In the bustling sphere of business laptops, Lenovo has consistently been at the forefront, offering devices that amalgamate performance, durability, and portability. Among its standout offerings, the Lenovo T14 and T480s have generated considerable buzz. These models have piqued the interest of tech enthusiasts, business professionals, and IT decision-makers alike. But how do they stack up against each other? This post dives deep into their key differences, performance benchmarks, and overall value for money to help you make an informed decision.
Review Overview
Lenovo’s ThinkPad series has always been about bridging robust performance with the needs of business-oriented users. The T14 and T480s are no exceptions. They both carry the ThinkPad legacy forward but in slightly different directions. The T14 is positioned as a newer iteration, promising enhanced features and specs, whereas the T480s, while a bit older, is celebrated for its portability and reliability.
Key Differences
At first glance, the two might seem indistinguishable to the untrained eye, thanks to their classic ThinkPad aesthetics. However, the devil is in the details:
- Design Materials: The T480s is known for its lightweight design, owing to its carbon-fiber reinforced chassis. The T14, while still portable, opts for a mix of magnesium alloy and polyphenylene sulhide, possibly making it a tad more durable.
- Processor Options: The T14 steps up the game with 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processing options, providing a noticeable performance boost over the T480s’s 8th Gen processors.
Value for Money
When it comes to selecting between these two, your decision may largely hinge on the value for money. The T14, being newer, boasts improved specs that might be more future-proof, but this also comes at a typically higher price point. On the other hand, the T480s offers solid performance that can still meet many professional needs, potentially representing a better value proposition, especially if you can secure it at a discounted price.
Tests and Specifications Deep-Dive
Case
Both models inherit Lenovo’s commitment to durability. However, with its reinforced design and newer materials, the T14 edges out slightly ahead in terms of robustness.
Display
The T14 offers a brighter display option up to 500 nits compared to the maximum 300 nits on the T480s. Both support HDR, but the T14’s display brings out richer colors and deeper contrasts.
Battery
Battery Life
- On Programming/Coding: The T14 offers around 10 hours, and the T480s closely matches this performance.
- Web Browsing: A slight edge is given to the T480s, offering up to an hour more.
- Full Brightness and CPU Intensive Tasks: The newer architecture of the T14 ensures better efficiency, leading to approximately an hour of additional battery life compared to the T480s.
CPU
Modern tasks demand more from CPUs. The T14’s 10th Gen Intel® processors provide a smooth experience across various tasks:
- Web Browsing: Both handle everyday browsing with ease, though the T14 provides a snappier experience with multiple tabs and heavier web apps.
- Photo and Video Editing: The improved integrated graphics and processing power of the T14 translate to quicker rendering times and smoother edits.
- Exporting 4K/8K Videos: Here, the T14’s advanced CPU significantly cuts down on export times.
Benchmarks
When subjected to standard industry benchmarks, the T14 consistently outperforms the T480s:
- 3DMark: Demonstrates the superior graphical capabilities of the T14, making it more suitable for light gaming or graphics-intensive tasks.
- Cinebench: Reflects the T14’s stronger CPU performance.
- UserBenchmark: Overall scores favor the T14 across CPU, GPU, and SSD speed tests.
Connectivity
Both models offer abundant connectivity options, yet the T14 features newer standards and Thunderbolt 3 ports, enhancing the range and speed of connected devices.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between the Lenovo T14 and T480s boils down to your specific needs and budget:
- If cutting-edge performance, enhanced features, and a bit of future-proofing are your priorities, the T14 is undoubtedly the better choice.
- For those looking for solid performance with excellent value, particularly within a tighter budget, the T480s will not disappoint.
Both models stand out as reliable, high-performing machines that serve the evolving needs of today’s professionals, marking yet another win for Lenovo’s storied ThinkPad line.
Lenovo T14 vs. T480s specs
Here’s a detailed comparison of the specifications for the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and the ThinkPad T480s. Both models are part of Lenovo’s well-regarded ThinkPad T-series, known for its durability, reliability, and performance, catering especially to business users:
| Specification | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 PRO | Up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| Memory | Up to 32GB DDR4 | Up to 24GB DDR4 |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe SSD | Up to 1TB PCIe SSD |
| Display | 14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) or UHD (3840 x 2160) | 14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) or WQHD (2560 x 1440) |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel UHD or AMD Radeon | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Ports | 2 x USB 3.2, 2 x USB-C, 1 x HDMI, MicroSD reader | 2 x USB 3.1, 1 x USB-C, 1 x Thunderbolt 3, HDMI |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Battery Life | Up to 16.5 hours | Up to 15.6 hours |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro (upgradeable to Windows 11) | Windows 10 Pro |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 329mm x 227mm x 17.9mm | 331mm x 226.8mm x 18.45mm |
| Weight | Starting at 3.23 lbs (1.46 kg) | Starting at 2.9 lbs (1.32 kg) |
The ThinkPad T14 is a newer model and typically features more up-to-date hardware, such as 10th-generation Intel processors or AMD Ryzen options, and better wireless technology with Wi-Fi 6 support. It also offers slightly more memory capacity. In contrast, the T480s, while older, is known for its light weight and compact design, and it has Thunderbolt 3 support, which might be an important feature for some users depending on their specific needs for connectivity and peripheral attachment. Both models maintain the classic ThinkPad traits of robust build quality and excellent keyboard ergonomics.
