Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) vs ASUS ROG Ally
The Verdict
Comparing a traditional laptop against a handheld gaming device reveals fundamentally different use cases. Apple's MacBook Pro 13" Intel offers a full productivity machine with a 13.3-inch Retina display, 10-hour battery life, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Intel's 10th Gen i5 processor suited for professional work and creative tasks. ASUS ROG Ally is a portable gaming handheld featuring a 7-inch 120Hz display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, and Windows 11, delivering exceptional gaming performance in a pocket-sized form factor despite 1.5-7 hour battery life depending on game intensity. At $1799, the MacBook Pro excels for productivity, office applications, and content creation with its superior portability and all-day battery. At $699, the Ally dominates PC gaming on the go with significantly more raw GPU power. These aren't direct competitors: choose the MacBook for work and everyday computing, choose the Ally for portable AAA gaming. For most users seeking a general-purpose laptop, the MacBook remains the stronger recommendation.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) if…
- →4 Thunderbolt 3 ports — double the lower-end 13-inch models
- →16 GB RAM standard in the 4-port configuration
- →Supports multiple external displays unlike M1 models
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally if…
- →Ryzen Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 GPU outperforms Steam Deck in raw power
- →Full 1080p IPS display at 120Hz for sharper and smoother gaming
- →Windows 11 gives access to all PC game stores and launchers
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020)
Pros
- 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports — double the lower-end 13-inch models
- 16 GB RAM standard in the 4-port configuration
- Supports multiple external displays unlike M1 models
- Excellent Retina display with P3 wide color and True Tone
- Reliable Intel ecosystem with broad software compatibility
Cons
- Dramatically outperformed by the M1 chip in both speed and efficiency
- 10-hour battery life is nearly half the M1 MacBook Pro
- Fans spin up frequently and loudly under moderate loads
- Touch Bar is widely disliked and was later discontinued
- Thermal throttling limits sustained performance
ASUS ROG Ally
Pros
- Ryzen Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 GPU outperforms Steam Deck in raw power
- Full 1080p IPS display at 120Hz for sharper and smoother gaming
- Windows 11 gives access to all PC game stores and launchers
- Lighter at 608 g compared to the Steam Deck
- MicroSD expansion for extra game storage
Cons
- 40 Wh battery provides very poor endurance — as low as 1.5 hours
- Windows 11 is not optimized for handheld — requires workarounds
- Only one USB-C port limits simultaneous charging and peripherals
- No OLED — IPS LCD has weaker contrast and no true blacks
- Fan noise is loud under heavy gaming loads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) | ASUS ROG Ally |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 608 g |
| Material | Aluminum | Plastic chassis |
| Dimensions | 12.0 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches | 280.0 x 111.4 x 32.4 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-C ports | 4 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 4 | — |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | 1.5-7 hours (game dependent) |
| Capacity | 58 Wh | 40 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 7 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 4 TB) | — |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/s) |
| Cores | 4 cores / 8 threads | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (10th Gen) | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | — | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
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.
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