Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 vs ASUS TUF Gaming A17
The Verdict
MacBook Pro 14" M4 and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 serve fundamentally different purposes. Apple's machine excels with its stunning 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR display delivering 1600 nits of brightness, exceptional color accuracy, and 120Hz ProMotion smoothness. The M4 chip with 10-core CPU and GPU handles creative work effortlessly, while 24-hour battery life crushes the ASUS's 8-hour endurance. At 1.55 kg, it's ultra-portable. However, 512GB storage is limiting at this price point with no expandability. The ASUS counters with a larger 17.3-inch 1920x1080 display, double the storage at 1TB, and genuine gaming credentials via Ryzen 7 7735HS and 144Hz panel. Its plastic chassis feels less premium, and 2.6 kg with 8-hour battery make travel inconvenient. Choose MacBook Pro 14" M4 if you prioritize display quality, battery endurance, and professional workflows. Pick ASUS TUF A17 if you want gaming performance, expandable storage, and a bigger screen for budget-conscious gaming and everyday computing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 if…
- →16 GB base RAM at no extra cost
- →Excellent battery life up to 24 hours
- →Mini-LED ProMotion display in entry MacBook Pro
Buy the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 if…
- →RTX 4060 Laptop GPU handles 1080p gaming at high settings
- →90 Wh battery is generous for a budget gaming laptop
- →MIL-STD-810H durability testing for everyday abuse resistance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4
Pros
- 16 GB base RAM at no extra cost
- Excellent battery life up to 24 hours
- Mini-LED ProMotion display in entry MacBook Pro
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus HDMI and SD
- Quiet, efficient operation under typical load
Cons
- M4 lacks the GPU power of Pro/Max chips
- Storage upgrades remain expensive
- Only two external displays supported on M4
- Design unchanged from previous generation
ASUS TUF Gaming A17
Pros
- RTX 4060 Laptop GPU handles 1080p gaming at high settings
- 90 Wh battery is generous for a budget gaming laptop
- MIL-STD-810H durability testing for everyday abuse resistance
- 1 TB SSD included with room for a second M.2 drive
- Large 17.3-inch display is immersive for gaming
Cons
- FHD on a 17.3-inch panel looks pixelated compared to QHD
- 250-nit brightness is dim — struggles in bright rooms
- 5.73 lbs is very heavy for daily carry
- All-plastic construction feels budget-tier
- Speakers are tinny and lack bass
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 | ASUS TUF Gaming A17 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 5.73 lbs (2.6 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 15.56 x 10.77 x 1.02 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours wireless web | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 17.3 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB unified | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS |
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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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