Let’s see ThinkPad T14 vs. T490: Which Is Best? The discussion of Lenovo T14 vs. Lenovo T490 frequently concerns those choosing a Lenovo ThinkPad. In some instances, the model lacking an NVIDIA chip outperforms the technically superior ThinkPad T490, which raises the rating of the device as a whole.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 makes a great business laptop without an NVIDIA GPU or with one. One advantage of the ThinkPad T14 over the ThinkPad T490 with a dedicated GPU is its long battery life.
Also, the former has a cooler operating temperature than the latter and does not experience the same grating speaker noise that afflicted our initial test unit. We reviewed the two below to help you decide which device is the best overall.
ThinkPad T14
A high-performance laptop that can adjust to the user’s demands is the Lenovo ThinkPad T14. The hardware and processor’s strength will handle whatever task is thrown at it. For every application, the 8 GB of RAM it has is more than adequate.
All Microsoft Office products can be utilized on the Lenovo ThinkPad notebook because Windows 10 is built into it. The excellent keyboard on the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 makes typing fast and accurate.
You may watch films and movies on its clear and bright 1366 × 768 resolution display screen. More importantly, using this device to store your information saves your storage space thanks to its 128 GB SSD disc.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 boasts a long battery life and offers adequate power. Up to 5 hours can pass before the Li-ion battery needs to be recharged. Everyone who requires a powerful laptop, whether a worker or student, should get a Lenovo ThinkPad.
Any software, including Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word, will run well on its 8 GB RAM. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14’s portability and light weight make it ideal for travel. This gadget includes the native Netflix software and the Windows 10 operating system for entertainment.
Key Specifications
- Display: 14inch
- RAM: 16GB
- Intel Core i5-10210U Processor
- Intel UHD graphics card
- Integrated performance
- Li-Ion battery
- Screen resolution: 1920*1200Pixels
- LED display type
- No touchscreen
Key Attributes
Design
The AMD-powered ThinkPad T14 has a short 128GB solid-state drive, 8GB memory, and a six-core Ryzen 5 Pro CPU. The upper limits for RAM and storage are 32GB and 1TB, respectively.
Thanks to the medium-thick screen bezels, a face-recognition webcam with a sliding Think Shutter can be placed above the screen, contradicting the trend of narrow edges. With Windows Hello, you have two options for avoiding passwords: the camera and the palm rest fingerprint reader.
The ThinkPad’s left edge features two USB 3.2 Type-C ports, one of which may accommodate the AC adapter, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, an HDMI video output, a headphone/microphone line, and a proprietary connector for an Ethernet dongle.
An always-on USB Type: A port connects a Smartcards reader to a Kensington cable-lockdown slot on the right side. The microSD card slot is in the back and is meant for semi-permanent habitation rather than frequent switching.
It is accessible only with a bent paper clip and shares a tray with an optional mobile broadband SIM card.
Performance
The Lenovo T14 has an Intel Core i7-8565U processor and 8 GB of RAM. Although it delivers a respectable performance, the Lenovo T490 is the true show-stealer. It has a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7-8565U processor and 16 GB of RAM.
The Lenovo T490 outperforms the Lenovo T14 in terms of performance. Those looking for a polished appearance will appreciate the Lenovo T14’s svelte design. Although it’s not as svelte as the Lenovo T14, the Lenovo T490 also has a professional appearance.
Display
The Lenovo T490 has a 15.6-inch display compared to the 14-inch display on the Lenovo T14. Thus, it is the obvious pick for a larger display. Images taken with the 720p webcam are notably soft-focus yet quite bright.
Although not incredibly loud, the sound from the bottom-mounted speakers is pleasant; while overlapping songs sound a little muddy, highs and lows are crystal clear. The ThinkPad T14’s keyboard is no exception to the legendary quality of ThinkPad keyboards, possibly best represented by the ThinkPad T series.
The backlit keyboard has two LED brightness settings, providing the best typing experience. Lenovo gets the arrangement exactly right, offering plenty of motion and satisfying tactile feedback.
The Fn and Ctrl keys are in opposite positions at the bottom left, but you can swap them using the Lenovo Vantage tool. The Lenovo display’s white backgrounds appear white rather than beige, and the contrast is good.
However, you can repeatedly press the F6 key to slightly increase the brightness. Other than that, the IPS screen is excellent, with fine focus, rich colours, and broad off-axis viewing angles.
Battery Life
The Lenovo T14 boasts a long battery life of up to 12 hours, which is noteworthy. The Lenovo T490’s battery life is likewise excellent, lasting up to 16 hours.
Pricing
The Lenovo T14 is smaller than the Lenovo T490 and is the more affordable option. Prices change over time, but the average cost of the ThinkPad T14 is $1129.
ThinkPad T490
One of the most significant business laptops currently available is the Lenovo ThinkPad T490. However, Lenovo sells the 14-inch device in various configurations, some of which include dedicated GPUs and others that do not.
The T490 is a 14-inch Ultrabook that is adaptable and strong and has undergone substantial improvements. The ThinkPad T490 is a sleek, portable computer with a striking 14-inch WQHD IPS display, powerful Intel Whiskey Lake processors, and an optional discrete GPU.
While others may be discouraged by the absence of an HDD option and a modular battery, Lenovo sent a ThinkPad T490 review device to Windows Central. It now offers a WQHD display with Dolby Vision HDR and brightness up to 500 nits, an upgraded NVIDIA MX250 dedicated graphics card, and options for the Whiskey Lake Intel processor (CPU).
Although the hot-swappable battery and hard-drive storage options are no longer available, it is also lighter, thinner, and has a smaller footprint than the T480. Although baseline models start at about $1,017, this specific model costs about $1,971.
