In the world of business laptops, Lenovo ThinkPads have long been the gold standard. Among the popular choices are the ThinkPad T490 and T490s, both offering robust performance in sleek designs. But which one should you choose? This comprehensive review will help tech enthusiasts, laptop shoppers, and business professionals make an informed decision.
Review Overview
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 and T490s are designed to cater to the needs of professionals who require reliability, performance, and portability. Both models come with impressive specifications, but they have subtle differences that can significantly impact user experience. In this post, we will dissect these differences, covering aspects like the case, display, battery life, CPU performance, graphics card, RAM and storage, sound quality, and connectivity. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which ThinkPad is right for you.
Key Differences
Case
The case of a laptop can greatly influence its portability and durability, two factors that are crucial for business professionals.
The ThinkPad T490 comes in a robust chassis made primarily of plastic with some metal reinforcements. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, making it a reliable choice for those constantly on the move. The T490 weighs in at around 3.4 pounds, which is fairly standard for a laptop in its class.
On the other hand, the T490s offers a more premium feel with its magnesium alloy and carbon fiber construction. This material not only adds to its durability but also makes it lighter, weighing around 2.8 pounds. If you prioritize portability and a more premium build, the T490s takes the edge here.
Display
A good display is essential for both productivity and entertainment, and both models offer some compelling options.
The T490 features a 14-inch display with various resolution options, including Full HD (1920×1080) and WQHD (2560×1440). The higher resolution WQHD option is particularly impressive, offering vibrant colors and sharp details, ideal for tasks that require high visual clarity.
Similarly, the T490s also comes with a 14-inch display and offers the same resolution options. However, the T490s has an additional Low Power Full HD option, which is designed to extend battery life without compromising on display quality. If battery life is a significant concern for you, the T490s could be the better choice.
Battery
Battery Life on Programming/Coding
When it comes to battery life, both models perform admirably, but there are some differences worth noting.
The T490 offers good battery life for programming and coding tasks, typically lasting around 8-10 hours on a full charge. This makes it suitable for a full day of work without needing to recharge frequently.
The T490s, with its Low Power Full HD display option, can extend battery life even further, often reaching up to 12 hours under similar conditions. For developers and coders who spend long hours on their laptops, the T490s offers a noticeable advantage.
Battery Life on Web Browsing
Web browsing is a common task, and the battery performance during this activity can be crucial for many users.
The T490 generally provides around 7-9 hours of battery life when used primarily for web browsing. This is sufficient for most daily browsing needs.
In contrast, the T490s excels in this area, offering up to 11 hours of web browsing time. If you find yourself frequently on the web, the T490s will give you that extra bit of longevity to get through your day.
Battery Life on Full Brightness and CPU Intensive Tasks
For those who push their laptops to the limit with CPU-intensive tasks and full brightness settings, battery life becomes even more critical.
The T490, under such conditions, can last around 5-6 hours, which is respectable given the demands of these tasks.
The T490s, again benefiting from its Low Power display option, can stretch to 7-8 hours even under heavy use. If you’re someone who often runs demanding applications or prefers working at full brightness, the T490s provides that extra cushion.
CPU
CPU Performance Comparisons
Both the T490 and T490s come equipped with Intel’s 8th generation Core i5 or i7 processors, ensuring strong performance for a range of tasks. However, there are slight differences in their thermal designs that can affect performance.
The T490 tends to have a slightly better thermal design, allowing it to maintain higher clock speeds for more extended periods. This translates to marginally better performance in CPU-heavy tasks like compiling code or running complex calculations.
Web Browsing Performance
For web browsing, both models handle tasks effortlessly. The differences here are negligible, as both laptops can manage multiple tabs and web applications without breaking a sweat.
Photo and Video Editing
When it comes to photo and video editing, the performance differences become more evident.
The T490, with its robust thermal design, can handle editing tasks well, especially when paired with the higher resolution WQHD display. It offers smooth performance for tools like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
The T490s, while still capable, may experience slight throttling during prolonged editing sessions due to its more compact design. However, for occasional editing tasks, it remains a strong contender.
Exporting 4K/8K Videos
Rendering and exporting high-resolution videos is one of the most demanding tasks for any laptop.
The T490, with its efficient cooling system, handles 4K video exports with relative ease, making it a reliable choice for content creators.
The T490s, while still proficient, might take slightly longer to export the same videos due to its thermal constraints. For those who frequently work with high-resolution video content, the T490’s performance edge could be significant.
