Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
In the showdown between the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U), the MacBook Pro stands out with its notable display resolution of 3024 x 1964 versus 1920 x 1080 on the Acer. Meanwhile, the Acer Aspire 5 is a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers, offering decent performance and a Thunderbolt 4 port. Key specs: Display: 14.2" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (premium flagship) and Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) (mid-range) 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 | Apple MacBook | Acer Aspire |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.9★ (3,372 reviews) | 4.3★ (107 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness | Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket) |
| Main Drawback | Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD | RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Mid-range |
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)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
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: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
| 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
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)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket)
- Sharp 1080p webcam is an upgrade over typical 720p budget cams
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB)
- Display has limited color coverage (45% NTSC), appearing washed out
Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its stunning display resolution of 3024 x 1964 crushes the Acer Aspire 5's 1920 x 1080.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you want the best display for creative work, need a longer-lasting battery for travel, or require powerful performance for software. (14.2" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) if: you need a budget-friendly laptop for everyday tasks, value a design, or prefer a laptop with a Thunderbolt 4 port for versatile connectivity.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.9★ vs 4.3★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,372 reviews vs 107
→ 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
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch edges ahead with a 4.9★ rating compared to 4.3★. However, Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch or Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better choice if you prioritize class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) wins if you value includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Both are rated highly (4.9★ vs 4.3★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)?
Key differences: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch offers class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness, while Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) stands out with includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Consider that Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for ram and ssd. Meanwhile, Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16gb). 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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