Key Specifications
- 8th Gen processor Intel Core i7-8565U
- RAM: 16GB
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Display screen: 14-inches
- Display resolution: 2560*1440
- Backlit keyboard
- Battery: 50Wh
- Weight: 3.17 Pounds
Key Attributes
Design
The T490 is lighter, the WQHD version is the heaviest, and it starts at just 3.17 pounds. It is thinner at 0.70 inches and has a lower overall footprint. Although it doesn’t exactly have a glamorous appearance, it is unmistakably ThinkPad.
A dual-hinge system allows for around 180 degrees of movement, and the entire chassis is covered in black soft-touch paint, which, like other ThinkPads, attracts many smudges and fingerprints.
The ThinkPad T490 is a reliable laptop that has passed the standard MIL-STD 810G durability testing to demonstrate its sturdiness. The primary chassis flexes only slightly when the lid is shaken, and despite being extremely light, the container feels like it can withstand hammering.
Together with the dTPM 2.0 chip, the T490 has a Kensington lock slot, an optional Infrared camera mounted above the display, and a fingerprint reader integrated into the proper palm rest.
This summer, a Privacy Guard display option that limits viewing angles and prevents passersby from seeing what you’re working on is also anticipated. Although it’s not as svelte as the Lenovo T14, the Lenovo T490 also has a professional appearance.
Performance
The Lenovo T490 includes a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7-8565U processor and 16 GB of RAM. It outperforms the Lenovo T14 in terms of performance. The solitary fan will turn on now and then, but it never becomes audibly loud.
This model has an additional upgrade slot and 8GB of RAM soldered directly onto the circuit board. The Intel Core i5 and Core i7 CPU options slightly improve Drink Lake’s Performance.
It would help if you didn’t run into any issues unless you start doing more complex design and development work. A mobile workstation might be a good option in that situation.
Display
The display on the Lenovo T490 is 15.6 inches. The Lenovo T490 is the obvious pick for a larger display. That is the same 14-inch panel with Dolby Vision HDR and up to 500 nits of brightness utilized in the X1 Carbon series.
It costs an extra $191 over the FHD non-touch model, but it’s well worth it if you plan to do multimedia editing or light design work. In addition to the 1080p non-touch and touch alternatives mentioned, Lenovo also provides 1366×768 HD displays, probably only available for business purchases.
If you’re purchasing this laptop for yourself, consider starting with a smaller SSD and saving up for the stunning WQHD display instead of at least choosing an FHD display.
It uses the duplicate cupped keys as the T480, travel is just right, and it bottoms softly without feeling bouncy. The T490’s keyboard is excellent, as are the keyboards of ThinkPad in general.
Battery Life
Another feature of the Lenovo T490 is its remarkable battery life of up to 16 hours. The biggest change from the T480 is the elimination of the Bridge Battery system, which allowed a modular design for hot-swapping batteries in the field.
Before leaving, you could charge up a few extra batteries; then, when a battery is low, you could remove it and replace it with a fully charged one without turning the device off. In its place, a single 50Wh battery that provides six to seven hours of life per charge when conducting routine business has been installed.
This model has an additional upgrade slot and 8GB of RAM soldered directly onto the circuit board.
Pricing
The Lenovo T490 is more expensive than the Lenovo T14. However, the Lenovo T14 is the better option for price, as the cost changes with time.
ThinkPad T14 Vs T490: Comparison Table
Specifications ThinkPad T14 ThinkPad T490
Display 14 inches 14 inches
Screen resolution 1920*1200Pixels 2560*1440Pixels
Processor 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) Processor
RAM 16 GB 4 GB
Weight 29lbs. 3.23lbs.
SSD 1000GB 500GB
Battery capacity Li-Ion 50WHR
Cost $919.55 $1129
OS Windows 10Pro Windows 10Pro
Graphics Processor Integrated Intel UHD 620
RAM Type DDR4 DDR4
Conclusion
Both the Lenovo T14 and T490 are excellent laptops. The T490 is the ideal choice if you want the best performance, and the T14 is a great option if you’re seeking the best pricing. Whatever option you select, you’ll get a great laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lenovo T490s a good laptop?
Yes! The ThinkPad T490s occupies the sweet spot of Lenovo’s 14-inch line with a price closer to that of the heavier ThinkPad T490. Professionals will appreciate its exceptional value, portability, durability, and excellent ThinkPad keyboard.
Which Lenovo ThinkPad T series is best?
Top-of-the-line in terms of performance and design, the T-Series ThinkPad is a real workhorse for the office. These gadgets are ideal for hard-core productivity wherever you are because they are ultra-portable and robust.
Is ThinkPad T490s upgradable?
No! The motherboard’s soldered-in system memory cannot be upgraded.
What is the difference between the Lenovo T14 and Lenovo T490?
The Lenovo T490 has a 15.6-inch display compared to the 14-inch display on the Lenovo T14. Therefore, it is the best choice for those who need a larger display.
How much do ThinkPad T14 and T490 cost?
The cost of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is $919, and the cost of the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is $1129.
Lenovo T14 vs. Lenovo T490 – Which is Better Overall?
Your needs will determine whether you choose the Lenovo T14 or T490. The Lenovo T490 is a fantastic option for a powerful device with a sizable display, while the Lenovo T14 is suitable for a stylish and portable gadget.
How long does a Lenovo T490 battery last?
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 battery lasts up to 16 hours.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Vs. ThinkPad T490: Who’s The Winner?
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490, which has a full HD 1080p display and a more potent i7-8665U processor, is the better option. But by all means, opt for the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 if that’s what you desire.
