Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) vs HP Spectre x360 14 (2023)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 13" Intel offers solid performance with four Thunderbolt ports and reliable macOS integration, but it relies on an older 10th-gen Intel processor. HP's Spectre x360 14 (2023) significantly outperforms it with a newer 13th-gen Intel Core i7, superior OLED touchscreen (3000 x 2000 vs 2560 x 1600), and exceptional 16-hour battery life versus 10 hours. HP also includes practical features like a microSD card slot and headphone jack that Apple omits. At $1399 versus $1799, the Spectre x360 provides better value with more modern internals, a convertible design, and superior display technology. While the MacBook Pro excels in build quality and ecosystem consistency, the Spectre x360 offers compelling advantages in performance, battery endurance, and overall capability for the lower price point. HP Spectre x360 14 emerges as the stronger choice for most users.
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 Spectre x360 14 (2023) if…
- →Gorgeous 3K2K OLED touchscreen with 3:2 aspect ratio
- →2-in-1 convertible form factor with stylus support
- →Premium gem-cut aluminum design looks and feels luxurious
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 Spectre x360 14 (2023)
Pros
- Gorgeous 3K2K OLED touchscreen with 3:2 aspect ratio
- 2-in-1 convertible form factor with stylus support
- Premium gem-cut aluminum design looks and feels luxurious
- Good 66 Wh battery provides solid endurance
- 5 MP webcam delivers excellent video call quality
Cons
- 60Hz refresh rate feels outdated for a premium 2023 laptop
- Gets warm during sustained workloads due to thin chassis
- OLED display may be prone to burn-in over time
- Limited to integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics
- Expensive at $1399 starting price
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) | HP Spectre x360 14 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 1.36 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum unibody, gem-cut design |
| Dimensions | 12.0 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches | 299 x 220 x 16.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-C ports | 4 | — |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 4 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Capacity | 58 Wh | 66 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | OLED touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3000 x 2000 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 4 TB) | 512 GB / 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB / 32 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 4 cores / 8 threads | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (10th Gen) | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U |
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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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