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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 hinges on your budget, performance needs, and use scenarios. If your budget allows and you prioritize a more vibrant display, longer battery life, and better integration with other Apple devices, the MacBook Pro might suit you. It's also notably lighter, adding to its portability. However, if cost is a concern and you require a laptop that offers more variety in ports, better upgradeability, and runs Windows operating system which is often preferred for enterprise environments, the ThinkPad P16 is a substantial option. Keep in mind, though, that it's heavier, which might affect its portability. 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 2023)
- Good for gaming and AI
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
- The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023).
Key differences
General Use
8.8
8.0
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is valued for general use due to its balance of a high-quality Mini LED screen, impressive battery life, and portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, although it offers a powerful Intel processor and Nvidia GPU suitable for more demanding tasks, is heavier and has a lower battery life, making it less portable but more suitable for performance-intensive use cases. Both laptops have excellent screen resolution and color accuracy, sufficient storage and RAM for day-to-day tasks, but the MacBook excels in ease of carrying and longer unplugged use.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.9
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) boasts a high-refresh-rate display and a powerful integrated GPU suitable for 3D tasks, offering a smooth visual experience. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 includes a dedicated Nvidia GPU better suited for the high demands of gaming and 3D applications, but has a standard refresh rate display; however, many popular games may not be compatible with the MacBook's operating system.
Engineering and Design
8.9
8.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 boasts an M3 Pro processor with more GPU cores, a high-resolution Mini LED display, and longer battery life, making it excellent for design tasks requiring color accuracy and graphics performance. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 features an Intel i7 processor with an Nvidia RTX GPU and more ports for peripherals, preferred by engineers needing ample connectivity and dedicated graphics power for computation-intensive applications.
Content Creation
8.9
8.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) 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
8.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 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
8.2
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 excels in screen quality for both general use and engineering/design due to its high-resolution display that presents sharp images, coupled with outstanding color accuracy and wide color gamuts, which are essential for precision work in professional design environments. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 matches closely in screen quality for general use and engineering, owing to a similar commitment to high resolution and color performance, making it a strong contender for professionals. However, for 3D applications that heavily rely on a fast refresh rate, neither laptop is ideal as they prioritize resolution and color precision over the higher refresh rates preferred in 3D rendering and gaming scenarios.
Battery
17.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has 10 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
Poor
16.2in
SIZE
16.0in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,499
$1,449
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has a price of $2,499 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 costs $1,449.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,499 | $1,449 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 14.3'' x 10.5'' x 1.2'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 6.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 14.3" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 10.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (12C) | Intel i7-12800HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 18 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 94 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 569 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
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 ThinkPad P16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | February 2023
"It's only a few months since we gave the MSI CreatorPro X17 one of our rare 4.5-star ratings and our top mobile workstation honor, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 matches that achievement in a more premium overall build. Ultimately, its build quality, screen, and keyboard give our latest Editors' Choice nod to the Lenovo—it's enough of a monster on almost all fronts that it simply cannot be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) or the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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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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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