ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB
Core i7-1355U · 16GB · 2023
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
M5 Max · 16.2″ XDR · Up to 128 GB unified
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB lands at 84 and MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) at 98. That puts MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) ahead by 14 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB if…
- ✓Current-gen silicon
- ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
- ✓Manufacturer warranty
Pick MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) if…
- ✓~18% perf-per-watt uplift over M4 Max
- ✓570 GB/s memory bandwidth
- ✓New Wi-Fi 7 + TB5
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB | MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i7-1355U | — |
| RAM | 16GB | ▲ Up to 128 GB unified |
| Release year | 2023 | — |
| Chip | — | Apple M5 Max (16C CPU / 40C GPU) |
| Storage | — | Up to 8 TB SSD |
| Display | — | 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR, 120Hz |
| Weight | — | 2.14 kg |
| Battery | — | 100 Wh |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
- −Battery varies by config
- −Some SKUs heavy
- −RAM often soldered
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
- +~18% perf-per-watt uplift over M4 Max
- +570 GB/s memory bandwidth
- +New Wi-Fi 7 + TB5
- −Premium pricing unchanged
- −Limited gaming library
- −Ports unchanged
FAQ: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB vs MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Which is better, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)? +
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 14. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB worth the price? +
At $1,899, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in portability.
Is MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) worth the price? +
At $3,499, MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.