Apple MacBook Pro 13" M2 vs ASUS ROG Ally
The Verdict
Comparing these devices is problematic because they serve fundamentally different purposes. Apple's MacBook Pro 13" M2 is a traditional laptop delivering professional productivity with exceptional battery life up to 20 hours, a sharp 2560x1600 Retina display, and the efficient M2 chip with 8GB RAM. ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld gaming device with a 7-inch 1920x1080 display, more powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, 16GB RAM, but disappointing 1.5-7 hour battery life depending on gaming intensity. At $1299 versus $699, the MacBook Pro targets professionals needing all-day computing, while the Ally suits portable gaming enthusiasts willing to sacrifice battery longevity. Choose the MacBook Pro for serious work, creative tasks, and reliability. Select the Ally exclusively for gaming on-the-go with frequent charging access.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 13" M2 if…
- →M2 chip delivers excellent single-threaded and multi-threaded performance
- →Up to 20-hour battery life is class-leading
- →Fanless design keeps the machine silent under light workloads
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" M2
Pros
- M2 chip delivers excellent single-threaded and multi-threaded performance
- Up to 20-hour battery life is class-leading
- Fanless design keeps the machine silent under light workloads
- Excellent P3 wide-color Retina display
- Compact and lightweight at 3.0 lbs
Cons
- Touch Bar instead of physical function keys
- Only 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports — no MagSafe
- 8 GB base RAM feels limiting for professional workloads
- 60Hz display lacks ProMotion high refresh rate
- 256 GB base SSD uses single NAND chip with slower write speeds
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" M2 | ASUS ROG Ally |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.0 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 | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours | 1.5-7 hours (game dependent) |
| Capacity | 58.2 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 | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | — |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/s) |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | 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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all ASUS products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 13" M2 or the ASUS ROG Ally.