HP or Apple: which laptop is better?
The two brands side by side with the Nov 10, 2026 check.
In November 2026, Apple has the edge in laptops: average rating 8.6 against 5.2 from HP, with a median price of $1,799 against $514. Each one’s best models today: HP 15 15.6″ Ryzen 7 7730U ($629) and Apple MacBook Air 15″ Apple M5 ($1,299).
See side by sideHP
0 categories won
6.1 median rating
17 models, from $250 to $888
Apple
4 categories won
8.6 median rating
7 models, from $1,099 to $2,750
Apple wins in 4 of 4 categories.
Performance
Apple wins
The best from Apple in performance
Apple MacBook Pro 16.2″ Apple M5 Pro
Performance 10.0 score 9.1
$2,750
Memory and storage
Apple winsThe best from HP in memory and storage
HP 15 15.6″ Core i5-1135G7
Memory and storage 7.3 score 4.9
$560
The best from Apple in memory and storage
Apple MacBook Pro 16.2″ Apple M5 ProMemory and storage 8.8 score 9.1
$2,750
Screen
Apple wins
Ports and how current it is
Apple winsThe best from HP in ports and how current it is
HP Stream 14″ Intel N150
Ports and how current it is 5.0 score 2.4
$299
The best from Apple in ports and how current it is
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2″ Apple M5Ports and how current it is 7.5 score 8.9
$1,799
HP and Apple side by side
| Item | HP | Apple |
|---|---|---|
| Models in today’s catalog | 17 | 7 |
| Average rating | 5.2 | 8.6 |
| Median price | $514 | $1,799 |
| Below the normal price today | 0 | 0 |
| Where it stands out most | from $600 to $1,000 | from $1,000 to $1,600 |
| Best model | HP 15 15.6″ Ryzen 7 7730U, $629 | Apple MacBook Air 15″ Apple M5, $1,299 |
| Cheapest | HP Chromebook 14″ Celeron, $221 | Apple MacBook Pro 13.3″ Core i5, $299 |
In which price range each one wins
| Price range | HP | Apple | Who wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to $400 | 6 | 1 | too few models to compare |
| from $400 to $600 | 5 | 0 | only HP has a model |
| from $600 to $1,000 | 5 | 0 | only HP has a model |
| from $1,000 to $1,600 | 1 | 2 | too few models to compare |
| over $1,600 | 0 | 4 | only Apple has a model |
Who each one is for
Choose HP to pay less (median price of $514 against $1,799); have more options (17 against 7); buy from $600 to $1,000; look at from $400 to $600, where only it has a model. Best model: HP 15 15.6″ Ryzen 7 7730U, at $629.
Choose Apple to have the highest average rating (8.6 against 5.2); buy from $1,000 to $1,600; look at over $1,600, where only it has a model. Best model: Apple MacBook Air 15″ Apple M5, at $1,299.
Other brand comparisons
Next step
See all Apple laptops
Price and rating of each of the brand’s models, from today’s check.
Frequently asked questions
HP or Apple: which laptop is better?
In November 2026, Apple has the edge in laptops: average rating 8.6 against 5.2 from HP, with a median price of $1,799 against $514. Each one’s best models today: HP 15 15.6″ Ryzen 7 7730U ($629) and Apple MacBook Air 15″ Apple M5 ($1,299).
Which is cheaper, HP or Apple?
By median price, HP: $514 against $1,799. Its cheapest model today is HP Chromebook 14″ Celeron, at $221.
Which has more models, HP or Apple?
HP has 17 models and Apple has 7 models in the Nov 10, 2026 check.
Read next
Where the numbers come from
Brands with 3 or more models with a price and a rating in the day’s check are included. Average rating and median price use all of the brand’s models. The order compares each model’s rating with the median rating of models in the same price range and averages it by brand. The top pick is the brand’s model that beats that rating by the most in its range.
Prices change without notice and the final amount is the one in the store. The rating comes from each model’s spec sheet; the brand does not count.
Data from Nov 10, 2026.