Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro vs ASUS ROG Ally X
The Verdict
Comparing these devices proves difficult because they serve fundamentally different purposes. Apple's MacBook Pro 14 is a professional workstation offering exceptional display quality with 1600-nit Liquid Retina XDR technology, outstanding battery life up to 17 hours, and the powerful M2 Pro chip with 19-core GPU for creative workflows. ASUS ROG Ally X is a portable gaming handheld with 7-inch display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, and 24GB RAM, designed for gaming anywhere despite only 3-10 hours battery life. MacBook Pro excels for professionals needing portable computing power, content creation, and longevity. ROG Ally X targets gamers wanting PC gaming in handheld form. For serious work and multitasking, MacBook Pro's superior display, processing capability, and battery justify the investment. For gaming portability on a budget, Ally X delivers. MacBook Pro wins as the more versatile, capable machine for general computing despite higher cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro if…
- →Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- →ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling
- →M2 Pro delivers outstanding multi-core performance for creative pros
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally X if…
- →Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- →24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- →1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro
Pros
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling
- M2 Pro delivers outstanding multi-core performance for creative pros
- Excellent port selection — HDMI, SD card, MagSafe, and 3 Thunderbolt
- 17-hour battery life despite the high-performance chip
Cons
- Starting price of $1,999 is steep
- 16 GB base RAM should be 32 GB at this price point
- 3.5 lbs is heavier than the M2 Air or 13-inch Pro
- Notch in the display can be distracting
- No Face ID — still relies on Touch ID
ASUS ROG Ally X
Pros
- Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- 24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- 1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
- Two USB-C ports allow charging while connecting accessories
- Improved ergonomic grips and button layout over original Ally
Cons
- Heavier at 678 g due to the larger battery
- Same Z1 Extreme chip — no generational performance leap
- Removed microSD slot compared to original ROG Ally
- IPS LCD still lacks OLED contrast and HDR capability
- $799 puts it close to full laptop pricing territory
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro | ASUS ROG Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) | 678 g |
| Material | Aluminum | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics |
| Dimensions | 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-C ports | 3 | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours | 3-10 hours (game dependent) |
| Capacity | 70 Wh | 80 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 7 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 8 TB) | — |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU |
| Chipset | Apple M2 Pro | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | — | 1 TB 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 14" M2 Pro or the ASUS ROG Ally X.