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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a balance between performance and portability, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a sleek design and is typically more manageable for commuting or traveling, but its gaming capabilities are limited compared to specialized gaming laptops. The Lenovo Legion 9i, on the other hand, is designed for high-end gaming with powerful components suitable for the most demanding tasks, although it's bulkier and has a shorter battery life. For general use and professional tasks like video editing or programming, the MacBook Pro is an excellent choice with its efficient ecosystem and robust build quality. If your focus is primarily on gaming or you require the highest performance for 3D rendering or machine learning tasks, the Legion 9i stands out, but you'll sacrifice some portability and pay a higher price. 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 (Late 2023)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 9i
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Best in class overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.7
9.2
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its M3 GPU, is designed to handle 3D tasks effectively but offers a lower screen refresh rate, making it less optimal for fast-paced gaming. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion 9i features a superior Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU and a higher refresh rate screen, lending itself excellently to gaming and 3D work, plus it runs a wider range of popular games given its Windows operating system.
Engineering and Design
8.1
9.6
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion 9i is best in class for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) is very good.
The Lenovo Legion 9i outshines the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) in engineering and design use with its substantially more robust CPU and GPU, and a far greater amount of RAM, which are very crucial for intensive tasks. However, the MacBook Pro 14 offers a more portable design and higher screen quality, making it better tailored for users who prioritize mobility and superior display features but can work with less processing power and memory.
Screen Quality
9.2
9.7
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
682.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion 9i has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the Apple MacBook Pro 14's screen stands out with its high resolution and brightness, delivering a sharp and vivid display that enhances everyday tasks. In engineering and design, its wide color gamuts ensure accurate color representation which is essential for professionals in these fields. However, the Lenovo Legion 9i's screen, while also excellent for general use and color-accurate work, falls short for gaming and 3D applications due to a lower refresh rate which can make fast-moving images less smooth.
Battery
17.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 17 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion 9i has 3 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
Fair
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
5.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo Legion 9i has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo Legion 9i has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,499
$3,420
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has a price of $1,499 and the Lenovo Legion 9i costs $3,420.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.4
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
682.0 nits
17.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.3/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers excellent portability, long battery life, and a high-quality screen suitable for general use. Contrasting this, the Lenovo Legion 9i has a more powerful CPU and more RAM, which delivers better performance, but it is heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable but more suited for performance-intensive tasks.
Content Creation
8.4
8.7
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Lenovo Legion 9i and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for content creation.
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
8.2
8.3
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3200 x 2000
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo Legion 9i and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for software development.
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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) and the Lenovo Legion 9i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) | Lenovo Legion 9i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,499 | $3,420 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | 14.1'' x 10.9'' x 1.01'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.4 lbs | 5.64 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.31" | 14.08" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.71" | 10.93" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 69.6 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.2" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3200 x 2000 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 489 nits | 682 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"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."
Lenovo Legion 9i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | December 2023
"The Lenovo Legion 9i is meant as a top-end flagship showcase for enthusiasts, and on that, it delivers. You'll find flashier designs in this price tier—Razer’s all-metal build in a similarly sized laptop like the Blade 16, or monstrous 18-inch machines—but this is a well-thought-out laptop. The chassis is trim for a 16-inch powerhouse, the lid is unique, and bespoke liquid cooling takes performance to the next level."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) or the Lenovo Legion 9i
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.
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