Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro
The Verdict
Aspire 5 delivers impressive budget laptop value with a 15.6" 1080p display, Intel Core i5-1335U, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD for $549. MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro offers a genuinely superior experience with a stunning 3456x2234 Liquid Retina XDR display (1600 nits), M4 Pro chip with 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, and exceptional 24-hour battery life at $2499. Performance gap is substantial,the M4 Pro excels in video editing, 3D work, and creative applications with its GPU advantage. Display quality dramatically favors Apple's mini-LED technology versus standard IPS. Battery endurance nearly triples on MacBook. However, Acer's productivity performance is respectable for office work, browsing, and light editing. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing core computing, Aspire 5 provides solid value. Professionals and creative users justifying the investment will find MacBook Pro's capabilities transformative. Choose Acer for affordability, MacBook for premium experience.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) if…
- →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
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro if…
- →Exceptional battery life up to 24 hours
- →Stunning mini-LED XDR display with 1600 nits HDR brightness
- →Class-leading M4 Pro performance and efficiency
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 16" M4 Pro
Pros
- Exceptional battery life up to 24 hours
- Stunning mini-LED XDR display with 1600 nits HDR brightness
- Class-leading M4 Pro performance and efficiency
- Excellent six-speaker sound system
- Wide port selection including HDMI and SD card
Cons
- Very expensive starting price
- Heavy at over 2.1 kg
- RAM and storage not user-upgradeable
- Limited macOS gaming library
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | macOS Sequoia |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 2.14 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 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 24 hours wireless web |
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 100 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 16.2 inches |
| Type | IPS | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3456 x 2234 |
| 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) | 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | Apple M4 Pro |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Acer products or all Apple products. View full details for the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) or the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Pro.