When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 16 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, consider that the MacBook Pro generally offers higher performance, a better screen, and a more robust build quality, which is ideal for demanding tasks like video editing and professional design work. However, it comes at a higher price and has less flexibility for upgrades and repairs. The ThinkPad T14, while not as powerful, offers good performance for general usage, business applications, and is known for its durability and keyboard comfort; plus, it typically provides better value for money and more ports for connectivity. If portability and battery life are critical, the MacBook Pro is sleeker and might have a longer battery life, but the ThinkPad is more rugged and user-serviceable. Choose the MacBook Pro if your work demands the highest specs and you prefer macOS, or go with the ThinkPad for a cost-effective, versatile Windows laptop that balances performance and 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 16 (2023)
Excellent for general use
Good for gaming and AI
Excellent for content creation
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
General Use
9.1/10
8.5/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023), with its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and superior screen quality, excels in performance and display, making it ideal for demanding applications and media consumption, but it is less portable due to its size and has a high price point. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers good performance with quality CPU and sufficient RAM, better portability for on-the-go use, and generally longer battery life, making it a practical choice for everyday tasks while being more budget-friendly.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.7/10
5.8/10
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
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 boasts a more powerful GPU suited for demanding 3D tasks and offers a high-quality display that benefits creative work, but its macOS can limit gaming options as many popular titles aren't compatible. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, while capable of moderate gaming and 3D work due to a decent CPU and GPU, may not deliver as immersive a gaming experience due to a lower screen refresh rate and less vibrant screen.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
8.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 tends to offer high-performance CPU and GPU options, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen which are crucial for demanding engineering software and design workflows, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 provides respectable computing power and screen quality but not to the same extent. However, the ThinkPad T14 often scores high on portability and has a renowned keyboard, making it a practical choice for users who prioritize comfort and mobility alongside sufficient performance.
Content Creation
9.1/10
8.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very 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
8.9/10
8.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 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 (2023) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) 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
9.3/10
6.9/10
16.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 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 boasts a high-resolution, bright Retina display, offering vivid colors and sharp details, suited for general use and engineering, where color accuracy is crucial. While ideal for static images and video, the MacBook's typical refresh rate is less suitable for 3D applications that benefit from higher refresh rates for smoother motion. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, with its good display quality and color reproduction, addresses general and engineering needs adequately, but similar to the MacBook, its standard refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming and 3D work where fluid visuals are key.
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 (2023) 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 (2023) 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
$2,423
$1,241
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has a price of $2,423 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
"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 (2023) 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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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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