Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Acer's Aspire 5 targets budget-conscious students and office workers with respectable specs: Intel Core i5-1335U, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 15.6" 1080p IPS display. Battery life reaches 9 hours, adequate for typical workdays. Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro operates in an entirely different league with its revolutionary Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display (1600 nits, 120Hz ProMotion), 24GB unified memory, M4 Pro's superior efficiency, and impressive 22-hour battery life. While the Acer handles everyday tasks competently at $549, it lacks portability (3.9 lbs) and struggles with demanding workloads. MacBook Pro's aluminum unibody construction, three Thunderbolt ports, MagSafe charging, and exceptional performance justify premium pricing for professionals. Budget buyers should choose the Aspire 5; anyone prioritizing performance, display quality, and longevity should invest in the MacBook Pro.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | macOS Sequoia |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 1.60 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 22 hours wireless web |
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 14.2 inches |
| Type | IPS | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3024 x 1964 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 1600 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 24 GB unified |
| Cores | 10 cores (2P + 8E) | 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | Apple M4 Pro |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Aspire 5 (2024)
Pros
- Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
- Full-size HDMI and USB-A ports for hassle-free connectivity
- 9-hour battery life is solid for a budget laptop
Cons
- 60Hz FHD display — no high refresh rate or high resolution
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright-room use
- Plastic body feels less premium than aluminum competitors
- No Thunderbolt — USB-C is data/display only
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Pros
- Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- Long battery life around 22 hours
- Three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed I/O
- Excellent build quality and speakers
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Base RAM bumped to 24 GB raises entry cost
- Notch in display divides opinion
- No cellular or touchscreen option
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