Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max vs MSI Raider 18" A2XWJG-438CA
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max 2024, 64GB, 4TB SSD, Silver
Apple
99 Overall Score
vs
MSI Raider 18" A2XWJG-438CA 2025, Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB, 4TB SSD + 2TB SSD, RTX 5090, Core Black
MSI
62 Overall Score
Choose Apple MacBook Pro if...
Buy the MacBook Pro M4 Max if you're a student, business user, or developer who needs a light, bright, all-day machine that handles heavy photo and video work without breaking a sweat.
Choose MSI Raider 18" if...
Buy the MSI Raider if you're a gamer or creator who wants desktop-class performance with an RTX 5090 and a gorgeous Mini-LED display, and you don't plan on lugging it around much.
Key Differences
- Raw performance is no contest: the MSI's Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX scores 57,249 in multi-core benchmarks vs the MacBook's 43,903, and its RTX 5090 scores 28,246 vs the M4 Max's 17,798.
- Portability is a massive gap: the MacBook weighs 1.6kg while the MSI tips the scales at 3.6kg, and owners specifically complain the Raider is too bulky for travel.
- Display trade-off: the MacBook hits 1,600 nits of brightness vs the MSI's 1,000, but the MSI has a higher 3840px resolution and a Mini-LED panel buyers rave about for gaming and creative work.
- The MacBook has a 5.0/5 rating from 33 reviews with zero significant complaints, while the MSI sits at 3.0/5 from just 2 reviews, with owners praising performance but griping about the size and weight.
- Connectivity is a mixed bag: the MacBook has 3 USB-C ports vs the MSI's 2, but the MSI gets Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 vs the MacBook's Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
What Buyers Say
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max 2024, 64GB, 4TB SSD, Silver
95 out of 100 low confidence 8 reviews
The MacBook Pro M4 Max is widely praised as a powerful workhorse, handling heavy photo and video editing tasks with ease. Users highlight its smooth performance, fast file processing, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Verified buyers consistently note excellent value, especially when opting for the Pro over the Max model, and commend B&H's customer service and shipping process.
Pros
- Powerful performance for heavy tasks
- Smooth handling of photo and video editing
- Fast file import and export
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- No significant drawbacks mentioned
Performance 5
Photo video editing 3
Apple ecosystem 2
Value for money 2
Customer service 3
Shipping process 2
MSI Raider 18" A2XWJG-438CA 2025, Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB, 4TB SSD + 2TB SSD, RTX 5090, Core Black
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Entertainment
Developer
Business
Compact
Student
Ai Llm
Creator
Gaming
Specifications
| Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max | MSI Raider 18" A2XWJG-438CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| CPU* | Apple M4 Max | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX★ |
| CPU Multi-Core Score | ||
| Cores | 16 | 24★ |
| Frequency | — | 2.5 GHz★ |
| L3 Cache | — | 36 MB★ |
| Graphics | ||
| GPU* | Apple (40-Core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090★ |
| GPU Benchmark Score | ||
| Type | integrated★ | discrete |
| VRAM | — | 24 GB★ |
| VRAM Type | System Shared | GDDR7 |
| Memory & Storage | ||
| RAM | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Generation | LPDDR5 | DDR5 |
| Storage 1 | 4 TB | 4 TB |
| Storage 1 Type | NVMe SSD | NVMe SSD |
| Storage 2 | — | 2 TB★ |
| Storage 2 Type | — | NVMe SSD★ |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2" | 18" |
| Resolution | 3024 px | 3840 px★ |
| Panel | Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1600 nits★ | 1000 nits |
| Color Gamut | 100% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3 | 100% DCI-P3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB-C Ports | 3★ | 2 |
| USB Ports | — | 3★ |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 5 |
| HDMI | 1x HDMI Output | HDMI 2.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7★ |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.4★ |
| Ethernet | — | GB LAN (Up to 2.5G) |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg★ | 3.60 kg |
| Battery | 72 Wh | 100 Wh★ |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 Pro |
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max 2024, 64GB, 4TB SSD, Silver
- Strong screen (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong storage (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong reliability (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Below average affordability (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
MSI Raider 18" A2XWJG-438CA 2025, Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB, 4TB SSD + 2TB SSD, RTX 5090, Core Black
- Strong screen (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong storage (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong cpu (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong ram (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Below average portability (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average affordability (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)3rd %ile
Verdict
Winner: Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max
Scores 99 overall, wins 6 of 8 usage categories and 4 of 32 specs.