so with WFH, the company is providing a new laptop (MacBook Pro 16") OR equivalent by claim if we choose our own machine.

Most important to me are :

1. Display
2. Speaker
3. Battery Life
4. Light Weight

Reason I didn't jump on the MBP is due to MacOS which I have never used before. Most of our applications are web-based anyway, but personally I would prefer to continue using Windows. As there's currently no bootcamp for M1, it's a compromise that I'm not willing to make yet.

I was thinking of the Thinkpad X1 Gen 9, but past experience with Thinkpad is the very bloated software package (ThinkVantage etc etc).

Any suggestions ?

I would suggest you to try out MBP though, as you said most of the applications you use are web-based anyway, smaller learning curve.

I'm using a Gen 6 X1 Carbon, very satisfied with its exterior and specs.

My only complaint would be the OS though.

Windows being Windows, it has hiccups from time-to-time such as inaccurate mousepad, insensitive fingerprint scanner, sudden freeze/ lag, unstable connection with Type C expansion hub etc.
The laptop had also for a few times, unable to wake from sleep/hibernate, thank god its hard reset button saved the days.

The only reason I have not replaced it with MBP yet is because I can hook it to Razer Core for some gaming lol.

Macbook Pro 16" is using Intel, not M1. There is bootcamp support.

ThinkPad with W10 very minimal bloatware. Myself is a ThinkPad collector and restorer for about 2 years.

sorry didn't make it clear from my 1st post that we're given 6 months (basically till end of the year) to buy a new machine. So I was looking at the yet to be released 'new' MBP

I'm provided with a Thinkpad x250 on WM10 since we used to attend off-site meetings alot. Definitely very survivable, but not great for movies since WFH

I look forward to the new MBP too. Few more days.

X250 is light but comes with a crappy HD display and a lousy short built-in battery. The trackpad with separate left and right buttons is a godsend.

mine has a 1920 x 1080 screen + 9 cell battery. I use the "nipple" rather than trackpad.

apart from showing it's age (and gets hot easily), really annoyed how I need to use VB-Audio to share system sounds in Google Meet. This small issue has caused me to re-think (pun intended) on getting another Thinkpad.

Lucky yours is BTO top spec model.