Head-To-Head: HP EliteBook x360 Vs. Apple MacBook Pro

Premium Laptop Face-Off

If there was a time when Apple could claim a monopoly over flawless integration between laptop hardware and software, that time has apparently passed. HP's new EliteBook x360 is one notebook from the Windows universe where just about everything works like a gem, even though HP isn't the creator of the underlying operating system, as Apple is for its computers. During a recent tryout in the CRN Test Center, we found the EliteBook x360 touchpad to be especially impressive, on par with Apple's much-revered MacBook trackpads. But how does the laptop compare overall to its closest counterpart in the Mac realm? In the following slides, we compare the HP EliteBook x360 vs. the Apple MacBook Pro on specs, features and price.

First Things First

It's worth mentioning upfront that the latest MacBook Pro, introduced this past fall, actually comes in three models. And two of the versions include Apple's Touch Bar feature. The three models are a 15-inch version with the Touch Bar; a 13-inch Touch Bar model; and a 13-inch version without the Touch Bar.

For this comparison, however, we'll just be comparing the higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pro model (with Touch Bar), since that is the closest counterpart to the HP EliteBook x360.

Display

The first major difference on the display is that while HP has opted to go with a touch screen for its newest EliteBook -- as well as 360-degree foldability -- Apple hasn't done either with the fall 2016 update to the MacBook Pro.

As mentioned, the MacBook Pro we're looking at in this slideshow is the 13-inch model with Touch Bar, which features a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 for its Retina display. The EliteBook x360, which features a 13.3-inch BrightView display, is not as high-res at 1,920 x 1,080.

Processor

One area where EliteBook x360 has a leg-up is around the processor. The notebook uses Intel's latest top-of-the-line processors, the seventh-generation Core i (aka Kaby Lake). By comparison, Apple's latest MacBook Pro includes the previous generation of processors (Skylake).

Specifically, the EliteBook x360 has a few different configurations for the processor, with several choices for Core i5 or i7 chips. The top level is for a Core i7 chip with a clock speed of up to 3.9GHz. The MacBook Pro comes with a Core i5 processor (clock speed of up to 3.3GHz) as the standard, though the laptop is configurable up to a Core i7 chip (clocked at up to 3.6GHz).

Battery Life

Even though the EliteBook x360 includes a touchscreen display – a notorious battery drainer – the notebook promises a significant advantage around battery life over the MacBook Pro. HP pledges that the EliteBook x360 can get up to 16 hours and 30 minutes of battery life on a charge (our tryout verified that the laptop boasts strong battery life, meanwhile). Apple has more modest promises for the MacBook Pro, which the company says can offer up to 10 hours of usage per charge.

Weight & Thickness

In overhauling the MacBook Pro, Apple paid special attention to giving the laptop an upgrade in portability. The outcome is that the MacBook Pro measures 0.59 of an inch thick, and weighs 3.02 pounds. While that's a lot more portable than previous iterations of the MacBook Pro, it's not enough to out-do HP's latest premium laptop offering. The EliteBook x360 is a bit lighter, at 2.82 pounds, and is identical in terms of thickness, at 0.59 of an inch.

Memory & Storage

For the EliteBook x360, HP offers more options around RAM and storage than Apple does for the MacBook Pro. The big one is that the EliteBook x360 comes in 8GB RAM or 16GB RAM models, while the MacBook Pro only has an 8GB RAM option.

The EliteBook x360 also has more choices on storage. Those break down into two options for SATA solid-state storage (128GB or 256GB) and three options for PCIe solid-state storage (256GB, 360GB or 512GB). The MacBook Pro goes with PCIe-based SSD only, and has 256GB and 512GB options.

Ports

Infamously, the latest MacBook Pro only comes with one type of port -- USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. The model in our comparison comes with four USB-C ports, and other types of connectors will require a dongle.

HP did not follow Apple's example with the EliteBook x360 and included a range of ports in the laptop: two USB-A, one USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, microSD and a smart card reader.

Other Features

Apple's unique feature with the MacBook Pro is the Touch Bar, a touch-sensitive strip located in place of the function row of keys on the keyboard. The Touch Bar provides controls that adapt to whatever app is being used – such as volume or song changing in iTunes, or editing tools in Final Cut Pro X.

Seeing as the EliteBook x360 has a display that is entirely touch-sensitive, the laptop differs from the MacBook Pro by working with a digital pen. On security, the laptop includes HP's self-healing Sure Start technology and Windows Hello facial recognition, among other features (the laptop is also soon to get the Sure View integrated PC privacy screen). For easier workplace collaboration, the EliteBook x360 offers dedicated keys for launching Skype for Business, muting your microphone, sharing your screen and answering a call.

Price

As we mentioned, and as should be obvious from the specs we've shared, these are both premium laptops. So, you won't find a low-cost option for either one. The HP EliteBook x360 has the lower starting price, however, at $1,269 for a model with Core i5, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SATA storage. The starting price for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (with Touch Bar) is $1,799, which features Core i5, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of PCIe storage.

For versions of each laptop with Core i7 and 512GB of storage, the EliteBook x360 starts at $1,869 and the MacBook Pro starts at $2,299.