I wanted to have a frank conversation about whether the 14-inch MacBook Pro is truly worth purchasing right now in 2023. As great as Apple products are, this specific MacBook model has some definite downsides to weigh. Through detailed analysis as an industry analyst, I‘ve highlighted 5 compelling reasons why you may want to hold off for now.
Here‘s a quick summary of the 5 key factors I would avoid:
- The pricing remains incredibly expensive, sometimes $1,000+ more than rival Windows laptops
- Gaming performance still noticeably lags winning Windows gaming rigs
- The front camera notch is a controversial aesthetic you may dislike
- Legacy USB-A ports are still absent, requiring dongles for many accessories
- Customization options around colors and specs remain very limited
Let‘s dive deeper into each reason…
1. Pricing Borders on the Absurd for Most Buyers
Plunking down $2,000 or more is no easy pill to swallow. But buying a 14-inch MacBook Pro pushes that budget-busting price even higher with certain configurations:
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Base 14" Model | $1,999 |
| Fully maxed-out model | $6,598 |
As you can see, you‘re looking at spending the cost of a used car if you want the highest tier MacBook Pro with 8TB SSD storage, 96GB RAM, M2 Max chip, etc.
Now compare that to this excellent Razer Blade 14 Windows laptop alternative I recommend later. It offers similar performance and flagship quality for nearly $1,000 less on average!
Ask yourself – is paying a 4 figure premium for the Apple name worth it when you can get 97% of the functionality for much less in a Windows machine? For most shoppers, the answer is likely no.
2. Gaming Performance Can‘t Match Dedicated Windows Rigs
Don‘t get me wrong – the processing power on these new MacBook Pros is excellence for accelerated workloads like video editing, data analysis, 3D modeling, etc.
But for hardcore gaming? The 14-inch MacBook Pro falls a bit flat.
Many hot AAA title games simply don‘t natively run on macOS. You often have to use various compatibility workarounds which hinder fps, graphics, and game performance compared to Windows laptops purpose-built for gaming.
Let‘s compare some numbers:
| Model | 3DMark TimeSpy Score | Top FPS | Native Game Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14" MacBook Pro 2023 | 9,500 | ~100 FPS | Partial |
| Razer Blade 14 | 12,000 | ~165 FPS | Native |
As you can see from independent gaming benchmarks, the Razer Blade 14 outperforms the MacBook Pro by 25%+ FPS. And it does so while natively supporting all latest games without performance downsides.
Clearly if you want a real gaming beast, Windows is still the superior platform, making the 14-inch MacBook Pro less than ideal for hardcore gamers.
3. The Visible Notch May Bug You
This one really comes down to personal preference. But plenty of users have complained about the visibility of the display notch near the top of the screen on these latest 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
It houses components like the webcam, Face ID sensors, microphones, and ambient light sensors packed into that condensed space. But the result is a clearly visible notch eating into the otherwise slim bezels.
Many users find it visually unappealing and distracting depending on the app or web page they have open. Windows laptop makers have hidden or eliminated the notch in their designs, so you don‘t have to tolerate it.
For example, premium alternatives like the Lenovo Yoga 9i tout completely notchless edge-to-edge designs achieving the same effect. If you find the notch unsightly, Windows machines dodge this annoyance.
4. Port Selection Still Lacks USB-A
Look, I get it – USB-C and Thunderbolt represent the future. Kudos to Apple for embracing USB-C across their lineup. The problem? Tons of mice, drives, printers, cameras, and other accessories still rely on legacy USB-A ports which require dongles to use with the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
According to Statista, over 5 billion USB-A devices exist in the world as of the end of 2021. That dwarfs the <2 billion USB-C devices in use. So odds are, you probably have gear that will need adapters.
Meanwhile, many Windows competitors like the HP Spectre x360 14 smartly incorporate both USB-C and USB-A ports for perfect backward and forward compatibility. No adapters needed! For that reason, MacBooks still lag a bit here on legacy support.
