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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) offers a larger display, higher screen resolution, a more powerful graphics card, better build quality, and a higher-quality touchpad. It is suitable for demanding tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering, but it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" includes a newer processor with integrated graphics, which provides adequate performance for general use and lighter engineering tasks, and it offers better battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use. The Lenovo also has proven to be slightly more reliable, but it generally has lower performance than the MacBook Pro. Choose the MacBook Pro if performance for intensive tasks is a priority and you don't mind carrying a heavier laptop with a shorter battery life. Opt for the Lenovo IdeaPad if portability, better battery life, and a balance between performance and price are your main concerns. 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 16 (Late 2019)
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15"
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019).
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.5
6.7
4.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is better suited for engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful CPU, advanced GPU, higher RAM, and superior screen quality, which are critical for such demanding work; on the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a less potent integrated graphics card and less RAM, making it less ideal for high-end tasks despite its higher portability and good keyboard quality. While the Lenovo is lighter and may have some attractive features, it does not match the MacBook Pro's performance capabilities, which are vital for engineering and design applications.
Content Creation
8.0
7.3
4.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" 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
7.9
7.3
4.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" are both good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is somewhat better.
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
7.8
6.5
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
477.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
341.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the Apple MacBook Pro 16's high-resolution display and bright panel offers a visually appealing experience, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" provides adequate quality for everyday tasks but doesn't stand out. For engineering and design, the MacBook's wider color gamuts ensure more precise color representation critical for detailed work, while the IdeaPad's color support is serviceable but less accurate for professional color work. If 3D applications are a priority, the MacBook Pro is less suited due to its standard refresh rate, whereas the IdeaPad, while also not specialized for 3D with its fair screen quality and refresh rate, may be slightly more limiting for immersive and responsive 3D experiences.
Build Quality
10.0
7.6
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$529
$690
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) has a price of $529 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" costs $690.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
7.4
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
477.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
341.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) is well-suited for general use thanks to its high-quality screen, strong CPU, ample RAM, and large battery capacity, but it is heavier and has a larger form factor affecting portability. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" also offers good general use capabilities with a capable CPU and RAM, a touch-enabled IPS screen for convenience, and a lighter design for better portability, but with a lower resolution and smaller battery compared to the MacBook Pro.
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.2
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" 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.
Battery
12.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 12 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has 11 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
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) and the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$529 | $690 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | August 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.7'' x 0.64'' | 14'' x 9.2'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.3 lbs | 4.08 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.09" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.68" | 9.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-9750H | AMD Ryzen 7 5825U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 100 Wh | 57 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3072 x 1920 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 477 nits | 341 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720P | 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 | 4 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019)
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NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15"
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marcus Schwarten | August 2021
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 is convincing due to its long battery life. The device scores points especially with its large battery and long battery runtimes combined with its low consumption. The CPU and GPU perform in the test as one would expect, and in line with what was familiar from the somewhat smaller 14-inch sister model, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2019) or the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15"
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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