For demanding applications such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering software, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 with its Apple M1 Pro chip provides better performance but also comes with a higher price. Its Mini LED display also offers great color reproduction and brightness, beneficial for design work, though it is not a touchscreen and isn't as portable as the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, while more affordable and portable, with a touchscreen IPS display, may not match the MacBook Pro's performance in intensive tasks but is still suitable for general use and capable of handling a variety of everyday computing needs. If you require a machine with high performance for specialized tasks and a superior display at a higher cost, opt for the MacBook Pro. However, if you prioritize portability, touch capability, and a lower price while still getting adequate performance for general tasks, the ThinkPad Z13 would be a more fitting choice. 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 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 ThinkPad Z13
Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in general use thanks to its superior screen quality, excellent keyboard and speaker quality, and longer battery life, complemented by a high-performing CPU and good heat management, though it is less portable and heavier than some alternatives. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, while offering good performance for general use with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM, is more portable due to its lower weight and smaller size, has a touchscreen, and better portability; however, it has a shorter battery life and its screen, speaker, and keyboard quality, while excellent, don't match the MacBook's highest ratings.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.3/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design due to its powerful M1 Pro chip with an 8-core CPU and 14-core GPU, ample RAM, and high-quality Mini LED screen, which is superior in brightness and color accuracy. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 features a strong AMD Ryzen 7 processor with integrated Radeon graphics, sufficient RAM, and a good IPS touch display, but its lower screen brightness and color coverage make it slightly less optimal for tasks requiring precise color work, although it is lighter and slightly more portable.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.8/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 ThinkPad Z13 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
7.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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
7.0/10
14.2in
SIZE
13.3in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14's screen excels in general use and engineering/design due to its high resolution, brightness, and wide color gamut, offering clear, sharp images and accurate colors essential for detailed work. However, its refresh rate is not ideally suited for 3D applications, where a higher refresh rate is key for smooth rendering of rapid movements and animations. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 offers a quality screen for general use and engineering with good resolution and color representation but falls short in gaming and 3D scenarios, where, like the MacBook, its refresh rate doesn't match the higher standards required for optimal performance.
Battery
13.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has 10 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
Excellent
14.2in
SIZE
13.3in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$1,000
$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 ThinkPad Z13 costs $1,000.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14's superior GPU makes it well-suited for 3D applications; however, its screen refresh rate isn't optimized for gaming, and many popular games are incompatible with macOS. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 offers a fair GPU for gaming and 3D work, and its compatibility with a broader range of games compensates for its somewhat less impressive screen refresh rate and quality compared to the MacBook.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 compare to other laptops
"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."
"In the premium ultraportable space, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 competes with the best of the best, and still manages to shine. The design is an impressive departure from the bland bare-metal laptop that's become so popular in recent years, and the AMD-powered system has performance that's just as impressive. It's a stark alternative to the Intel-based majority, and it stands up well enough to the impressive Apple M2 processor."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
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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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Laptops Expert
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