Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro vs Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
The Verdict
MacBook Pro 14 M3 Pro and Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 serve different market segments effectively. Apple's offering excels with its stunning 3024x1964 Liquid Retina XDR display reaching 1600 nits, exceptional 17-hour battery life, and superior M3 Pro performance with 18-core GPU for creative work. Lenovo counters with a larger 16-inch screen, dual USB-A ports for legacy connectivity, expandable storage, and half the price. MacBook's aluminum unibody feels premium and weighs 370 grams less, while Lenovo provides better value for budget-conscious users needing a spacious workspace. Choose MacBook Pro if professional video editing, color-critical work, or longevity justifies the investment. Select Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 for everyday computing, office tasks, and maximum screen real estate at a bargain price point.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro if…
- →M3 Pro with 3nm process delivers 20% faster CPU than M2 Pro
- →Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- →18 GB unified memory is a welcome base RAM increase over M2 Pro
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 if…
- →Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- →2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- →Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro
Pros
- M3 Pro with 3nm process delivers 20% faster CPU than M2 Pro
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- 18 GB unified memory is a welcome base RAM increase over M2 Pro
- 17-hour battery life is outstanding for a pro laptop
- Excellent port selection with HDMI, SD card reader, and MagSafe
Cons
- $1999 starting price is steep for the base configuration
- 512 GB base SSD may fill quickly for creative professionals
- 1.61 kg is noticeably heavier than the MacBook Air
- Notch on display can interfere with certain menu bar apps
- macOS limits gaming compared to Windows laptops
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Pros
- Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- 2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
- Upgradeable RAM and SSD
- 84 Wh battery supports all-day use
Cons
- Plastic base panel feels less premium
- Display brightness of 350 nits is modest
- No discrete GPU on base model
- Fans audible under sustained workloads
- Heavier than comparable ultrabooks
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sonoma | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.61 kg | 1.98 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 356.2 x 248.2 x 18.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours wireless web | Up to 11 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 84 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | 2.5K IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe (configurable to 4 TB) | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 18 GB unified | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Related Comparisons
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs LG gram 14 (2024)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs HP Spectre x360 14 (2023)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Dell XPS 14 (2023)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro
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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro or the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16.