Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605)
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. Both launched at roughly the same price ($1,999 vs $1,999), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro stands out for m5 pro: 18-core cpu with super cores, 4x ai performance vs m4, while ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) is praised for gorgeous 240hz oled display with deep blacks. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro if…
- →M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- →Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- →Up to 24 hours battery life
Buy the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) if…
- →Gorgeous 240Hz OLED display with deep blacks
- →Sleek, thin chassis for a 16-inch gaming laptop
- →Powerful RTX 40-series GPU options
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro
Pros
- M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- Up to 24 hours battery life
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip
- Starts at 1TB storage
Cons
- $1999 starting price
- No touchscreen
- Non-upgradable RAM and storage
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605)
Pros
- Gorgeous 240Hz OLED display with deep blacks
- Sleek, thin chassis for a 16-inch gaming laptop
- Powerful RTX 40-series GPU options
- Premium CNC aluminum build quality
- MUX Switch and Advanced Optimus support
Cons
- Expensive base configuration
- Battery life modest under load
- Soldered RAM limits future upgrades
- Runs warm under sustained gaming loads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.85 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 354 x 246 x 16.4 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | OLED ROG Nebula, 16:10 |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 240Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 32 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 16 cores (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs MSI GE76 Raider
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs HP OMEN 17
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Dell G15 Gaming (2024)
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Dell XPS 13 (2023)
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro
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" M5 Pro or the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605).