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Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro vs Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16

Updated Apr 2026laptops
Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro
Apple
Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro
$2,499
8.7/10
Winner
VS
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
$999
7.2/10

The Verdict

Apple's MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro commands a significant price premium at $2499 versus Lenovo's IdeaPad Pro 5i at $999, reflecting meaningful performance and display differences. The MacBook features a superior Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display with 3456x2234 resolution and 1600 nits brightness, dramatically outperforming the IdeaPad's 2.5K IPS panel at 350 nits. Apple's M2 Pro delivers exceptional single-threaded performance for creative workflows, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H offers competitive multi-threaded capabilities at half the cost. Battery life heavily favors the MacBook at 22 hours versus 11 hours on the Lenovo. Port selection slightly favors the MacBook with three Thunderbolt 4 ports and superior MagSafe charging. Build quality leans toward Apple's aluminum unibody construction. For professionals requiring exceptional display calibration and sustained performance, the MacBook justifies its cost. Budget-conscious users gain solid performance and expandable storage with the IdeaPad, making it excellent value for general computing and light content creation. Choose MacBook Pro for creative professionals; select IdeaPad for value-focused productivity.

Value5i 16
BatteryM2 Pro
DisplayM2 Pro
PerformanceM2 Pro
portability5i 16

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 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

Apple MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Value
7.5
8.6
Battery
9.1
7.2
Display
9.2
6.8
Performance
8.9
8.1
portability
8.2
8.4

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 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

SpecApple MacBook Pro 16" M2 ProLenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
SoftwaremacOS VenturaWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight2.14 kg1.98 kg
MaterialAluminum unibodyAluminum lid with plastic base
Dimensions355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm356.2 x 248.2 x 18.9 mm
Ports
HDMI11
SD card
MagSafe
Thunderbolt ports31
USB-A ports2
USB-C ports1
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 22 hours wireless webUp to 11 hours mixed use
Capacity100 Wh84 Wh
Display
Size16.2 inches16.0 inches
TypeLiquid Retina XDR mini-LED2.5K IPS anti-glare
Resolution3456 x 22342560 x 1600
Refresh rate120Hz ProMotion120Hz
Brightness (nits)1600350
Storage
SSD512 GB NVMe (configurable to 8 TB)512 GB NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM16 GB unified16 GB DDR5
Cores12-core CPU, 19-core GPU16-core (6P+8E+2LPE)
ChipsetApple M2 ProIntel Core Ultra 7 155H

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 16" M2 Pro or the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16.

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