When considering the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) versus the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, keep in mind the MacBook Pro offers more power for demanding tasks like video editing or 3D design, but at a higher cost and with a larger display for more screen real estate, which can be less portable. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is more affordable, highly durable and easier to carry around, suited for business professionals who need a reliable machine for everyday office work. Battery life is generally longer in the MacBook Pro, beneficial for those who are often on the go without access to power outlets. If your primary concerns are budget and mobility for standard tasks, the ThinkPad T14 is a sensible choice, but for high-end performance in creative or engineering fields, invest in the MacBook Pro despite its heftier price and size. 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 (2021)
Excellent for general use
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
Very good portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
8.0/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 provides superior CPU and GPU performance, coupled with a high-quality screen and more RAM, which is crucial for demanding engineering tasks and design work; however, it is less portable due to its size and weight. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers a balance with respectable performance, a good keyboard for long coding sessions, and is easier to carry around, but it may not handle highly intensive tasks as smoothly as the MacBook Pro.
Content Creation
8.8/10
8.3/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both very good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is somewhat better.
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
8.9/10
8.3/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) 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
9.4/10
6.9/10
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in screen quality for general use and engineering due to its high resolution and brightness, as well as its coverage of professional color gamuts, ensuring crisp details and accurate color representation for detailed design work. However, for 3D applications, the MacBook’s screen may fall short because of a standard refresh rate, which isn't ideal for the smooth rendering of fast-moving graphics. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14’s screen offers good quality for general use and engineering with sufficient resolution and brightness, and respectable color accuracy, but like the MacBook, lacks a high refresh rate necessary for the best experience in gaming and 3D environments.
Battery
17.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has 9 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
Very Good
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,949
$1,241
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,949 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be excellent for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in CPU performance, screen quality, and battery life, making it well-suited for demanding tasks and media consumption, albeit with a premium on price and less portability due to its size. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, while slightly less powerful, offers a balance of performance and portability, with a comfortable keyboard and efficient heat management, making it a cost-effective option for everyday use and business professionals on the go.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
6.7/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) to be good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is equipped with a powerful GPU that excels in handling 3D tasks smoothly, but it has a limited selection of games due to compatibility issues with many popular titles. Conversely, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, while capable of gaming with a fair GPU, may not provide the same level of performance or screen refresh rate as dedicated gaming laptops, which can limit the gaming and 3D experience.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 compare to other laptops
"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."
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) or the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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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