Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) vs HP Envy x360 15
The Verdict
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro targets professionals needing portability and ecosystem integration, while HP's Envy x360 15 offers better raw performance and versatility at nearly half the price. The MacBook Pro features a compact 13.3-inch Retina display (2560 x 1600) with 500 nits brightness, weighing just 3.1 lbs, paired with an Intel Core i5-1038NG7 and 10-hour battery life. HP's offering brings a larger 15.6-inch OLED touch display (2880 x 1800) with 400 nits, but the significant advantage lies in its AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads versus the MacBook's 4 cores and 8 threads. Storage and RAM match at 512GB/16GB on both. The Envy x360's 2-in-1 convertible design, HDMI port, SD card slot, and dual USB-A ports provide flexibility the MacBook lacks, though it weighs 4.21 lbs and offers 9-hour battery life. For content creators and those needing maximum portability with macOS, the MacBook Pro justifies its premium. Budget-conscious users prioritizing performance, screen size, Windows functionality, and legacy port support should choose the Envy x360, which delivers better value and modern hardware at $999 versus $1,799.
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 HP Envy x360 15 if…
- →Beautiful 2.8K OLED touchscreen with vibrant colors and deep blacks
- →360-degree hinge for tent, tablet, and presentation modes
- →Aluminum build feels premium at the $999 price point
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
HP Envy x360 15
Pros
- Beautiful 2.8K OLED touchscreen with vibrant colors and deep blacks
- 360-degree hinge for tent, tablet, and presentation modes
- Aluminum build feels premium at the $999 price point
- Full port selection — USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and SD card reader
- Excellent keyboard and responsive touchpad
Cons
- 51 Wh battery limits OLED panel to 7-8 hours in practice
- 4.21 lbs is heavier than ultrabook-class convertibles
- Soldered RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase
- No Thunderbolt — AMD does not support it natively
- OLED panel limited to 60Hz refresh rate
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) | HP Envy x360 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 4.21 lbs (1.91 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 12.0 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches | 14.13 x 9.02 x 0.72 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-C ports | 4 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 4 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Capacity | 58 Wh | 51 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | OLED touch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 4 TB) | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 4 cores / 8 threads | 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (10th Gen) | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U |
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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.
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