Maybe your work PC is becoming a bit sluggish. Perhaps you’ve been closely following our coverage and have seen our evaluations of the 2022 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 and the M2-based Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch recently. Or perhaps you simply recognize that you need the finest company-provided PC you can obtain, and you don’t currently have it. Well, if you’re making the case to your supervisor for a superior notebook, you better come prepared.
Peak performance and features often command top dollar, but obtaining the finest business PC isn’t solely about snagging the model with the highest price tag. If you desire a superior work machine, you also need to convince the boss about the productivity advantages you can attain for that larger slice of the budget.
We’re here to dissect the specifications, compare the features, and address the inquiries you and your supervisor will have while deliberating between these two prime business PCs.
2022 MacBook Pro vs. ThinkPad X1: Specification Comparison
While the X1 Carbon and the MacBook Pro 13-Inch both offer top-notch components, they’re far from identical.
The most obvious difference is the age-old Mac versus PC debate. The MacBook Pro is an Apple machine, running macOS Monterey. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a Windows PC, running Windows 11 Pro. We’ll delve into the key distinctions later, but if you’re already attached to one operating system, or your IT infrastructure allows for only one, it makes your decision quite straightforward.
Tested: The 2022 MacBook Pro & ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
The other significant difference is Apple’s utilization of the M2 chip, the latest Apple Silicon processor. In many tests, we found the M2 offers exceptional performance – just shy of the M1 Pro and M1 Max introduced on the more premium 14-inch MacBook Pro. It’s all part of Apple’s departure from Intel processors, but it comes with complexities around supported software, even for older Mac programs. The X1 Carbon, on the other hand, sticks with Intel, and is equipped with the latest twelfth Generation (“Birch Lake”) Core i7 processor, one of the most potent options available for any PC.
2022 MacBook Pro vs. ThinkPad 10: Configuration and Pricing
It’s worth noting that while this comparison refers to the units we were able to test for our reviews, they aren’t the only configurations available for either model. Both systems have a range of configuration options, and your choices for customizable features can significantly alter the price.
Apple offers several configurations of the 13-Inch MacBook Pro. Our test unit is upgraded from the base model, equipped with 16GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage, and sells for $1,899. The base model is slightly more modest, with the same Apple M2 eight-core processor and 10 GPU cores, but only 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for storage. The price for that base version is $1,299. The top model ($2,499) maxes out with 24GB of memory and a 2TB drive.
With the 2022 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10, you have a choice between the midrange Core i5 and the more potent Core i7 in our review unit. Both options rely on integrated graphics – no discrete GPU option for this machine – but you have plenty of other choices in hardware.
The Age-Old Question: Windows or Mac?
While we’d prefer not to stir up any old battles, the question of operating systems looms large over any comparison of Apple and Lenovo products. With the MacBook Pro using Apple’s latest version of macOS and the Lenovo running Windows 11 Pro, both machines offer the most refined versions of today’s Windows and macOS software.
It’s a discussion we’ve been having at PCMag since, well, forever, but despite technically being a PC, Apple’s Mac line has always been a different breed. Today the differences are less about the interface and more focused on application availability.
The 2022 ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a top-tier business laptop from Lenovo that offers a sleek design, potent performance, and an array of productivity features. It is an excellent choice for professionals who require a dependable and high-performing laptop for work.
One of the standout features of the ThinkPad X1 is its impressive processing power, thanks to the latest twelfth Generation (“Alder Lake”) Intel Core i7 processor. This allows for seamless multitasking, rapid program launches, and swift data processing. Additionally, the laptop comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage, providing ample space to store files and run demanding programs.
In terms of design, the ThinkPad boasts a slim and lightweight build, making it effortless to transport between meetings or while traveling. It also sports a durable carbon fiber chassis that can endure daily wear and tear. The laptop features a 14-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, delivering crisp and vibrant visuals for work and entertainment.
