Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max Space Black 2024
HP OMEN Transcend 14" 14-fb1023dx Shadow Black 2025
Buy the MacBook Pro M4 Max if you're a developer, video editor, or AI tinkerer who lives in the Apple ecosystem and wants the best CPU performance, battery life, and screen brightness money can buy in a laptop.
Buy the HP OMEN Transcend 14 if you're a gamer or a creator who needs Windows and a discrete GPU, especially if you can snag an open-box deal. The RTX 5070 and 3K OLED are the stars here.
Key Differences
- GPU power is a blowout in the OMEN's favor: its RTX 5070 scores 28,703 in benchmarks versus 17,798 for the M4 Max's 40-core GPU. That's a 1.6x gap, and it's why the OMEN scores 95 for gaming while the MacBook manages just 59.
- CPU and AI are a different story. The M4 Max's multi-core score of 43,903 beats the Core Ultra 9 285H's 34,200 by 1.3x, and the MacBook's AI/LLM score of 86 absolutely buries the OMEN's 54. If you're running local models or heavy compiles, the MacBook is the obvious choice.
- The displays are a genuine trade-off. The OMEN has a 3K OLED panel with perfect blacks and vibrant colors, but it tops out at 500 nits. The MacBook's Mini-LED hits 1600 nits, which is a massive difference if you work near windows or outdoors.
- RAM and storage are not upgradeable on the OMEN. It's soldered at 32GB, and users consistently call this out as a limitation. The MacBook comes with 64GB, which is a big deal for video editors and developers who multitask heavily.
- Price is the wildcard. The OMEN's 4.6-star rating from 287 reviews often highlights open-box value as a major plus, while the MacBook's 5.0 stars from just 33 reviews mention 'great value' but at a much higher entry price. You'll pay a premium for that Apple silicon.
What Buyers Say
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max Space Black 2024
The MacBook Pro M4 Max is widely praised for its exceptional performance, handling heavy photo and video editing tasks with ease. Users highlight its smooth integration with the Apple ecosystem and fast processing of large files. The laptop is considered a great value, with one reviewer noting that the Pro model offers similar power to the Max at a lower price. Customer service and shipping from B&H are also commended.
Pros
- Exceptional performance for photo/video editing
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Fast processing of large files
- Great value for the price
- Excellent customer service from B&H
Cons
- No negative aspects mentioned
HP OMEN Transcend 14" 14-fb1023dx Shadow Black 2025
This HP laptop impresses with its powerful 16-core Intel chip, 32GB of RAM, and stunning 3K OLED display, delivering top-tier performance for both gaming and productivity. Users praise its premium build, excellent cooling, and long battery life in eco mode, though the soldered RAM and lower-wattage RTX 5070 GPU are noted limitations. The open-box value is frequently highlighted as a major plus.
Pros
- Powerful 16-core Intel processor
- Stunning 3K OLED display
- Premium all-metal build
- Excellent cooling system
- Long battery life in eco mode
Cons
- Soldered RAM (no upgrade possible)
- Underpowered RTX 5070 GPU (75W max)
- Short battery life in normal mode
- Only two USB-A ports on right side
- Premium price without discount
Scores
Specifications
| Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max | HP OMEN Transcend 14" 14-fb1023dx | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| CPU* | Apple M4 Max★ | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H |
| CPU Multi-Core Score | ||
| Cores | 16 | 16 |
| Frequency | — | 2.9 GHz★ |
| L3 Cache | — | 24 MB★ |
| Graphics | ||
| GPU* | Apple (40-Core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070★ |
| GPU Benchmark Score | ||
| Type | integrated★ | discrete |
| VRAM | — | 8 GB★ |
| VRAM Type | System Shared | GDDR7 |
| Memory & Storage | ||
| RAM | 64 GB★ | 32 GB |
| RAM Generation | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5X |
| Storage 1 | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage 1 Type | NVMe SSD★ | SSD |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2" | 14" |
| Resolution | 3024 px★ | 2880 px |
| Panel | Mini-LED | OLED★ |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1600 nits★ | 500 nits |
| Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | DCI-P3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB-C Ports | 3★ | 2 |
| USB Ports | 0 | 2★ |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 4 |
| HDMI | 1x HDMI Output | HDMI 2.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ethernet | — | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg★ | 1.63 kg |
| Battery | 72 Wh★ | 71 Wh |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max Space Black 2024
- Strong screen (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong reliability (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong ram (96th percentile)96th %ile
HP OMEN Transcend 14" 14-fb1023dx Shadow Black 2025
- Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong screen (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong gpu (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong ram (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Below average reliability (33rd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 6 of 8 usage categories and 10 of 30 specs.