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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 6, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch crushes the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) when it comes to display quality and overall performance. With a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, the MacBook Pro's Liquid Retina XDR display is a game-changer for professionals who need top-tier visuals. In practical terms, the MacBook Pro's 72.4 Wh battery means you get up to 18 hours of video playback, making it perfect for long sessions without charging.
📱 Display: 14.2" vs 15.6"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz⚖️ Weight: 56.79 oz vs 62.79 oz
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9
(3,372)•Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Graphics:Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Active (Dual fan cooling system)
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Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
★4.3
(107)•Amazon
Processor:Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Graphics:Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
AI Engine:No (Not supported)
Cooling:Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
14.2"
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
15.6"Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
120 Hz (ProMotion)Winner
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
60 Hz
Performance2 specs
RAMKey
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified MemoryWinner
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz)
Storage
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
512 GB or 1 TB SSD
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
50 Wh (3-cell Li-ion)
Design1 specs
Weight
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs)Winner
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
1,780 g (3.92 lbs)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
macOS (Sonoma or later)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Windows 11 Home
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
★4.3(107)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy | ★4.3(107)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Active (Dual fan cooling system) | Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (1x M.2 slot; user replaceable) |
Display Size | 14.2" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 (Native) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:9 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) | IPS (Anti-glare, ComfyView) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3); True Tone | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | Fingerprint reader (Integrated in touchpad) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction |
USB Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 50 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 65 W barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) | 1,780 g (3.92 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum (Lid) / Plastic (Chassis) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Rating:★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Graphics:Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Active (Dual fan cooling system)
RAM:18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory
RAM Upgrade:No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase)
Storage:512 GB or 1 TB SSD
Storage Upgrade:No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase)
Display Size:14.2"
Resolution:3024 x 1964 (Native)
Aspect Ratio:16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch)
Screen Type:Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones)
Refresh Rate:120 Hz (ProMotion)
Brightness:1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR)
Color Gamut:Wide color (P3); True Tone
Keyboard Layout:US English (Magic Keyboard)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes (Ambient light sensor)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint reader)
Webcam:1080p FaceTime HD camera
USB Ports:3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s)
Video Ports:1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones)
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Battery:72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Charger:70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter
Weight:1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs)
Build Material:100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure
Operating System:macOS (Sonoma or later)
✓ 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
- • Generous port selection including HDMI 2.1, SDXC, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports
- • Excellent build quality available in the new 'Space Black' finish (reduces fingerprints)
- • Battery life remains impressive despite high performance (up to 18 hours video playback)
✗ Cons:
- • Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- • No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
- • The notch at the top of the display cuts into the menu bar area
- • Under maximum load, the fans can become audible (though quieter than most PC laptops)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Rating:★4.3(107)Amazon
Processor:Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Graphics:Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
AI Engine:No (Not supported)
Cooling:Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
RAM:16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz)
RAM Upgrade:No (Soldered)
Storage:512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
Storage Upgrade:Yes (1x M.2 slot; user replaceable)
Display Size:15.6"
Resolution:1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Aspect Ratio:16:9
Screen Type:IPS (Anti-glare, ComfyView)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Brightness:250 nits (Typical)
Color Gamut:45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB)
Keyboard Layout:US English (ANSI) with NumPad
Keyboard Backlight:Yes
Biometrics:Fingerprint reader (Integrated in touchpad)
Webcam:1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction
USB Ports:1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
Video Ports:1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1
Battery:50 Wh (3-cell Li-ion)
Charger:65 W barrel-pin adapter
Weight:1,780 g (3.92 lbs)
Build Material:Aluminum (Lid) / Plastic (Chassis)
Operating System:Windows 11 Home
✓ Pros:
- • Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket)
- • Sharp 1080p webcam is an upgrade over typical 720p budget cams
- • Aluminum lid gives a premium feel to the exterior
- • Decent performance for office tasks with Core i7-1355U
- • Wi-Fi 6E support for faster wireless connectivity
✗ Cons:
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB)
- • Display has limited color coverage (45% NTSC), appearing washed out
- • Only one M.2 storage slot (no secondary drive support)
- • Battery life is average with a 50Wh capacity
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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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 250 nits.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you need the best display for photography, you work with high-end software requiring powerful specs, or you value long battery life for travel. (14.2" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) if: you want a solid laptop for everyday tasks, you're on a tighter budget, or you need a decent webcam for video calls. (15.6" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch excels if you value class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) is better if you prioritize includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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