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Updated March 14, 2024·
If you're looking for a high-performance laptop for demanding software or multimedia projects, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 could be a great choice, offering robust capabilities at a higher cost. However, if portability and value are priorities and your tasks are more everyday office work or internet browsing, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x provides a lightweight and cost-effective alternative, albeit with less power and a smaller screen. Consider whether your workload justifies the MacBook's expense or if the ThinkBook's conveniences align better with your needs. 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)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- 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 ThinkBook 13x
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.8
7.9
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16, with its powerful CPU and ample RAM, delivers smooth performance and exceptional screen quality for demanding applications, but it is heavier and typically pricier, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offers good CPU performance and portability at a more budget-friendly price, though it may not match the MacBook Pro in terms of screen size and battery life. Both laptops have solid storage options, comfortable keyboards, and quality speakers, with efficient heat management and low operating noise, but if extensive screen real estate and top-of-the-line performance are paramount, the MacBook would be the preferable choice, whereas for everyday tasks and easier mobility, the ThinkBook becomes a compelling option.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.6
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 boasts a high-quality GPU and screen refresh rate suitable for demanding 3D tasks, though its ecosystem limits the range of popular games available. Conversely, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while fair for gaming with a capable GPU and decent refresh rate, falls short in power compared to the MacBook Pro, but offers broader gaming compatibility with Windows.
Engineering and Design
8.9
7.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16, with its more powerful CPU, larger RAM capacity, and advanced GPU, excels in handling demanding engineering and design tasks and provides a superior screen quality for intricate work, but it's less portable and heavier. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still capable for engineering and design, is more portable and could be favoured for its balance of performance and mobility, even though it falls short in raw power and display fidelity compared to the MacBook.
Content Creation
8.9
8.0
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
7.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
18.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
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
13.5in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Apple MacBook Pro offers an exceptional screen with high resolution and brightness, enhancing visibility and clarity which is crucial for everyday tasks and media consumption. When it comes to engineering and design, this laptop's display covers a wide range of colors, ensuring that professionals see accurate and vibrant hues which is vital for detailed work. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the Lenovo ThinkBook's display, while delivering sharp and clear images for professional tasks, falls short due to a lower refresh rate which is key for smooth, fast-paced visuals.
Battery
17.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 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
Excellent
16.2in
SIZE
13.5in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.6
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,499
$1,399
$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 ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,499 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.77" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (12C) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 18 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 9.4/10 | |
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 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 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."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023) or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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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