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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) offers a premium build and high-quality display with a longer battery life, making it suitable for professionals who need a reliable machine for general use and multitasking, as well as good performance in engineering tasks. It's slightly heavier and less portable compared to the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, which has a more gaming-oriented design with a powerful GPU and additional gaming features such as hardware ray tracing and DLSS. The ROG also has a higher refresh rate screen and is more versatile with a touchscreen. The MacBook Pro is often slightly more expensive, so if you're looking for a device with a strong emphasis on gaming and a balance between performance and portability, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 would be a better fit. However, for intensive work tasks and better battery life, you may find the extra investment in the MacBook Pro to be worthwhile. 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 14 (2023)
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.2
8.4
14.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
511.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Pro 14's screen stands out for general use and engineering with its high resolution and bright display, providing clear and sharp visuals complemented by wide color coverage, essential for precision in design work. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 offers similar clarity and color fidelity for general use and creative tasks, but its focus is on versatility rather than specialized professional use. However, for 3D applications, both laptops may not be optimal due to lower refresh rates, which are pivotal for smooth rendering and gaming experiences where motion clarity is key.
Battery
13.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has 6.5 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
Very Good
Excellent
14.2in
SIZE
13.4in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.5
8.0
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
511.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and ASUS ROG Flow Z13 are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has robust performance due to its high-quality CPU, abundant RAM, and a superior mini LED screen, it's heavier than the ASUS but offers a longer battery life, appealing to those who prioritize reliability and screen performance for general use. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, on the other hand, though lighter and with additional storage space, has a shorter battery life but offers unique versatility with its detachable keyboard, making it a dual laptop-tablet device suitable for users seeking portability and adaptability in usage scenarios.
Gaming and AI
7.0
7.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.7/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (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
8.0
8.2
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.5
8.2
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and ASUS ROG Flow Z13 are both very good for content creation.
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
8.4
8.0
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and ASUS ROG Flow Z13 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.
Cost
$1,699
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 costs $1,700.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) | ASUS ROG Flow Z13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,699 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | 11.9'' x 8.1'' x 0.54'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.5 lbs | 2.6 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (10C) | Intel i9-13900H | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | M2 Pro (16C) | RTX 4050 (65 W) | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | Yes | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 13.5 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 69.6 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.2" | 13.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 489 nits | 511 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Keyboard Lighting Color | |||
Keyboard Lighting Color | White | RGB | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 4K | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
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 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
ASUS ROG Flow Z13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming tablet with powerful Alder Lake i9 CPU. The ROG Flow Z13 impresses with its good cooling. After our review, the impression is predominantly positive. Besides a very fast Alder Lake CPU and stable gaming performance, especially the cooling system is surprisingly effective and quiet. You can use the integrated speakers without any issues while gaming. The 1200p display in the 16:10 format also impresses with good color reproduction and high brightness. Since the battery runtimes aren't particularly long as it is, we wouldn't recommend the optional 4K panel."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) or the ASUS ROG Flow Z13
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.
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