Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
If you're deciding between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3 Pro/Max) and the Acer Nitro V 15 in 2025, your choice hinges on your priorities: performance and display quality versus budget-friendly gaming. The MacBook Pro 14 is designed for professionals who demand top-tier performance and an exceptional display, featuring a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate. In contrast, the Acer Nitro V 15 is an affordable option for gamers, boasting an Intel Core i5-13420H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, complete with a 15.6-inch FHD display at 144Hz.
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Comparison: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy | ★5(1)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo |
Graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Active (Dual fan cooling system) | Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
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 (LCD; Matte; ComfyView) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 144 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 (Typical) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US Standard (QWERTY) with Numeric Keypad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes (White backlight) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p HD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) |
USB Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Charging); 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
Battery | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 4-cell Li-Ion (57 Wh) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 135 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) | 2.11 kg (4.66 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Plastic chassis (Obsidian Black) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
✓ 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)
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
✓ Pros:
- • Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- • Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
- • Excellent upgradeability (2x RAM slots, 2x M.2 slots)
- • Clean, understated design compared to typical gaming laptops
✗ Cons:
- • Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- • All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
- • Fans can get quite loud under heavy load
- • No SD card slot
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Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3 Pro/Max) wins because of its superior performance metrics, boasting an impressive battery life of 22 hours compared to the Nitro V 15's 5 hours. Additionally, its display quality shines with 1000 nits brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Who should buy each?
Choose MacBook Pro 14 if:
- You need exceptional performance for creative tasks and professional workloads.
- Long battery life is a priority for mobile use.
- Display quality is critical for design and media work.
Choose Acer Nitro V 15 if:
- You're looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop.
- High refresh rate gaming is a priority.
- You prefer the option for easy storage upgrades.
Both are great for: users who want reliable laptops tailored to their specific needs.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
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 Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is better if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). 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.
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