Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the flagship option here, boasting a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. This is a game-changer for photographers and designers who rely on color accuracy. In contrast, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX offers impressive gaming performance with its RTX 4060, but it lacks the striking display quality of the MacBook. After testing both, the differences are clear. The MacBook's 72.4Wh battery provides up to 18 hours of video playback,. If you're into gaming, the Legion's 165Hz refresh rate screen offers a smooth experience, but the MacBook's display shines brighter, making it ideal for creative work in 2026.
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy | ★4.5(18)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Intel Core i7-13700HX (Raptor Lake, 16 cores, up to 5.0 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No dedicated NPU (Uses Lenovo LA1 AI chip for system optimization) |
Cooling | Active (Dual fan cooling system) | Legion Coldfront 5.0 (Dual fans, hybrid heat pipes, massive intake/exhaust) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | Yes (2x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB officially) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 14.2" | 16" |
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 (Native) | 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:10 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) | IPS (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 165 Hz (G-SYNC supported) |
Brightness | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) | 300 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3); True Tone | 100% sRGB |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FHD camera with E-shutter |
USB Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4, 140W Power Delivery); 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4); 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (1x Always On) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 80 Wh (Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 300 W Slim Tip adapter |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) | 2,550 g (5.6 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum (Top) / PC-ABS (Bottom) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
- • M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis
- • Generous port selection including HDMI 2.1, SDXC, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports
- • Excellent build quality available in the new 'Space Black' finish (reduces fingerprints)
- • Battery life remains impressive despite high performance (up to 18 hours video playback)
✗ Cons:
- • Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- • No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
- • The notch at the top of the display cuts into the menu bar area
- • Under maximum load, the fans can become audible (though quieter than most PC laptops)
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Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
✓ Pros:
- • High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) delivers top-tier performance for its class
- • Sharp 16:10 WQXGA display with 100% sRGB coverage and G-SYNC
- • Excellent thermal management with the Coldfront 5.0 cooling system
- • Wide port selection including 4x USB-A and 140W USB-C charging support
- • Sturdy build with an aluminum lid and 180-degree hinge
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life is average despite the 80Wh capacity due to high-power HX CPU
- • Bulky and heavy power brick (300W)
- • No biometric security (fingerprint or IR face unlock)
- • The 165Hz panel is 300 nits (the brighter 500-nit panel is reserved for the 240Hz SKU)
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Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits crushes the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i's 300 nits.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you need exceptional display quality for photography, require a longer battery life for travel, or prefer a premium build. (14.2" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX if: you want high gaming performance, need a customizable RAM option, or prefer a larger screen for immersive gameplay. (16" display, 165 Hz refresh)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch excels if you value class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX is better if you prioritize high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) delivers top-tier performance for its class. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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