Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
When comparing the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and the HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop, it boils down to display and performance: 1,600 nits peak brightness vs 300 nits. The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the flagship option, boasting a jaw-dropping Liquid Retina XDR display and performance that rivals high-end desktops. Battery life: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is rated for up to 18 hours. On the flip side, the HP Pavilion offers upgradable RAM, making it a more flexible budget-friendly choice if you're looking to save money and enhance performance down the line. 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 HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch 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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How We Compare These Products
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Sources Checked
Official specifications, Retailer ratings, Manufacturer documentation, Buyer feedback.
Decision Factors
We weigh processor class, memory, display quality, battery life, ports, weight, and upgrade limits.
Editorial Standard
Research-based analysis from documented specs, published lab measurements, and verified-buyer evidence. Any hands-on note is labeled as such. Full methodology.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple MacBook | HP 15.6" |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7★ (762 reviews) | ✓4.8★ (1,607 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness | Display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class) |
| Main Drawback | Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD | USB-C port supports data only (no charging or video output) |
| 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)
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch 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)
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.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(762)Best Buy | ★4.8(1,607)PageBen |
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) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz (2x 8GB) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 64 GB) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (1x M.2 slot) |
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 (Touchscreen; BrightView) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) | 300 nits |
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) | No |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p HD True Vision camera with privacy shutter |
USB Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps; Data only); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) | 1x HDMI 1.4b |
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 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 45 W Smart AC adapter (Barrel pin) |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) | 1,597 g (3.52 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Recycled plastic |
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)
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch 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)
16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz (2x 8GB)
Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 64 GB)
Pros
- Display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class)
- Memory is fully upgradable (2x DDR4 SODIMM slots)
Cons
- USB-C port supports data only (no charging or video output)
- Keyboard lacks backlighting
Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its stunning 1,600 nits display crushes the HP Pavilion's 300 nits. That said, grab the HP if you want a more affordable option with upgradable RAM - it's lighter at 56.33 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you value a stunning display for photo editing, need top-tier performance for video editing, or require long battery life for travel. (14.2" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U if: you want a more budget-friendly option, plan to upgrade your RAM later, or need a lightweight laptop for everyday tasks. (15.6" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.7★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose HP 15.6"
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,607 reviews vs 762
→ Choose HP 15.6"
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 HP 15.6"
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 HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U leads with a 4.8★ rating versus 4.7★. That said, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch or HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch 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. HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U wins if you value display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class). Both are rated highly (4.7★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch 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 HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U stands out with display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class). Consider that Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for ram and ssd. Meanwhile, HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U usb-c port supports data only (no charging or video output). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+What should I prioritize when choosing between these laptops?
Focus on the features that matter most for your daily use. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch stands out for class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness and m3 max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis. HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U excels at display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class) and memory is fully upgradable (2x ddr4 sodimm slots). Check the spec table above for the complete side-by-side breakdown.
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