When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14", consider their different strengths. The MacBook Pro offers a higher resolution screen, stronger performance capabilities, and longer battery life, which makes it suitable for more demanding tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and software development. It also has a silent, fanless design and supports specialized software that's native to macOS. On the other hand, the IdeaPad is more affordable and may suffice for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. However, its performance is more modest, and it has a lower resolution display, which may not be ideal for visual-intensive tasks. Make your decision based on the intensity of your computing needs and your budget. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020).
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
6.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
239.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 with its high-performance M1 chip, more memory, and a higher quality screen, offers strong CPU performance, better multitasking, and an overall smoother experience for general use, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad 1, with a basic Intel Celeron processor, less RAM, and a lower quality screen, provides weaker performance which may not be as suitable for multiple or demanding applications. Additionally, the MacBook Pro's longer battery life and high portability make it more convenient for users on the go, compared to the IdeaPad 1 which has a shorter battery life and is less ideal for prolonged mobile usage.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
5.5/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
5.5/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) excels in engineering and design due to its powerful Apple M1 CPU and GPU, ample RAM, and high-quality IPS screen with superior resolution and color accuracy, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" falls short with its less capable Intel Celeron processor, limited RAM, and lower-quality TN display.
Content Creation
7.8/10
6.2/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.8/10
6.4/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
5.3/10
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
239.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13's screen boasts higher resolution and brightness, ideal for everyday tasks, and offers wide color gamuts, meeting the precision required for engineering and design work. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a lower quality display, making it less suitable for tasks where fine details and color accuracy are key. However, for 3D applications which benefit from high refresh rates, the MacBook Pro's display falls short, as it prioritizes resolution and color quality over the smoother visuals provided by higher refresh rates.
Battery
20.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$165
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" costs $165.
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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