Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605)
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) is the cheaper of the two at $1,999 versus $2,499, a difference of about $500. The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro stands out for largest macbook display at 16.2 inches, 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 16" M5 Pro if…
- →Largest MacBook display at 16.2 inches
- →M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations
- →100 Wh battery with 24-hour 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 16" M5 Pro
Pros
- Largest MacBook display at 16.2 inches
- M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations
- 100 Wh battery with 24-hour life
- Thunderbolt 5
- Up to 96GB RAM with M5 Max
Cons
- 2.14 kg is heavy
- $2499 starting price
- Non-upgradable components
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 16" M5 Pro | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 1.85 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 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 | 100 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | OLED ROG Nebula, 16:10 |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 240Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 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 |
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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 16" M5 Pro or the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024, GU605).