Overview
HP and Apple both offer quality computers, but target different segments. This guide examines how they compare across products, performance, pricing and reliability to help you determine the best brand for your needs.
HP casts a wide net from budget options to high-end specialized systems. Apple crafts premium devices with excellent integration between hardware and macOS.
While specifics vary by model, Apple tends to win on quality and design while HP provides more affordability and flexibility. Read on for an in-depth look across product lineups.
A Quick History
Before diving in, some quick history on both iconic brands:
HP origins trace back to 1939 when Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard founded the company to produce precision audio oscillators. Alongside early wave analyzers and calculators, HP eventually delivered their first computer in 1966 with the HP 2116A minicomputer.
The Apple story starts in 1976 when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak marketed the Apple I DIY computer kit, followed by the pre-assembled Apple II which proved a landmark system across the personal computing revolution. After some ups and downs through the 80s/90s, Apple resurged eventually reaching their current juggernaut status.
While both companies now sell globally recognized brands spanning well beyond just computers, the PC space first planted roots and still represents core offerings.
Apple‘s Refined Lineup
Apple‘s current catalog distills down to just laptops and desktops. But choices still range from the budget-friendly Mac Mini to the expansive Mac Pro tower.
Apple Desktops
| Model | Description | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Mini | Compact headless desktop using M2 or M2 Pro chip | $599 |
| iMac | All-in-one 4.5K Retina desktop with Apple M1/M2 silicon | $1299 |
| Mac Studio | New high power compact with M2 Max/Ultra | $1999 |
| Mac Pro | Expandable tower for pros, up to 28 core Xeon and multiple GPUs | $5499 |
Apple Laptops
| Model | Description | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air | Thin/light with M2 chip, 2560 x 1664 Retina display | $1199 |
| 14′′ MacBook Pro | Portable creative workhorse with M2 Pro | $1999 |
| 16′′ MacBook Pro | Cutting edge components and Liquid Retina XDR | $2499 |
Across the board Apple utilizes their own M-series Arm-based silicon to balance sleek industrial design with leading performance. macOS provides deep software integration.
While limited options keep things simple, Apple still covers a wide range – from the $599 Mac Mini to the 28-core $22,000+ Mac Pro. But quality never wavers although prices run high.
HP Spans a Spectrum
HP‘s catalog runs wider and deeper across towers, all-in-ones, laptops and even handhelds covering enterprise solutions and gaming extremes at various price points.
HP Desktop Offerings
| Family | Description | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pavilion | Mainstream home/office towers using latest Intel/AMD chips | $480 |
| OMEN | Specialized gaming PCs with upgraded cooling and graphics | $950 |
| Envy | Stylish prosumer/creative systems | $699 |
| Z Workstations | Professional computers for specialized applications | $729 |
HP Laptop Offerings
| Family | Description | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chromebooks | Extreme budget laptops running Chrome OS | $269 |
| Pavilion | Everyday home and student laptops | $379 |
| Spectre | High-end ultrabook with premium materials | $999 |
| ZBook Workstations | Mobile workstations with 4K displays and Xeon CPUs | $1849 |
| OMEN | Specialized high-powered gaming laptops | $849 |
The variety stems from catering to a wider swath of computing needs across regular office work, enterprise solutions, prosumer creative tasks, hardcore gaming and more.
HP leverages processors from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm covering everything from Celeron chips in affordable Chromebooks all the way up to unlocked desktop Core i9s capable of 5+ GHz overclocks. Discrete graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia enable high FPS AAA gaming.
Some desktops and certain laptops also allow memory, storage and other customization when ordering direct from HP for precise tailoring.
How They Compare: Core Differences
Stepping back, HP and Apple take very different approaches. Weighing key pillars that drive purchase decisions uncovers pros and cons of each.
Product Selection and Variety
In terms of catalog size, HP provides far more options to precisely match performance and prices to needs across nearly any computing segment. Diverse families from the Essentials series to Z workstations enable configuring solutions for enterprise, prosumers, gamers and budget buyers in education.
Apple maintains a modest range – from the Mac Mini to Mac Pro, Air to Pro laptops. But their approach ensures a consistently premium experience. Lower overall SKUs can actually feel simpler when making purchasing decisions as users know they receive high standards.
| Product Variety | Total Units Shipped[1] | |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Very High | Est 54-60 million |
| Apple | Low | 23+ million Macs |
Hardware Performance
Apple‘s custom silicon combines CPU, GPU, RAM and more onto singular Arm-based M-series chips. These integrate tightly with macOS for blazing real-world speed. But max theoretical throughput hits limits in the slim chassis compared to gaming rigs or expandable towers allowing advanced components.
Some HP desktops support unlocked processors and multiple professional graphics cards for peak speeds apple can‘t touch. But performance crosses a point of diminishing returns for many real workloads.
| CPU Cores[2] | Multi-GPU Support | Benchmark[3] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple M2 Max (Laptop) | 12 | No | 1,853 / 9,828 |
| HP Z2 Mini G9 (Tower) | Up to 18 | Yes, multiple cards | 2,436 / 14,890 |
[1] Annual estimated unit shipments
[2] Count across highest end chips per brand
[3] Passmark benchmarks – CPU / GPU
Build Quality and Reliability
Apple products earn – and for good reason – a reputation for resilience and longevity with impressively low failure rates given their volume. Standards stay uniform across their streamlined portfolio where design aesthetics dictate choices as much as raw utility.
With HP, reliability varies more widely depending on model tier and budget. Some home computers or entry-level options cut more corners that won‘t pass the test of time as readily. However HP business-class systems often carry 3+ year warranties indicating expected productive lifespans matching Apple‘s. Durability improves as you move up product stack towards premium selections.
| Metric | Apple | HP |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Laptop Return Rate[4] | 1.7% | 4.6% |
| Warranty Length[5] | 1 year | Up to 5 years |
Pricing and Configurability
The designated "Apple Tax" still applies – their devices simply cost more across the board. But residual value also keeps a surprising amount of that premium years down the road. HP provides more avenues to economize whether OPTING for pre-configured models on sale or customizing specifically what you need – no more and no less.
Configuring identical specs, Apple generally charges 70-100% above HP if you max performance. But their excellent resale retention recoups cost better long term.
| Specs[6] | Apple Price | HP Price | % Premium | Resale Value (2 yrs)[7] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16GB RAM 1TB SSD Storage | $2,099 | $1,299 | 62% | 57% |
| 32GB RAM 2TB SSD Storage | $2,499 | $1,699 | 47% | 54% |
Which Brand Makes More Sense?
Weigh your priorities. Do you…
- Need specialized or customizable hardware Apple doesn‘t provide?
- Value reliability and plan to keep using your computer over 5+ years?
- Have flexibility around budget constraints versus a threshold on prices?
If you‘re a gamer who wants specific performance tuned components or someone running advanced software better leveraging workstation-class hardware, HP has something for you.
Creative pros doing intensive tasks in areas like video production can benefit from Apple‘s processing muscle contained within impressively compact chassis. Some fields involving lots of Adobe CC or Final Cut Pro work do run a bit smoother on macOS as well.
For long term ownership, Macs make an exquisite single device with enough power for most. While HP workstations offer more expandability, their slower improvement iteration also pushes upgraded replacement sooner.
On the other end, budget flexibility gives HP a leg up if finding the best deal overrides most else. Pre-configured volume models on discount combined with student or seasonal sales can stretch savings further.
There‘s no universally right brand for everyone. But taking an honest look at the differences between Apple and HP should better inform your next computer purchase pick that aligns with exactly what you need. Both make fantastic machines albeit tailored for somewhat different audiences.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
