LaptopCompare

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" vs Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U

Join us on an exploration of top-performing laptops, contrasting two key players: the 2015 Apple MacBook Pro 13" and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14". We'll review all aspects from their modern design styles to their high-performing hardware setups. Visualize yourself at your preferred coffee shop, with the MacBook's vivid Retina Display in view, or possibly you're on a busy subway, deeply appreciating the ThinkPad's sturdy structure and lengthy battery life. We've prepared a comprehensive list of details for you - the advantages, the disadvantages, and everything within that spectrum. Whether you're an artistic professional in search of a creative tool or a business-savvy individual needing a dependable coworker, this comparison aims to highlight which laptop is most suitable for your requirements. So get comfortable, unwind, and let’s delve into this technological discussion!

Performance

System and application performance

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
37
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
50
Gaming

Performance in popular 3D games

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
37
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
50
Display

Viewing angle, color accuracy...

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
64
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
54
Connectivity

Ports, webcam and other interfaces

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
59
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
60
Battery Life

Potential battery life

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
78
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
39
Design

Materials, durability and portability

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
60
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
69

Design Comparison

Size Comparison

When examining the design features of the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14", it's important to understand their impact on user experience and suitability for various users, be it students or professionals.

Design Elements:

Ergonomics:

  • Both laptops are lightweight at 3.5 pounds, ensuring portability.
  • The MacBook Pro is a bit smaller and thinner, measuring 12.4 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches, in contrast to the ThinkPad's 13.3 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches.
  • The backlit keyboards on both models improve usability in low-light conditions.

Materials & Build Quality:

  • The MacBook Pro from Apple features a stylish aluminum unibody design that offers a high-end and sturdy sensation.
  • Lenovo's ThinkPad T480 is built to last, prioritizing durability and longevity with its construction materials.

Portability:

  • Both laptops are compact and lightweight, ideal for easy portability on campus or at the office. The slightly smaller size of the MacBook Pro could attract users seeking a more portable device.

Unique Design Features:

  • The MacBook Pro offers versatile connectivity options with Thunderbolt ports, HDMI output, and a MagSafe power adapter. Lenovo's ThinkPad T480 is distinguished by its USB Type-C port and RJ45 ports, ideal for users with specific connectivity needs such as fast data transfers or wired network connections.

User Experience Insights:

For Students:

  • Students might find the MacBook Pro's slim design and lightweight beneficial for carrying between classes. The MacBook Pro offers a range of connectivity options that can support the devices students require for presentations and group projects.

For Professionals:

  • Professionals may prefer the ThinkPad T480 for its durable design and extra USB ports that accommodate various peripherals. The ThinkPad's RJ45 port is advantageous in corporate settings with widespread wired network connections.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" is a compact and versatile choice for students who require portability and flexibility. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is ideal for professionals needing a durable laptop with multiple ports for work tasks.

Screen Comparison

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
ResolutionQHDFull HD
Screen Size13.3"14"

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Laptop Screen Comparison

When examining the screen specifications of the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14", various essential elements can greatly influence user experience, particularly for activities such as gaming or professional graphic design.

Screen Size:

  • Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13": Comes with a portable 13.3-inch display.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T480: Features a 14-inch display.

Impact on User Experience: The Lenovo ThinkPad T480's larger screen size enhances the viewing experience, ideal for multitasking or viewing detailed content simultaneously.

Screen Resolution:

  • Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13": Features a high-resolution display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T480: Features a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Impact on User Experience:

  • The MacBook Pro's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, ideal for graphic design work that demands precision. In comparison, the ThinkPad T480's Full HD resolution provides good clarity for general tasks but lacks the detail of the MacBook Pro's display.

Pixel Density:

  • Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13": Provides a pixel density of 227 pixels per inch.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T480: Offers a pixel density of 157 ppi.

Impact on User Experience: A higher pixel density produces sharper images and smoother text, enhancing the clarity of details. This can benefit professionals working with detailed designs or photographers needing precise color representation.

Display Technology:

Both laptops have IPS LCD LED-backlit screens equipped with anti-glare coatings and the capability to connect up to three additional displays.

Impact on User Experience: IPS technology guarantees wide viewing angles and precise color reproduction, which is essential for professionals involved in color-sensitive tasks such as graphic design or video editing. The anti-glare coating minimizes reflections, improving visibility under different lighting conditions.

