Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs MSI Raider GE78 HX
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and MSI Raider GE78 HX sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro is the cheaper of the two at $2,499 versus $2,999, 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 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 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 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 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
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 16" M5 Pro | MSI Raider GE78 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 6.83 lbs (3.1 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 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 | 100 Wh | 99.99 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 17.3 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | Mini-LED IPS |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 1000 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all MSI products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro or the MSI Raider GE78 HX.