The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) typically comes at a much higher cost compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, but it offers better performance, especially for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro chip. It also boasts a superior display with a higher resolution and color accuracy, making it suitable for work that requires precise visuals. However, the MacBook Pro is slightly heavier and has fewer traditional USB ports, relying instead on Thunderbolt ports for connectivity. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is lighter, making it more portable, and offers more traditional connectivity options at a much lower price point, but with less performance capabilities and lower screen quality. If you require higher performance and better display quality for professional creative tasks and can manage a heavier device with a higher price, the MacBook Pro is a strong choice. If you need a more portable and budget-friendly option for general use that still offers decent performance, consider the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i.
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.7/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) offers superior CPU and GPU performance, a high-quality Mini LED screen with better color coverage, and longer battery life, making it highly suitable for demanding general use. In comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, while offering good performance for general use with similar RAM and a quality IPS screen, emphasizes a lighter build for better portability and better heat management at the expense of lower screen resolution and color accuracy.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.2/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its M1 Pro GPU and a high screen refresh rate, offers robust performance for 3D applications; however, its macOS may limit game compatibility. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a fair Intel Iris Xe GPU and a standard refresh rate which is adequate for some gaming and 3D tasks, yet not as optimized for high-end performance as the MacBook Pro.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design due to its powerful Apple M1 Pro processor, higher screen resolution and color accuracy with its Mini LED display, which greatly enhances visual work, and a more robust GPU for handling demanding graphical tasks. In comparison, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i offers a capable Intel i7 processor and Iris Xe graphics, its screen offers lower resolution and color fidelity, and it may not perform as well with intensive tasks, but it compensates with a slight edge in portability and a quieter operation.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good.
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
8.3/10
7.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good.
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
9.2/10
6.9/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 14's screen boasts superior resolution and brightness, enhancing everyday viewing experiences, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i offers respectable clarity and luminosity at a potentially lower cost. Engineering and design professionals favor the MacBook Pro for its wide color gamut, providing accurate color representation vital for detailed work, which the IdeaPad Slim 7i supports adequately but may not match in range. When it comes to 3D applications, the MacBook Pro falls short due to its lower refresh rate, whereas the IdeaPad, despite good resolution and panel type, also doesn’t provide the high refresh rate preferred for smooth, responsive 3D visuals.
Battery
13.5 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$899
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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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