Benchmarks
3D Marks
Benchmarks provide a clear picture of a laptop’s performance under various conditions, and both the T490 and T490s deliver solid results.
In 3D Mark tests, the T490 generally scores a bit higher, thanks to its superior cooling and ability to maintain higher clock speeds for extended periods.
Cinebench
Cinebench tests further validate the performance differences between the two models.
The T490 often achieves higher scores in multi-core tests, highlighting its strength in handling parallel processing tasks. This makes it a better choice for users who run CPU-intensive applications regularly.
Userbenchmark
Userbenchmark scores also reflect the T490’s advantage in sustained performance, especially in tasks that require consistent processing power over long durations.
Graphics Card
Both models come with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620, which is sufficient for general productivity tasks and light gaming. However, neither is designed for heavy gaming or graphics-intensive applications.
For users who need a dedicated GPU for more demanding graphical tasks, considering a different model or an external GPU solution might be necessary.
RAM and Storage
Both the T490 and T490s offer configurations with up to 32GB of RAM and various SSD storage options, ranging from 256GB to 1TB. This ensures that both models can handle multitasking and large file storage needs efficiently.
However, it’s worth noting that the RAM in the T490s is soldered onto the motherboard, making future upgrades impossible. In contrast, the T490 allows for RAM upgrades, providing more flexibility for future-proofing your device.
Sound
Sound quality is an often-overlooked aspect of laptops, but it’s essential for multimedia consumption and video conferencing.
The T490 delivers clear and robust audio, thanks to its dual speakers and Dolby Audio Premium technology. It’s more than adequate for video calls, watching movies, or even listening to music.
The T490s, with its slightly thinner profile, still manages to deliver good sound quality, but it doesn’t quite match the fullness of the T490’s audio. If sound quality is a priority, the T490 holds a slight advantage.
Connectivity
Connectivity options are crucial for professionals who rely on various peripherals and networking options.
Both models come equipped with a similar array of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and an audio jack. They also support Thunderbolt 3, providing high-speed data transfer and connectivity options.
However, the T490s includes an additional microSD card reader, which can be handy for photographers and videographers. Both models offer excellent connectivity, but the T490s provides a bit more versatility.
Conclusion
In the battle of T490 vs. T490s, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities.
If you value portability, a premium build, and longer battery life, the T490s is an excellent choice. Its lightweight design and extended battery make it ideal for professionals on the go.
On the other hand, if you need a laptop with better thermal performance, upgradeable RAM, and slightly better sound quality, the T490 is the way to go. It’s a robust workhorse that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
Whichever model you choose, both the T490 and T490s are stellar options for tech enthusiasts, laptop shoppers, and business professionals. Each offers a unique set of features and benefits that cater to different user needs.
Ready to take the next step? Explore more about the Lenovo ThinkPad series and find the perfect laptop for your professional needs.
Here’s a detailed comparison table for the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 and T490s:
| Feature | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Lenovo ThinkPad T490s |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8265U / i7-8565U (8th Gen) | Intel Core i5-8265U / i7-8565U (8th Gen) |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB / 32GB DDR4 (Upgradable) | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR3 (Soldered, Non-upgradable) |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 / Optional NVIDIA GeForce MX250 | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, WQHD (2560 x 1440) or UHD (3840 x 2160) | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, WQHD (2560 x 1440) or UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Battery | 50 WHr (Internal, Removable) | 57 WHr (Integrated, Non-removable) |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro |
| Weight | Approx. 1.55 kg (3.42 lbs) | Approx. 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs) |
| Ports | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C (one with Thunderbolt 3), HDMI 1.4b, RJ-45 Ethernet, MicroSD Card Reader | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C (one with Thunderbolt 3), HDMI 1.4b, MicroSD Card Reader |
| Keyboard | Spill-resistant, Backlit Keyboard | Spill-resistant, Backlit Keyboard |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Webcam | 720p HD Camera with ThinkShutter Privacy Cover | 720p HD Camera with ThinkShutter Privacy Cover |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers with Dolby Audio | Stereo Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium |
| Security Features | dTPM 2.0, Fingerprint Reader, Smart Card Reader, Optional IR Camera | dTPM 2.0, Fingerprint Reader, IR Camera with Windows Hello |
| Price Range | Starts around $1,300 | Starts around $1,500 |
