Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro dominates with its exceptional Liquid Retina XDR display (1600 nits, 120Hz ProMotion), superior M4 Pro performance, and outstanding 22-hour battery life, making it ideal for demanding creative professionals. Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 5 16" offers excellent value at $799, featuring a larger 16-inch screen and more traditional port selection (USB-A, dual USB-C), though its Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, dimmer IPS display (300 nits), and 11-hour battery lag significantly behind. Build quality slightly favors Apple's all-aluminum construction versus Lenovo's plastic base. Storage remains locked at 512GB on both. For content creators, developers, and those needing premium performance, the MacBook Pro justifies its $1,200 premium with vastly superior specs and longevity. The Lenovo serves budget-conscious users and Windows devotees acceptably, but performance gaps are substantial. Recommendation: MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro for professionals; IdeaPad Slim 5 for casual computing on a budget.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro if…
- →Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- →Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- →Long battery life around 22 hours
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) if…
- →Large 16-inch screen great for productivity and multitasking
- →Strong port selection including HDMI and SD card
- →Excellent value for the spec sheet
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Pros
- Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- Long battery life around 22 hours
- Three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed I/O
- Excellent build quality and speakers
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Base RAM bumped to 24 GB raises entry cost
- Notch in display divides opinion
- No cellular or touchscreen option
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
Pros
- Large 16-inch screen great for productivity and multitasking
- Strong port selection including HDMI and SD card
- Excellent value for the spec sheet
- Comfortable full-size keyboard with numpad
Cons
- 1920x1200 panel is low resolution for a 16-inch display
- Heavier and bulkier than 14-inch ultrabooks
- Display brightness only 300 nits, dim outdoors
- Plastic base feels less premium than competitors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg | 1.95 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum top, plastic base |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 356.5 x 251.8 x 16.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 11 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 65 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | IPS, anti-glare |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | — |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU | 14 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M4 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H |
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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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024).