 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 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."
MSI Titan 18 HX
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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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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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