Apple recently launched its new Macbook Pro lineup, boasting increased performance and high-end specifications.
The new Macbook Pro has a number of new features, including a Touch Bar and next-gen graphics performance.
Despite its implementation of AMD’s Polaris architecture, the Macbook Pro still has far less GPU power than a modern gaming laptop.
This is mainly due to the small, mobile-class Radeon GPU inside the Macbook Pro, as newer gaming laptops make use of full desktop-class Nvidia GeForce GTX 10 Series cards.
It is also important to note that while users can only purchase a Macbook Pro with up to 16GB of memory, most new gaming laptops can support up to 32GB or 64GB of RAM.
Below are the specifications of the new Macbook Pro lineup:
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13-inch MacBook Pro
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|---|---|---|---|
| Specifications | MacBook Pro – No Touch Bar | MacBook Pro 256GB | MacBook Pro 512GB |
| Processor | 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8GB 1,866MHz | 8GB 2,133MHz | 8GB 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe-based SSD | 256GB PCIe-based SSD | 512GB PCIe-based SSD |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Graphics 540 | Intel Iris Graphics 550 | Intel Iris Graphics 550 |
| Display | 13.3-inch (2,560 x 1,600) | 13.3-inch (2,560 x 1,600) | 13.3-inch (2,560 x 1,600) |
| Dimensions | 14.9 x 304 x 212 mm | 14.9 x 304 x 212 mm | 14.9 x 304 x 212 mm |
| Weight | 1.37kg | 1.37kg | 1.37kg |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C | 4x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C | 4x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C |
| Price | $1,499 | $1,799 | $1,999 |
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15-inch MacBook Pro
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|---|---|---|
| Specifications | MacBook Pro 256GB | MacBook Pro 512GB |
| Processor | 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 | 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 |
| RAM | 16GB 2,133MHz | 16GB 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe-based SSD | 512GB PCIe-based SSD |
| Graphics | Radeon Pro 450 2GB | Radeon Pro 455 2GB |
| Display | 15.4-inch (2,880 x 1,800) | 15.4-inch (2,880 x 1,800) |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 349 x 240 mm | 15.5 x 349 x 240 mm |
| Weight | 1.83kg | 1.83kg |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ports | 4x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C | 4x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C |
| Price | $2,399 | $2,799 |
We have compared the specifications of Apple’s new Macbook Pro lineup with the GTX 10 Series-powered gaming laptops currently available in South Africa.
We did not include older gaming laptops that use Maxwell cards, as the newer Pascal-powered models feature greater performance at a similar price point.
While not all GTX 10 Series laptops are available in South Africa, MSI, Gigabyte, and Asus Pascal-powered devices are currently available for purchase.
These notebooks may not have the slim form factor of the Macbook Pro, but the new generation of graphics hardware has allowed for these devices to become sleeker than ever.
Check out the powerful gaming laptops you can buy in South Africa that are better than the Macbook Pro:
Gigabyte
Gigabyte P57X v6
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ 3.5GHz |
| Display | 17.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS LCD |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 1TB 7,200 RPM HDD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8GB |
| Price | R28,786 |
Gigabyte P35X v6
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ 3.50GHz |
| Display | 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS LCD |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 1TB 7,200 RPM HDD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8GB |
| Price | R33,503 |
Gigabyte P37X v6
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ 3.5GHz |
| Display | 17.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS LCD |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 1TB 7,200RPM HDD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8GB |
| Price | R33,201 |
Aorus X5 v6
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6820HK 3.60GHz |
| Display | 15.6-inch 2,880 x 1,620 IPS LCD G-Sync |
| Memory | 16GB DDr4 2,400MHz |
| Storage | 1x 256GB SSD, 1x 1TB 7,200 RPM HDD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8GB |
| Price | R39,453 |
Aorus X7 v6
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6820HK 3.60GHz |
| Display | 17.3-inch 2,560 x 1,440 120Hz G-Sync |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 2,400MHz |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD + 1TB 7,200RPM HDD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8GB |
| Price | R45,495 |
MSI
MSI GT83VR Titan SLI
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 6820HK |
| Graphics Card | Geforce GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X SLI |
| Display | 1,920×1,080, 18.4-inch, IPS |
| Memory | 32GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 512GB SSD, 1TB HDD |
| Input | SteelSeries Mechanical Keyboard – Cherry MX Brown |
| Price | R83,699 |
MSI GT73VR Titan Pro
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 6820HK |
| Graphics Card | GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X |
| Display | 1,920×1,080, 17.3-inch, 120Hz |
| Memory | 32GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 512GB SSD, 1TB HDD |
| Input | SteelSeries Multi-color Backlit Keyboard |
| Price | R53,799 |
MSI GT72VR Dominator
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 6700HQ |
| Graphics Card | GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5 |
| Display | 1,920×1,080, 17.3-inch, 120Hz |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD |
| Input | SteelSeries Multi-color Backlit Keyboard |
| Price | R44,600 |
MSI GE72VR Apache Pro
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 6700HQ |
| Graphics Card | GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 |
| Display | 1,920×1,080, 17.3-inch, 120Hz |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD |
| Input | SteelSeries Multi-color Backlit Keyboard |
| Price | R30,575 |
MSI GE62VR Apache Pro
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 6700HQ |
| Graphics Card | GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 |
| Display | 1,920×1,080, 15.6-inch, IPS |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 128GB SSD, 1TB HDD |
| Input | SteelSeries Multi-color Backlit Keyboard |
| Price | R29,669 |
Asus
ASUS ROG G752VM
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel core i7-6700HQ |
| Display | 17.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 2,400MHz |
| Storage | 1TB 7,200RPM HDD, supports NVMe PCIe SSD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 |
| Price | R34,745 |
Asus ROG G752VS
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ |
| Display | 17.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 2,400MHz |
| Storage | 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB 5,400RPM HDD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 |
| Price | R36,294 |
Asus ROG Strix GL502VS
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ |
| Display | 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 2,400MHz |
| Storage | 1TB 7200RPM HDD, 256GB M.2 SSD |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 |
| Price | R33,058 |
