Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 13" Intel represents a capable but aging ultrabook, while Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 delivers superior modern specifications at a lower price point. Display quality favors the ThinkPad, which offers optional OLED technology with 2880 x 1800 resolution and 90Hz refresh rates versus Apple's fixed 2560 x 1600 60Hz Retina panel. Performance heavily advantages Lenovo with 13th-gen Intel processors offering up to 14 cores compared to the MacBook's dated 10th-gen quad-core i5. Battery life reaches 15 hours on ThinkPad models, substantially outlasting Apple's 10-hour estimate. Portability differs marginally: ThinkPad weighs 1.12 kg to MacBook's 1.4 kg. Value decisively favors Lenovo at $1,449 versus $1,799, offering newer technology and broader port selection including legacy USB-A. MacOS ecosystem loyalty remains Apple's sole advantage for users deeply invested in that ecosystem.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) if…
- →4 Thunderbolt 3 ports — double the lower-end 13-inch models
- →16 GB RAM standard in the 4-port configuration
- →Supports multiple external displays unlike M1 models
Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 if…
- →Incredibly light at 1.12 kg — ideal for travel
- →Optional 2.8K OLED display is stunning for media and creative work
- →Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard with excellent key travel
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020)
Pros
- 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports — double the lower-end 13-inch models
- 16 GB RAM standard in the 4-port configuration
- Supports multiple external displays unlike M1 models
- Excellent Retina display with P3 wide color and True Tone
- Reliable Intel ecosystem with broad software compatibility
Cons
- Dramatically outperformed by the M1 chip in both speed and efficiency
- 10-hour battery life is nearly half the M1 MacBook Pro
- Fans spin up frequently and loudly under moderate loads
- Touch Bar is widely disliked and was later discontinued
- Thermal throttling limits sustained performance
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
Pros
- Incredibly light at 1.12 kg — ideal for travel
- Optional 2.8K OLED display is stunning for media and creative work
- Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard with excellent key travel
- MIL-STD 810H tested for ruggedness and durability
- Good port selection includes USB-A, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- OLED option significantly reduces battery life to around 10 hours
- 60Hz IPS panel feels behind the times
- Starting price of $1449 is expensive for the base config
- Soldered RAM limits upgradeability
- Integrated graphics only — not suitable for GPU-heavy workloads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13" Intel (Late 2020) | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 1.12 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Carbon fiber and magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 12.0 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches | 315.6 x 222.5 x 15.36 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 4 | — |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 4 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 15 hours (IPS) / 10 hours (OLED) |
| Capacity | 58 Wh | 57 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | OLED (IPS optional) |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz (90Hz OLED) |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB (configurable to 4 TB) | 512 GB / 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB / 32 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 4 cores / 8 threads | 10-core (2P + 8E) / 14-core (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (10th Gen) | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1365U / i7-1370P |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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