In summary, the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" stands out for its high screen resolution and pixel density, ideal for tasks requiring clear visuals. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad T480's larger screen size may provide better multitasking capabilities. Your decision between these laptops should be based on your individual needs - whether you value precise image quality for design tasks or need a larger display size.

Hardware Comparison

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
RAM8GB8GB
Storage Size1000GB256GB

When examining the hardware features of the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8GHz / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD, several important elements are at play:

CPU:

  • MacBook Pro (2015): Equipped with a 2GHz CPU.
  • ThinkPad T480: Comes with an Intel Core i7-8550U processor running at 1.8GHz, with the ability to turbo boost up to 4GHz.

Performance Impact: The increased clock speed of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 results in enhanced processing power for tasks such as video editing, rendering, and multitasking.

RAM:

  • MacBook Pro (2015): Comes with 8GB RAM running at a speed of 1866 MHz.
  • ThinkPad T480: Equipped with 8GB of RAM operating at a faster speed of 2400 MHz.

Performance Impact: The faster RAM in the ThinkPad T480 enables quicker data access and enhanced multitasking capabilities, ideal for demanding software tasks and multitasking needs.

GPU:

  • MacBook Pro (2015): Integrated graphics.
  • ThinkPad T480: Features integrated graphics as well.

Performance Impact: Although both laptops come with integrated graphics, they might face challenges when running high-end games or graphic-intensive applications. Both devices should handle basic photo or video editing tasks for multimedia purposes.

In terms of storage:

  • The MacBook Pro offers a greater internal storage capacity of 1000GB in comparison to the ThinkPad T480's 256GB SSD.

Performance Comparison: The MacBook Pro's increased storage capacity accommodates multimedia files, games, and software. Conversely, the ThinkPad T480's SSD boasts faster read/write speeds for quicker boot times and application loading.

Other Considerations:

  • Threads & Multithreading: The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 boasts twice the number of CPU threads as the MacBook Pro (2015), enabling smoother task management.

Memory Expansion: The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 can accommodate up to 32GB of memory, outperforming the MacBook Pro, which caps at 16GB, allowing for greater flexibility in potential upgrades.

Conclusion:

If you need faster processing speeds, multitasking capabilities, and potential memory upgrades, the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 with its Intel Core i7 processor and faster RAM would be a great fit. On the other hand, if you prioritize larger internal storage capacity and are okay with slightly lower performance in CPU-intensive tasks, then the MacBook Pro (2015) could still be a solid choice for multimedia tasks and light software operation.

Battery Comparison

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U
Battery Life12 hours13.9 hours

Comparing the battery performance of the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14" Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8GHz / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD reveals significant distinctions.

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13":

  • Battery Life: Provides a solid 12 hours of battery life, catering to users requiring a dependable laptop for mobile use.

Additional Features:

  • USB Ports for Charging While Asleep: Allows devices to charge conveniently even when the laptop is in sleep mode.
  • Magsafe Power Adapter: This feature offers a magnetic connection for charging, minimizing potential damage in case the power cord is accidentally pulled.

Lenovo ThinkPad T480 14":

  • Battery Life: With an impressive battery life of up to 13.9 hours, this device provides slightly longer usage between charges than the MacBook Pro.
  • Battery Capacity: The device boasts a 2040 mAh battery for long-lasting, reliable performance.

Additional Features:

  • Sleep And Charge Usb Ports: Like the MacBook Pro, this feature enables users to conveniently charge their devices while the laptop is in sleep mode.

In brief, both laptops provide reliable battery performance and convenient features like Sleep And Charge USB ports. The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 has a slightly longer battery life of up to 13.9 hours compared to the MacBook Pro's 12 hours.

Verdict

Why Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"?

  • Higher screen resolution and pixel density, ideal for tasks requiring clear visuals.
  • Sleek and stylish aluminum unibody design, offering a premium look and feel.
  • Wide range of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt ports and HDMI output.
  • Lightweight and portable design, making it easy to carry around for on-the-go productivity.

Why ?

  • Lenovo ThinkPad T480 offers faster RAM for enhanced multitasking capabilities.
  • The ThinkPad T480 provides longer battery life, ideal for prolonged usage between charges.
  • With a larger screen size, the ThinkPad T480 enhances the viewing experience, especially for multitasking.
  • The ThinkPad T480 allows for memory expansion up to 32GB, providing greater flexibility for potential upgrades.