5. You Can‘t Customize Much Beyond the Specs
I‘ll wrap up with a more minor, but still relevant point – the lack of personalization and customization options for these MacBook Pros compared to rivals.
Don‘t expect Apple to let you choose different colors beyond Silver or Space Gray. Want 32GB RAM and 2TB storage? Go ahead. But that‘s about the extent of what you can tailor.
Meanwhile, Windows laptops bend over backwards on customization around specs, colors, materials, branding, and more. For example, that Lenovo Yoga 9i comes in fun options like Storm Grey and Oatmeal colors. And gaming rigs like the Razer Blade let you customize special edition skins and colors for full personalization.
For those wanting to put more of a personal touch on their premium laptop purchase, Apple really limits you here. So that creative freedom to express yourself is missing compared to Windows options.
If those 5 limitations have made you hesitant about rushing into a 14-inch MacBook Pro, don‘t worry! There are some really compelling Windows-based alternatives that dodge these downsides.
Here are three excellent contenders I‘d recommend considering instead:
Razer Blade 14 – The Ultimate MacBook Pro Gaming Rival
If you want a true high-end portable gaming machine, the Razer Blade 14 is my top recommendation as an enthusiast.
It can be configured with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, AMD Ryzen 6000 series processors, up to 16GB VRAM, and a vibrant 1440p display pushing 165Hz refresh rates. All that hardware is purpose-built for premium gaming experiences.
Reviewers and gamers consistently rank the Razer Blade 14 as among the best Windows gaming laptops. It outclasses the MacBook Pro‘s middling gaming capabilities while delivering incredible speed for creative workloads too.
And despite being a gaming machine, the Razer still offers excellent metal build quality and aesthetics on par with Apple‘s coveted designs. Given the $400-$1000+ savings even compared to a 14-inch MacBook Pro, I consider the Razer Blade 14 an easy recommendation if you want awesome gaming performance without compromise.
Lenovo Yoga 9i – A Stylish MacBook Pro 2-in-1 Alternative
If you need a more mainstream workhorse, Lenovo makes incredibly compelling laptops hitting the sweet spot on features, design, and value. Case in point – the exceptional Lenovo Yoga 9i.
It stands out from the MacBook Pro crowd by offering a premium 2-in-1 convertible design. That 14-inch near bezel-less OLED touchscreen display looks gorgeous and rotates 360-degrees into tablet mode.
The Yoga 9i doesn‘t hold back on performance either thanks to 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processors and Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics. It keeps up with Apple‘s silicon easily for most productivity needs.
Reviewers praise Lenovo for delivering outstanding build quality complete with watchband hinges, sandblasted aluminum chassis, and six stylish color options including fun picks like Storm Grey.
If you like the idea of combining MacBook Pro-quality craftsmanship with flexible 2-in-1 functionality and eye-catching style, the Lenovo Yoga 9i sells for $400-$600 less while checking those boxes.
HP Spectre x360 14 – A Value-Packed MacBook Pro Convertible
If keeping costs down is important, HP makes another great convertible alternative that is literally half the price of Apple‘s premium machine.
The HP Spectre x360 14 2-in-1 laptop provides tremendous value at just $1,149 and up.
For those budget savings, you still a bright OLED touch display with 3K resolution, latest 12th-gen Intel processors, a premium metal build, fingerprint reader, and the flexibility of a convertible form factor.
Reviewers like Digital Trends call it "the best convertible laptop for the money" which is high praise when it still looks and performs this well. If keeping your spending under control is important without fully compromising, I‘d take a hard look at the HP Spectre x360 14 as an affordable MacBook Pro alternative.
I know that was a ton of information I just unloaded about the limitations around buying a 14-inch MacBook Pro today. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Whether you want to dig deeper on a certain point, clarify anything, or get my two cents about other options, I‘m always happy to talk tech.
Just trying to make sure you go into any potential MacBook Pro purchase making the most informed choice possible. Don‘t hesitate to holler if you want to chat more!
