Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro vs Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 16 inch M2 Pro dominates in nearly every performance metric with its superior Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display offering 1600 nits brightness and 120Hz ProMotion, paired with the powerful 12-core M2 Pro chip and 16GB unified memory. Battery life extends to 22 hours versus the Lenovo's modest 6 hours. However, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 serves budget-conscious users needing Windows 11 and gaming capabilities at one-third the price, featuring a 15.6-inch 120Hz display and AMD Ryzen 5 processor. Build quality differs significantly: MacBook Pro's aluminum unibody against the Lenovo's plastic construction. Storage starts at 512GB on Apple versus 256GB on Lenovo. For professionals requiring all-day productivity and display excellence, the MacBook Pro justifies its premium. For students and casual gamers seeking value, the Lenovo delivers respectable performance at an accessible price point.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro if…
- →Outstanding 22-hour battery life for a 16-inch professional laptop
- →Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- →M2 Pro handles demanding creative workloads like 4K video editing
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 if…
- →RTX 4050 at $799 is excellent value for entry-level gaming
- →120Hz display is a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz
- →Upgradeable RAM and storage via accessible panels
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro
Pros
- Outstanding 22-hour battery life for a 16-inch professional laptop
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
- M2 Pro handles demanding creative workloads like 4K video editing
- Excellent port selection including HDMI, SD card, and MagSafe
- Fantastic six-speaker sound system with spatial audio
Cons
- Heavy at 2.14 kg — not ideal for frequent travel
- 16 GB base RAM should be 32 GB at $2499
- M3 Pro lineup arrived months later making this a short-lived generation
- macOS limits gaming compared to Windows alternatives
- No Face ID — relies on Touch ID in the keyboard
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Pros
- RTX 4050 at $799 is excellent value for entry-level gaming
- 120Hz display is a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz
- Upgradeable RAM and storage via accessible panels
- Ryzen 5 7535HS handles both gaming and schoolwork
- Decent thermals for a budget chassis with dual-fan cooling
Cons
- 250-nit display is too dim for well-lit rooms
- 8 GB base RAM needs upgrading for modern games
- 256 GB SSD fills up fast — plan to add a second drive
- All-plastic build feels flimsy and creaks
- Speaker quality is poor — headphones are recommended
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 5.07 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm | 14.19 x 10.14 x 0.91 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 6 hours |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe (configurable to 8 TB) | 256 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB unified | 8 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU | 6 cores / 12 threads |
| Chipset | Apple M2 Pro | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS |
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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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