Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) vs HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026): Which Laptop Should You Buy?
Quick Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) scores 9.0 versus 8.0 for the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026), making it the stronger all-rounder. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) is the cheaper option at $2,399. Choose based on the use cases below: the MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) leads overall, while the OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Key Differences
- Faster overall: Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) (Geekbench multi 22,600 vs 16,800).
- Longer battery: Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) (16.8h vs 8.4h web).
- Lighter: Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) (1.6 kg vs 1.63 kg).
- Display: Mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR) (Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)) vs OLED (HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026)).
- Cheaper: HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) (saves about $350 CAD).
MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) vs OMEN Transcend 14 (2026): Full Breakdown
Performance: the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the stronger performer, posting a multi-core Geekbench score of 22,600 against 16,800 for the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) — roughly 35% faster in CPU-heavy work like exports and compiling. In our 1080p gaming suite, the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) averaged 112 FPS versus 52 FPS. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) is the better pick if you game or edit video.
Battery and portability: the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) lasts longer away from a charger, running 16.8 hours in our web-browsing test versus 8.4 hours. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is also easier to carry at 1.6 kg versus 1.63 kg, which matters if you commute or travel.
Display: the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) uses a 14.2-inch Mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR) panel (3024 x 1964, 120Hz), while the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) has a 14-inch OLED panel (2880 x 1800, 120Hz). The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) measured brighter at 1020 nits, and covered 99% of DCI-P3 — relevant for outdoor use and colour work.
Price and value: the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) is the cheaper option in Canada, about $350 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro). Weighed against our test scores (9.0 vs 8.0 overall), the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) offers the better value for the money, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the stronger laptop outright if budget is not the deciding factor.
For the complete testing data, read our full Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) review and HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) review.
Where these laptops rank
Both the MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) and the OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) feature in these BestLaptop.ca rankings:
Winner by Use Case
Specs & Scores Comparison
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 9.0 ✓ | 8.0 |
| Price (CAD) | $2,749 | $2,399 ✓ |
| CPU | Apple M4 Pro (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H |
| GPU | Apple M4 Pro GPU (16-core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (90W) |
| RAM | 24GB Unified LPDDR5x | 32GB LPDDR5x ✓ |
| Storage | 512GB | 1000GB ✓ |
| Display | 14.2" Mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR) | 14" OLED |
| Brightness | 1020 nits ✓ | 398 nits |
| Battery (web) | 16.8 h ✓ | 8.4 h |
| Weight | 1.6 kg ✓ | 1.63 kg |
| Geekbench multi | 22,600 ✓ | 16,800 |
| Gaming (1080p) | 52 fps | 112 fps ✓ |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (AppleCare+ available) | 1-year limited |
Which Should You Buy?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) scores 9.0 versus 8.0 for the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026), making it the stronger all-rounder. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) is the cheaper option at $2,399. Choose based on the use cases below: the MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) leads overall, while the OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) or the OMEN Transcend 14 (2026)?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) scores 9.0 versus 8.0 for the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026), making it the stronger all-rounder. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) is the cheaper option at $2,399. Choose based on the use cases below: the MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) leads overall, while the OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Which is better for school?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the better choice for school.
Which is better for business?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the better choice for business.
Which is better for gaming?
The HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2026) is the better choice for gaming.
Which is better for multimedia?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the better choice for multimedia.
Which is better for programming?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the better choice for programming.
Which is better for travel?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the better choice for travel.
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