MacBook Pro 16" or 2026 Windows laptop?

[pshufd]

I need 500 or above nits. Didn't have good experience with their customer support in the past.

I think that it's difficult to do superlight, high-resolution, high brightness and large screen all at the same time.

I've never owned an LG but the impression I have is that Apple > Dell > Lenovo retail > all the rest. If you're talking Enterprise or Business service, then that's different.

My search that wound up with the Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura 2-in-1 started in the spring and finished in July. There is just so much out there that it takes a while to research them, read initial reviews, and then short-term customer reviews and then wait for them to get the bugs out and look at any known problems or caveats.

You'll also find better deals if you wait 3 months or more as initial prices usually are MSRP.

 

[Steve Adams]

@pshufd Do you have a link to your Lenovo aura? I would like to see it.

TIA!

 

[pshufd]

@pshufd Do you have a link to your Lenovo aura? I would like to see it.

TIA!

These were last year's models (Lunar Lake) and they're getting very hard to find. I paid about $1,520 for mine. This year's models with Panther Lake start around $2,400 for a slight increase in performance. This is not a laptop if you need high-performance. Geekbench Multicore is under 11,000. The features are thin, light, 2-in-1 and 4k display in 14 inches.

The 2026 Panther Lake models do not offer a 4k option. What I've noticed is that Panther Lake laptops in general have weaker feature sets (display, RAM, SSD) to ameliorate the price hikes for RAM and SSD and am expecting them to provide more premium options over time. This may be to generate volume sales. It's also possible that 4k options are just declining, particularly on 14 inch laptops. I have given some consideration as to buying a second one in case laptop companies stop making these altogether.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel)

Learn more about the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel), a groundbreaking 14″ 2-in-1 laptop engineered for creatives on the go.

www.lenovo.com

 

[hajime]

These were last year's models (Lunar Lake) and they're getting very hard to find. I paid about $1,520 for mine. This year's models with Panther Lake start around $2,400 for a slight increase in performance. This is not a laptop if you need high-performance. Geekbench Multicore is under 11,000. The features are thin, light, 2-in-1 and 4k display in 14 inches.

The 2026 Panther Lake models do not offer a 4k option. What I've noticed is that Panther Lake laptops in general have weaker feature sets (display, RAM, SSD) to ameliorate the price hikes for RAM and SSD and am expecting them to provide more premium options over time. This may be to generate volume sales. It's also possible that 4k options are just declining, particularly on 14 inch laptops. I have given some consideration as to buying a second one in case laptop companies stop making these altogether.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel)

Learn more about the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel), a groundbreaking 14″ 2-in-1 laptop engineered for creatives on the go.

www.lenovo.com

View attachment 2643358

Does the screen wobble? From a review video, it looks like at least for the 2026 version, it wobbles a lot. Not sure if it is just the one tge reviewer has or all are like this. This is a concern.

 

[pshufd]

Does the screen wobble? From a review video, it looks like at least for the 2026 version, it wobbles a lot. Not sure if it is just the one tge reviewer has or all are like this. This is a concern.

I've not found any screen wobble but I'm not usually in an environment for that to happen. I do use it in a recliner and it is fairly stiff. My MacBook Pro has more play than the Yoga but the MacBook Pro is almost five years old and the Yoga only one.

 

[Steve Adams]

My dell 2 in 1 is almost 6 years old now and it's not displaying any screen wobble anywhere. Things must be made much cheaper since then.

 

[pshufd]

My dell 2 in 1 is almost 6 years old now and it's not displaying any screen wobble anywhere. Things must be made much cheaper since then.

I do not have wobble in any of my laptops but the resistance to opening and closing declines with age. I suspect that I could take the MacBook Pro into The Apple Store and ask them to tighten things up if it were a problem.

The bad years for hinges for a lot of companies was 2021 - 2023. I don't know what happened but there were a rash of issues across multiple manufacturers which started to get addressed in 2024.

 

[Steve Adams]

I do not have wobble in any of my laptops but the resistance to opening and closing declines with age. I suspect that I could take the MacBook Pro into The Apple Store and ask them to tighten things up if it were a problem.

The bad years for hinges for a lot of companies was 2021 - 2023. I don't know what happened but there were a rash of issues across multiple manufacturers which started to get addressed in 2024.

Oh, btw, the new version of your yoga is 3339.00 canadian. That's wild. 1899.00 american.

 

[pshufd]

Oh, btw, the new version of your yoga is 3339.00 canadian. That's wild. 1899.00 american.

Going by the conversion rate of 0.7, it should be $2,714 Canadian. It would be cheaper to buy one at a Best Buy in the United States with a credit card, particularly if you can get one with the occasional $400 discount.

