Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs ASUS TUF Gaming A17
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is the cheaper of the two at $1,199 versus $1,999, a difference of about $800. 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 TUF Gaming A17 is praised for rtx 4060 laptop gpu handles 1080p gaming at high settings. 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 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
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 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" M5 Pro | ASUS TUF Gaming A17 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 5.73 lbs (2.6 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 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 | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 17.3 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | 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.
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 TUF Gaming A17.