Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga vs Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020)
The real choice here is the system: the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch runs macOS. Beyond that, the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga doubles as a tablet and has HDMI, USB-A and an SD card reader, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has a sharper screen and has a brighter screen.
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Key differences
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Performance
Evenly matched
Both stay smooth with lots of apps open, with 16 GB of memory each.
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Neither is made for modern games.
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Display
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has the better screen: 13.3" 2.5K 500 nits against 13.3" Full HD 300 nits.
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Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 10.36 hours against up to 10 hours.
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Connectivity
Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga is better connected. Only it has HDMI, USB-A and a card reader.
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Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.44 kg and 1.4 kg.
Other differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch runs macOS. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Tablet mode Depends on you
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga is a 2-in-1 that turns into a tablet; the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is a regular laptop.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You'd like to use it as a tablet, or write and draw on the screen: it's a 2-in-1.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors), USB-A (for older USB accessories) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 500 nits.
Full spec comparison
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga leads on ports and wireless, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch leads on the screen.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Both laptops are very close on performance.
Their processors are in the same class: both are smooth with lots of apps and tabs open, and both have 16 GB of memory.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1145G7 | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | LPDDR4X-3733 onboard |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe NVMe M.2 2242 | — |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is ahead on the screen.
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga is a 2-in-1 that turns into a tablet; the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is a regular laptop. The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga doubles as a tablet, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has a sharper screen and has a brighter screen.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.3" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | — |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 500 nits |
| Colour range | 72% NTSC | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Anti-reflective | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10.36 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Battery capacity | 46 Wh | 58 Wh |
| Charger | — | 61 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | 80% in 60 minutes | — |
| Weight | 1.44 kg | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 311.5 x 219 x 17.6 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 15.6 mm |
| Materials | aluminium top, GFRP bottom | recyclable low-carbon aluminium enclosure |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H | — |
| Hinge | 360-degree convertible | — |
| Colour | — | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Black, Silver | Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI, USB-A and an SD card reader, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (charging, Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (charging, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x microSD | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | 4x Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 2 |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | — | None |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | — | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Keyboard | 6-row spill-resistant keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 66-key ISO layout; Touch Bar; ambient light sensor |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Mylar multi-touch touchpad with TrackPoint | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Dolby Audio Premium | stereo speakers with high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | dual-array | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | Supported (sold separately) | No |
| Security | discrete TPM 2.0, Kensington Security Slot, ThinkShutter | Touch ID |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | macOS |
| Model number | — | MWP42B/A |
| Released | 2020 | 2020 |