 

[TracerAnalog]

The ProArt 16 was discussed so I'd assume that the OP wants a high density display.

The pixel density of the ProArt 16 is 283. The pixel density of the MacBook Air 15 is 224. The MacBook Pro 16 is 254. It's 315 for my Lenovo Yoga 14 4k.

OP also wants a silent computer with big battery life 🤷🏻‍♂️.

 

[hajime]

OP also wants a silent computer with big battery life 🤷🏻‍♂️.

About 7 hours would be good. 5 would be less ideal as I would need to carry an additional power adapter.

As a reference, the current M5 Pro MacBook Pro 16" has too long battery life that I don't need. I could use it for three days without charging and still a lot left.

 

[conmee]

About 7 hours would be good. 5 would be less ideal as I would need to carry an additional power adapter.

As a reference, the current M5 Pro MacBook Pro 16" has too long battery life that I don't need. I could use it for three days without charging and still a lot left.

Just change out your 16” MBP battery for this smaller/lighter battery designed for the 14” MBP. Less runtime and lighter weight. Win-win. Problem solved. 😉

 

[conmee]

I think at this point, there’s very little overlap on the Venn diagram that represents your requirements. I’m now quite interested in what you do end up with if you don’t keep your new unopened MBP.

 

[hajime]

I think at this point, there’s very little overlap on the Venn diagram that represents your requirements. I’m now quite interested in what you do end up with if you don’t keep your new unopened MBP.

Unfortunately you are right. Will waiting til the Fall have more choices including the RTX Spark laptops?

I feel like a bride dumping the to-be-groom for another guy in the last minute at a wedding ceremony.

 

[conmee]

Unfortunately you are right. Will waiting til the Fall have more choices including the RTX Spark laptops?

I feel like a bride dumping the to-be-groom for another guy in the last minute at a wedding ceremony.

I don't think RTX Spark is going to solve many of your challenges. It is an ARM system (MediaTek+Nvidia) so you won't have Windows/x86 binary compatibility and will need to run Win11ARM for CAD or other Windows dependent apps just like you do with the MBP. These ought to be great mobile platforms if you need CUDA. But these laptops are all in on AI. If you think current macOS or Windows AI is unsatisfactory, read the Nvidia press release (granted, lots of marketing hyperbole, but they are all in on AI with these devices). They are marketing RTX Spark as "the personal AI computer." Another quote: “RTX Spark and NVIDIA OpenShell give Hermes users a powerful and secure environment for agents to run and work alongside you. You realize you’re buying a full-fledged assistant, not a typical laptop.” And let's hear from Microsoft: “Our goal is to deliver unmetered intelligence to every home and every desk with Windows,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. “RTX Spark marks a real breakthrough towards that vision.” Even if you can turn off a lot of AI, that could end up being a huge chore if you buy a laptop that is hyperoptimized and configured for AI right from the factory. AI aside, the GPU alone will ensure lesser battery life and likely a much bigger power brick than the MBP as well.

 

[Steve Adams]

I don't think RTX Spark is going to solve many of your challenges. It is an ARM system (MediaTek+Nvidia) so you won't have Windows/x86 binary compatibility and will need to run Win11ARM for CAD or other Windows dependent apps just like you do with the MBP. These ought to be great mobile platforms if you need CUDA. But these laptops are all in on AI. If you think current macOS or Windows AI is unsatisfactory, read the Nvidia press release (granted, lots of marketing hyperbole, but they are all in on AI with these devices). They are marketing RTX Spark as "the personal AI computer." Another quote: “RTX Spark and NVIDIA OpenShell give Hermes users a powerful and secure environment for agents to run and work alongside you. You realize you’re buying a full-fledged assistant, not a typical laptop.” And let's hear from Microsoft: “Our goal is to deliver unmetered intelligence to every home and every desk with Windows,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. “RTX Spark marks a real breakthrough towards that vision.” Even if you can turn off a lot of AI, that could end up being a huge chore if you buy a laptop that is hyperoptimized and configured for AI right from the factory. AI aside, the GPU alone will ensure lesser battery life and likely a much bigger power brick than the MBP as well.

RTX Spark is powerful enough to run any piece of software in emulation and still feel native. For that matter, most software does that now with X elite systems.

I have been back and forth between all kinds of systems and I am going to be getting the A14 with 32gb of ram. It's WAAAAY faster than my current laptop, plus lighter, with a better display, build quality, and overall feel. Getting the wifey the 16gb version.

