Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs MSI Raider GE78 HX
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and MSI Raider GE78 HX sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro is the cheaper of the two at $1,999 versus $2,999, a difference of about $1,000. 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 MSI Raider GE78 HX is praised for rtx 4090 laptop gpu with full 175w tdp for maximum gaming performance. 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 MSI Raider GE78 HX if…
- →RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with full 175W TDP for maximum gaming performance
- →4K Mini-LED display with 1000-nit HDR is stunning for content creation
- →64 GB DDR5 RAM handles any workload out of the box
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
MSI Raider GE78 HX
Pros
- RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with full 175W TDP for maximum gaming performance
- 4K Mini-LED display with 1000-nit HDR is stunning for content creation
- 64 GB DDR5 RAM handles any workload out of the box
- 2 TB storage with room for additional NVMe drives
- Comprehensive port selection including Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- Nearly 7 lbs — this is a desktop replacement, not a portable
- 5-hour battery life — always tethered to power
- Very expensive at $2,999
- Fan noise is substantial under gaming loads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | MSI Raider GE78 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 6.83 lbs (3.1 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 15.63 x 11.73 x 1.0 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 99.99 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 17.3 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | Mini-LED IPS |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 1000 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 64 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 24 cores (8P + 16E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
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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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