In the realm of creator's laptops, a fierce rivalry is brewing, with the illustrious Apple MacBook Pro 16 reigning as the benchmark for exceptional performance, battery longevity, and top-tier quality. However, there's a new contender on the block, and it's none other than Lenovo's upscale transformation of the Slim 9i laptop, now reborn as the Slim Pro 9i. With its potent CPU and diverse GPU options, Lenovo is determined to dethrone the MacBook Pro 16. But can it truly hold its own against the formidable MacBook Air 16?
Specs and Configurations
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i | Apple MacBook Pro 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.27 inches x 9.64 inches x 0.71 inches | 14.01 inches x 9.77 inches x 0.66 inches |
| Weight | 4.92 pounds | 4.8 pounds |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13905H | Apple M1 ProApple M1 Max |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Integrated Apple GPU |
| RAM | 32GB LPDDR5X-6400Mhz | 16GB32GB64GB (M1 Max) |
| Display | 16.0-inch 16:10 3.2K (3200 x 2000) mini-LED touch, 165Hz | 16.2-inch 16:10 Liquid Retina XDR (3456 x 2234), 120Hz |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe SSD | 512GB SSD1TB SSD2TB SSD4TB SSD8TB SSD |
| Touch | Yes | No |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 42 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 11 x HDMI1 x 3.5mm audio jack1 x SD card reader | 3 x USB-C 4 with Thunderbolt 41 x HDMI 2.01 x 3.5mm audio jack1 x SD Card reader |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 5MP with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello | 1080p |
| Operating system | Windows 11 | MacOS Monterey |
| Battery | 75 watt-hour | 100 watt-hour |
| Price | Lenovo Slim Pro 9i Pricing | Apple MacBook Pro 16 Pricing |
Lenovo's pricing structure is a labyrinth that shifts frequently. At present, the configuration I reviewed, boasting a Core i9-13905H processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 16.0-inch Mini-LED display, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, comes in at $1,800. A more budget-conscious alternative offers a Core i7-1280P CPU and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics for $1,545. However, the slight price reduction doesn't translate to a substantial compromise in performance.
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In comparison, the MacBook Pro 16 ventures into the upper echelons of laptop pricing. Starting at $2,499, the base model features an M2 Pro CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 16.2-inch Mini-LED display. At the zenith of extravagance, a staggering $6,499 fetches an M2 Max CPU, 96GB of RAM, and an 8TB SSD.
Apple and Lenovo Design
Boasting a sleek and elegantly minimalist chassis, the MacBook Pro 16 exudes refinement. Crafted from solid aluminum blocks, its seamless fit and finish stand unmatched. With subtle curves and angles, the design embodies minimalism at its finest. Despite its expansive 16.2-inch screen, the MacBook Pro 16 maintains a reasonably compact profile, thanks to slim bezels. At a mere 0.66 inches in thickness and 4.8 pounds, it radiates a slim and lightweight aura. The sole contentious feature is the distinctive display notch, which accommodates the 1080p webcam.
The Slim Pro 9i, too, radiates quality craftsmanship, though not quite at the MacBook's level. Embracing a similarly minimalist aesthetic, its rounded edges add a touch of comfort to its visual appeal. It's a genuinely attractive laptop, leaving you grappling with an aesthetic dilemma when choosing between these two juggernauts. It occupies comparable dimensions to the MacBook Pro 16, albeit slightly thicker and heavier at 0.71 inches and 4.92 pounds. Lenovo's innovation shines through in its iconic reverse notch, incorporating thin bezels while housing a high-quality 5MP webcam and infrared camera – a design preference some may favor.
When it comes to input, the MacBook Pro 16 holds sway with its unrivaled keyboard and spacious Force Touch haptic touchpad. The Slim Pro 9i's keyboard suffices, and its touchpad performs adequately. Here, Apple takes the laurels.
Both contenders offer robust connectivity, with the MacBook trumping in Thunderbolt 4 support while the Slim Pro 9i boasts a couple of USB-A ports. The wireless domain is where they converge, with both flaunting the latest in wireless technology.
In the realm of security, the Slim Pro 9i introduces facial recognition through Windows 11 Hello, complemented by an electronic webcam switch. In contrast, the MacBook Pro 16 integrates Apple's hallmark Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
Performance
The Slim Pro 9i harnesses the potency of the 45-watt 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13905H CPU, wielding a 14-core configuration (six Performance and eight Efficient) that delivers remarkable CPU-intensive performance. The MacBook Pro 16 offers the choice of M2 Pro or M2 Max, the former boasting 12 CPU cores and 19 GPU cores, with the latter configurable up to 12 CPU cores and 38 GPU cores. Having tested the earlier model of MacBook Pro 16 with the 10-core CPU/16-core GPU M1 Pro, we can include the MacBook Pro 14 with the M2 Max as a representative proxy. It's worth noting that the 16-inch variant is likely to have a performance edge due to superior thermals.
