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Updated January 10, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
If you need high storage and multitasking capabilities, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 with its larger storage and more RAM is a good option, but it’s heavier and might not be as portable as the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro offers better battery life and is lighter, making it more suitable for travel, but it has less storage and RAM than the ThinkPad. The ThinkPad's OLED display is excellent for vivid colors and deep contrasts whereas the MacBook's Mini LED is also high-quality but offers a faster refresh rate for smoother visuals, which can be important for certain engineering applications, video editing, or gaming. Both laptops can handle general use, 3D work, and engineering tasks, but the MacBook may excel in power efficiency and the ThinkPad in more demanding graphical performance. The MacBook has an Apple M3 processor that works seamlessly with its operating system for a smooth experience, while the ThinkPad’s AMD processor offers strong performance, especially in Windows environments. 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)
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16
- The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023).
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.2
8.5
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
393.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 for general use, AI, and engineering and design.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the MacBook Pro 14's high-resolution display, superior panel technology, and exceptional brightness deliver a clear and vibrant viewing experience. For engineering and design, the MacBook Pro excels with its wide color gamut, ensuring accurate color reproduction critical for detailed work, whereas the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 also offers robust color performance albeit slightly behind that of the MacBook. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both the MacBook Pro and ThinkPad Z16 fall short due to lower refresh rates, which affects the fluidity and smoothness compared to laptops specifically designed for these purposes.
Battery
17.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 17 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has 7 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
Good
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,649
$1,120
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) has a price of $1,649 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 costs $1,120.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.6
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
393.0 nits
17.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for general use.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 offers exceptional screen quality with its larger and higher-resolution OLED display and superior RAM for better multitasking, all of which are significant for general use, although it is heavier and has a shorter battery life compared to the Apple MacBook Pro 14. The MacBook Pro 14, while smaller and offering longer battery life, making it more portable, has a Mini LED screen that doesn't quite match the ThinkPad's display and less RAM, which may limit performance during heavy multitasking.
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.7
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
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
8.1
8.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 with its Apple M3 processor and 10-core GPU is well-suited for engineering and design due to its high screen quality and resolution; however, its lower RAM compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 might limit performance in very demanding tasks. The ThinkPad Z16, meanwhile, boasts a higher RAM capacity, a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU paired with an AMD RX GPU, and an OLED touchscreen, offering a clear advantage for intensive engineering and design work, albeit with a slight compromise on portability and higher weight.
Content Creation
8.4
8.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 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
8.2
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 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 ThinkPad Z16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,649 | $1,120 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | 14'' x 9.4'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.4 lbs | 4.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.31" | 13.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.71" | 9.35" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 | AMD Ryzen 7 6850H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 69.6 Wh | 72 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.2" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 489 nits | 393 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
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 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023)
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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 ThinkPad Z16
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PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | September 2022
"Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z16 tries has some success in its effort to tweak the ThinkPad formula. The laptop is attractive, yet still tame, and material quality is on par with the best Windows competition. I also like the smooth, responsive haptic touchpad and the wide range of modern connectivity. Yet the Z16 doesn’t fix ThinkPad’s typical weakness: value. Starting around $1,550, and more typically near $1,700, the Z16 finds itself facing alternatives that have better performance or an improved display for the same price, or less."
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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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