 

[hajime]

I don't think RTX Spark is going to solve many of your challenges. It is an ARM system (MediaTek+Nvidia) so you won't have Windows/x86 binary compatibility and will need to run Win11ARM for CAD or other Windows dependent apps just like you do with the MBP. These ought to be great mobile platforms if you need CUDA. But these laptops are all in on AI. If you think current macOS or Windows AI is unsatisfactory, read the Nvidia press release (granted, lots of marketing hyperbole, but they are all in on AI with these devices). They are marketing RTX Spark as "the personal AI computer." Another quote: “RTX Spark and NVIDIA OpenShell give Hermes users a powerful and secure environment for agents to run and work alongside you. You realize you’re buying a full-fledged assistant, not a typical laptop.” And let's hear from Microsoft: “Our goal is to deliver unmetered intelligence to every home and every desk with Windows,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. “RTX Spark marks a real breakthrough towards that vision.” Even if you can turn off a lot of AI, that could end up being a huge chore if you buy a laptop that is hyperoptimized and configured for AI right from the factory. AI aside, the GPU alone will ensure lesser battery life and likely a much bigger power brick than the MBP as well.

I am aware of that. What about the case that people use CUDA for software development but don’t want AI programs (written by others that the users have no full control of) to be in the computer? Certainly I want more CUDA cores but don’t want those programs like OpenClaw on my computer.

Most of the laptops we have been talking here have only 8GB VRAM. Mostly using RTX5050-5060. Upgrading the GPU to get 16 or more VRAM and CUDA cores increases the total cost significantly.

I am not a gamer but I may occasionally play games if the fans are not too noisy. I think in some review videos, people said 8GB VRAM is not sufficient for playing games at ultra resolution. Is that true?

 

[macfacts]

I chose the MacBook Pro 16" mainly for the secured OS, no fan noise and nice screen.

windows arm laptops are silent, and if you update the OS it is secure. Some people don't update the OS because they pirated the OS.

 

[Kriss_De_Valnor]

I am not a gamer but I may occasionally play games if the fans are not too noisy. I think in some review videos, people said 8GB VRAM is not sufficient for playing games at ultra resolution. Is that true?

Yes it is very true. Today the minimum is 12GB, you will get it with RTX 5070Ti in laptops. But incoming big games like Witcher 4 will easily require 16GB to play in 1440p with Ultra settings.

A high end ray tracing demo like Half-Life 2 RTX would consume 16GB of VRAM when you go Ultra in settings.

Basically all 8GB GPUs are obsolete in serious gaming in 2026. But for work it is a different story. My old RTX 3070 is still more than good while I work in DxO PhotoLab.

 

[diamond.g]

Yes it is very true. Today the minimum is 12GB, you will get it with RTX 5070Ti in laptops. But incoming big games like Witcher 4 will easily require 16GB to play in 1440p with Ultra settings.

A high end ray tracing demo like Half-Life 2 RTX would consume 16GB of VRAM when you go Ultra in settings.

Basically all 8GB GPUs are obsolete in serious gaming in 2026. But for work it is a different story. My old RTX 3070 is still more than good while I work in DxO PhotoLab.

GPU's that have 8GB of VRAM are not typically ones you are maxing out graphics settings with anyways. So having 8GB for gaming isn't a detriment. For stuff like AI work on the other hand, it could be a problem.

 

[pshufd]

GPU's that have 8GB of VRAM are not typically ones you are maxing out graphics settings with anyways. So having 8GB for gaming isn't a detriment. For stuff like AI work on the other hand, it could be a problem.

I was running a GTX 1050 Ti and am now running a GTX 1660 Ti. I think that it has 6 GB of VRAM but I don't game. The benefit of the 1660 over the 1050 is that it uses 12 watts instead of 35. One of the nice things about games requiring more VRAM or horsepower is that it makes more old GPUs more accessible on the used market.

 

[Kriss_De_Valnor]

GPU's that have 8GB of VRAM are not typically ones you are maxing out graphics settings with anyways. So having 8GB for gaming isn't a detriment. For stuff like AI work on the other hand, it could be a problem.

There are games you can max out with 8GB of VRAM. I play Diablo 2 Resurrected in 1440p in Ultra and my RTX 3070 uses about 6GB of VRAM. But it is a 2D game. Again, for serious AAA gaming 8GB of VRAM is not enough in these days. AI is an another thing. If a model fits in VRAM it is the fastest scenario, if not - a unified memory seems to be a better option.

 

[pshufd]

Would the new Strix Point Halo be enough for gaming and AI? I saw several reviews yesterday talking about it competing with the nVidia Spark for one-third to one-half the price.

 

[diamond.g]

Would the new Strix Point Halo be enough for gaming and AI? I saw several reviews yesterday talking about it competing with the nVidia Spark for one-third to one-half the price.

If you are not expecting miracles yeah it would be fine.

 

[hajime]

I think a problem with Windows laptops is that they ship with 8GB VRAM and if we want to upgrade the GPU to have 16GB, the cost goes up significantly like 2-3 times of the configuration with 8GB.