TLDR;
This video compares the latest MacBooks (Neo and Pro) against comparable Windows laptops (HP and Asus) in 2026 across 12 categories, including unboxing, build quality, performance, battery life, storage, call quality, ports, input experience, speakers, display, software, and durability. The MacBooks generally offer better build quality, performance, and user experience within the Apple ecosystem, while Windows laptops provide more storage, better battery life at the budget end, and greater versatility in software and compatibility. The drop test revealed surprising results, with the MacBook Neo being the only one to survive relatively unscathed.
- MacBooks generally excel in build quality and performance.
- Windows laptops offer more storage and better battery life at the budget end.
- Software versatility and compatibility favor Windows.
- The MacBook Neo surprisingly survived the drop test better than the other laptops.
Unboxing Experience [0:38]
Apple's unboxing experience is fancier, but Windows laptops include a charger, which is a significant advantage considering the cost of purchasing one separately for MacBooks (around $100 for the MacBook Pro charger). The inclusion of a charger with both the budget HP Omnibook 5 and the high-end Asus ProArt P16 gives Windows a unanimous win in this category.
Build Quality and Durability [1:54]
The MacBook Neo has superior build quality compared to its HP Windows equivalent, featuring a sturdy, all-aluminum body. The HP feels cheaper with more plastic components and noticeable bending. While the high-end Asus ProArt P16 is more rigid and has military-grade protection, it still feels less premium than the MacBook Pro, particularly in the underside and hinge wobble. The MacBook Pro's hinge is exceptionally sturdy. A drop test is conducted later to further assess durability.
Performance [3:19]
MacBooks have lower specs for the price, such as less RAM (8GB in the MacBook Neo vs. 16GB in the HP). The MacBook Pro outperforms in boot-up and multitasking speed tests. Geekbench 6 CPU tests show MacBooks eviscerating Windows machines in single-core performance, with the MacBook Pro scoring 53% higher at the top end and the entry-level Mac showing a 70% higher score.
Battery Life [5:23]
The high-end Windows laptop dies quickly at 4 hours 16 minutes due to its RTX 5090 graphics card. The MacBook Pro lasts substantially longer at 5 hours 20 minutes. The MacBook Neo runtime is similar to the Pro. The budget Windows laptop lasts the longest at 8 hours and 8 minutes, showing that Windows can achieve excellent battery life with a large battery and an efficient Snapdragon X chip.
Storage [7:06]
Windows laptops offer double the storage of their Mac counterparts at both budget and pro levels. The HP has 512GB compared to the MacBook Neo's 256GB, and the Asus has 4TB compared to the MacBook Pro's 2TB. Apple makes significant margins on storage upgrades, making this a clear win for Windows.
Call Quality [7:41]
The budget Windows laptop has terrible audio and struggles with image exposure. The MacBook Neo offers more stable images and natural voice quality. The MacBook Pro has similar video quality with a studiograde microphone setup. The Asus has fantastic microphone quality but poor image quality. MacBooks win in call quality across the board.
Ports and Connectivity [9:00]
Budget Windows laptops offer more ports, including a headphone jack, full-size USBA, and two USBC ports, while the base MacBook only has a headphone jack and two USBC ports (one of which is USB 2). The high-end MacBook Pro has blazing fast Thunderbolt 5 ports, while the top-end Windows laptop has a mix of ports with varying speeds. Apple's MagSafe charging is superior to most Windows charging ports. Windows wins at the bottom, and Apple wins at the top.
Input Experience: Keyboard and Trackpad [10:44]
The MacBook Neo lacks backlighting, a critical omission. However, the MacBook's keyboard and trackpad feel higher quality than the Windows equivalent. The Mac trackpad is smoother, more precise, and satisfying to click anywhere on the pad. The MacBook Pro fixes the backlighting issue, earning a win in the luxury category. The Asus trackpad is good but not as good as the MacBook Pro's.
Speakers [12:39]
The MacBook Neo has decent side-firing speakers (5/10). The budget Windows laptop has harsher, downward-firing speakers (4/10). The MacBook Pro has much better, fuller sound with six speakers (9/10). The pro Windows laptop is close but not as crisp (8/10). Mac is slightly ahead at both price points.
Display [13:56]
The HP has an OLED panel, but the MacBook Neo has a more color-accurate display with higher resolution and brightness. The Asus ProArt has a 4K OLED touchscreen, making it superior. Apple wins at the budget end, and Windows wins at the highest end.
Software Experience [15:57]
Windows is better for gaming due to the number of optimized games and dedicated GPUs. Windows also has wider compatibility with specialist software and peripherals. Apple offers a smoother experience within its closed ecosystem, with features like AirDrop and seamless copy-pasting between devices. The Mac has smoother animations and fewer random lags. Windows machines work in a messier, more complicated way with more room for error.
Drop Test and Final Scores [18:41]
The drop test results: the MacBook Neo survives with minor damage, the budget Windows laptop is completely dead, the MacBook Pro's screen shatters, and the pro Windows laptop's screen also shatters. The MacBook Neo is the only laptop getting a point in this category. The final scores are 10 to Mac and 7 to Windows in the budget category, and 10 to Mac and 6 to Windows in the pro category. Mac is the overall winner.