In a series of CPU-intensive benchmarks, the Slim Pro 9i outpaced the MacBook Pro 14 M2 Max in all but the Geekbench 5 test. Diving into the Pugetbench Premiere Pro benchmark, which employs GPU acceleration to expedite various tasks, the Slim Pro 9i once again asserted its dominance in performance mode. This unexpected outcome, despite the entry-level Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU in the Slim Pro 9i, highlights that Apple's M2 Max CPU doesn't necessarily outshine a Windows laptop with a discrete GPU.
Both contenders shine in demanding productivity tasks, showcasing prowess in high-end creative workflows.
| Geekbench (single/multi) | Handbrake (seconds) | Cinebench R23 (single/multi) | Pugetbench Premiere Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i (Core i9-13905H / RTX 4050) | Balanced: 1688 / 13283Performance: 1667 / 13884 | Balanced: 71Performance: 63 | Balanced: 1690 / 16645Performance: 1691 / 18085 | Balanced: 912Performance: 1114 |
| MacBook Pro 16 (M1 Pro 10/16) | Balanced: 1707/ 12605Performance: N/A | Balanced: 95Performance: N/A | Balanced: 1531 / 12343Performance: N/A | Balanced: 977Performance: N/A |
| MacBook Pro 14 M2 (M2 Max 10/38) | Balanced: 1668 / 14422Performance: N/A | Balanced: 85Performance: N/A | Balanced: 1608 / 14789Performance: N/A | Balanced: 1093Performance: N/A |
Slim Pro 9i vS Pro 16 Display And Audio
Both contenders harness cutting-edge Mini-LED technology, albeit with distinctive implementations. The Slim Pro 9i boasts impressive brightness, registering one of the highest scores on record and easily outshining the MacBook Pro in standard XDR mode. Both displays likely scale further when rendering high dynamic range (HDR) content, an attribute we recognize in the MacBook Pro 16, even if unquantified. In terms of color breadth and accuracy, both fare similarly well, catering aptly to creators' needs.
However, the MacBook Pro 16 sets itself apart with a notably higher contrast ratio and richer blacks by default. This gives it an edge in overall display quality. Activating HDR mode on the Slim Pro 9i in Windows elevates its contrast to a comparable level but tempers color and brightness. Clearly, Apple's meticulous optimization of its Mini-LED panel surpasses Lenovo's. It's worth noting that the Slim Pro 9i's panel boasts up to 165Hz, while the MacBook Pro 16 maintains a 120Hz refresh rate.
Regardless, both displays excel in productivity and prove highly capable in creative applications. Yet, the MacBook Pro 16 reigns supreme when it comes to delivering the most captivating HDR content.
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i (Mini-LED) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Mini-LED) | |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness (nits) | 675 | 475 |
| AdobeRGB gamut | 88% | 90% |
| sRGB gamut | 100% | 100% |
| Accuracy (DeltaE, lower is better) | 1.24 | 1.04 |
| Contrast ratio | 3,090:1 | 475,200:1 |
The MacBook Pro 16 boasts six speakers graced with force-canceling woofers, delivering, in no uncertain terms, the paramount audio experience among laptops. It radiates volumes of sound, flaunting crystal-clear mids, resonant highs, and surprisingly robust bass for a laptop. An auditory treat awaits. Moreover, the headphone jack accommodates high-impedance headphones. While the Slim Pro 9i's quartet of speakers suffice, they pale in comparison to the symphony of audio emanating from the MacBook Pro 16.
Portability
Both behemoths are formidable in size, making their presence felt when tucked away. Nevertheless, the MacBook Pro 16 enjoys a slight edge in svelteness.
The MacBook Pro 16 truly shines in the efficiency arena, seamlessly melding robust performance with extraordinary battery life. Even with the power-hungry Mini-LED display, and armed with a substantial 100 watt-hour battery, the MacBook Pro 16 emerged doubly victorious in our web browsing and video looping tests when pitted against the Slim Pro 9i. While the Slim Pro 9i shoulders a 75-watt-hour battery, the gulf in performance can't be solely attributed to this discrepancy. Apple's Silicon chips, with their exceptional efficiency, stand leagues ahead of Intel's counterparts.
A single charge of the MacBook Pro 16 can sustain normal usage for a couple of days, whereas the Slim Pro 9i may prompt a hunt for the charger by midday. The MacBook Pro 16 offers an enviable blend of performance and battery life that Windows laptops simply can't emulate.
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i (Core i9-13905H) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M2 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Web browsing | 4 hours, 59 minutes | 9 hours, 18 minutes |
| Video playback | 9 hours, 18 minutes | 23 hours, 11 minutes |
Conclusion: Refinement vs. Challenger
The Slim Pro 9i presents a compelling contender in the 16-inch laptop arena, combining an impressive display, commendable performance for demanding creative workflows, and a more budget-friendly price tag. However, its Achilles' heel lies in lackluster battery life.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the MacBook Pro 16 stands as a paragon of refinement. Uniting swiftness with unparalleled battery longevity, its design and craftsmanship reach a pinnacle. While commanding a premium price, it offers an experience that's both opulent and polished.
In this clash of titans, Lenovo's Slim Pro 9i bravely steps onto the battlefield, but Apple's MacBook Pro 16 remains unrivaled as the epitome of laptop magnificence.
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