Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
The Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) is the mid-range option here, but it brings some impressive features like Thunderbolt 4 support. In contrast, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the flagship beast with a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, making it the go-to for creatives and professionals who need top-tier performance. After testing both laptops, I found that the Acer's 15.6" display serves well for everyday tasks, but it can't compete with the MacBook Pro's stunning 1,600 nits peak brightness. Key specs: Display: 15.6" vs 14.2" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) (mid-range) and Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (premium flagship) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Acer Aspire | Apple MacBook |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.2★ (111 reviews) | ✓4.9★ (3,372 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket) | Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness |
| Main Drawback | RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded | Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD |
| Market Position | Mid-range | ✓Flagship |
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
No (Not supported)
TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
16-core Neural Engine
Active (Dual fan cooling system)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
| Criterion | Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(111)Amazon | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory) | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | 16-core Neural Engine |
Cooling | TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard) | Active (Dual fan cooling system) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard) | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 14.2" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 3024 x 1964 (Native) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) |
Screen Type | IPS (LCD; LED-backlit; ComfyView; Anti-glare) | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (ProMotion) |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (Typical) | Wide color (P3); True Tone |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) | US English (Magic Keyboard) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes (Ambient light sensor) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Touchpad integrated) | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 3-cell Li-Ion (50 Wh) | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) |
Charger | 65 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter |
Weight | 1.78 kg (3.92 lbs) | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum top cover; Plastic chassis (Steel Gray) | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | macOS (Sonoma or later) |
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Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
No (Not supported)
TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket)
- 1080p webcam with noise reduction
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- Display has limited color gamut (45% NTSC) and average brightness
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
16-core Neural Engine
Active (Dual fan cooling system)
18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory
No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase)
Pros
- Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
- M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis
Cons
- Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its 1,600 nits peak brightness crushes the Acer Aspire 5's average display.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) if: you need a budget-friendly laptop for casual use, require Thunderbolt 4 support, or want a portable option.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you need a top-tier display for creative work, require powerful performance for demanding tasks, or want longer battery life for extended use. (14.2" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.9★ vs 4.2★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,372 reviews vs 111
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Acer Aspire
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch leads with a 4.9★ rating versus 4.2★. That said, Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) or Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch?
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) is the better choice if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket). Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch wins if you value class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Both are rated highly (4.2★ vs 4.9★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) and Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch?
Key differences: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) offers thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket), while Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch stands out with class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Consider that Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded. Meanwhile, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for ram and ssd. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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