Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro vs ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023)
The Verdict
These laptops serve entirely different markets and use cases. The MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro delivers professional-grade performance with its 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, and 100 Wh battery supporting up to 22 hours of wireless web browsing. Its Liquid Retina XDR display pushes 3456 x 2234 pixels at 120Hz with 1600 nits brightness, ideal for video editing, 3D rendering, and color-critical work. Build quality is exceptional with an aluminum unibody weighing just 2.14 kg. The ASUS VivoBook 15 targets budget-conscious students and casual users with a lighter 1.7 kg chassis and lower price point. However, its 10-core Intel i5-1335U, 8 GB RAM, and 1080p 60Hz IPS display represent a significant performance step down. Battery life maxes out at 8 hours, and the plastic construction feels less premium. Storage is expandable on the ASUS, a practical advantage for budget buyers. For creative professionals, content creators, or anyone needing sustained performance over 8+ hour sessions, the MacBook Pro is worth the investment. The ASUS excels as an affordable everyday laptop for browsing, documents, and streaming, but struggles with demanding applications. This is a clear choice based on your actual needs and budget.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro if…
- →Outstanding 22-hour battery life for a 16-inch professional laptop
- →Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- →M2 Pro handles demanding creative workloads like 4K video editing
Buy the ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023) if…
- →Affordable at $499 with a solid i5-1335U processor
- →512 GB SSD provides decent storage out of the box
- →Lightweight at 1.7 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro
Pros
- Outstanding 22-hour battery life for a 16-inch professional laptop
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- M2 Pro handles demanding creative workloads like 4K video editing
- Excellent port selection including HDMI, SD card, and MagSafe
- Fantastic six-speaker sound system with spatial audio
Cons
- Heavy at 2.14 kg — not ideal for frequent travel
- 16 GB base RAM should be 32 GB at $2499
- M3 Pro lineup arrived months later making this a short-lived generation
- macOS limits gaming compared to Windows alternatives
- No Face ID — relies on Touch ID in the keyboard
ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023)
Pros
- Affordable at $499 with a solid i5-1335U processor
- 512 GB SSD provides decent storage out of the box
- Lightweight at 1.7 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
- ErgoLift hinge design improves typing ergonomics
- Expandable storage via M.2 slot
Cons
- 60Hz display feels outdated
- 42 Wh battery provides mediocre endurance
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright room use
- 8 GB soldered RAM is not upgradeable on some models
- Plastic build feels basic
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro | ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 1.7 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Plastic chassis with metal lid |
| Dimensions | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm | 359.7 x 232.5 x 17.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 42 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe (configurable to 8 TB) | 512 GB PCIe NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB unified | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 Pro | 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U |
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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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