Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro vs Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024)
The Verdict
These laptops serve different purposes despite similar pricing. The MacBook Pro 14 M3 Pro excels in portability at 1.61 kg versus the Legion's 2.49 kg, offers superior display quality with 1600 nits peak brightness and mini-LED technology, and delivers exceptional battery life reaching 17 hours for everyday tasks. Its unified 18 GB RAM and efficient M3 Pro chip handle creative work beautifully. However, the Legion Pro 5i 16 targets gaming and content creation with raw power, featuring an Intel Core i9-14900HX with 24 cores, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and a larger 16-inch screen. The 240Hz display suits competitive gaming, though at 500 nits it's dimmer for outdoor use. The Legion includes 1 TB storage versus 512 GB base, plus four USB-A ports for legacy peripherals. Battery life drops significantly to 5 hours during gaming. Choose the MacBook Pro if you prioritize portability, all-day battery, content creation, and display quality for video work or photo editing. Select the Legion if you need maximum gaming performance, a larger workspace, expandable storage, and don't mind carrying extra weight.
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 Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) if…
- →RTX 4070 with high TGP delivers excellent 1440p gaming
- →32 GB DDR5 RAM and 1 TB SSD in base config
- →240Hz QHD+ display with 500-nit brightness
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 Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024)
Pros
- RTX 4070 with high TGP delivers excellent 1440p gaming
- 32 GB DDR5 RAM and 1 TB SSD in base config
- 240Hz QHD+ display with 500-nit brightness
- Excellent thermal performance thanks to Legion Coldfront cooling
- Solid port selection with four USB-A ports
Cons
- Heavy at 2.49 kg — not ideal for daily carry
- Battery life plummets under gaming load
- Design is gamer-focused — not discrete in professional settings
- Loud fans at sustained loads
- Requires large power adapter
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro | Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sonoma | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.61 kg | 2.49 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 358.0 x 264.9 x 21.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 4 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours wireless web | Up to 5 hours gaming |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 99.9 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | IPS QHD+ 240Hz |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 240Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe (configurable to 4 TB) | 1 TB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 18 GB unified | 32 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU | 24-core (8P+16E) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 Pro | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 360
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
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 Legion Pro 5i 16 (2024).