Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

good security features

decent battery life

solid performance

average display quality

heavier design

limited graphics power

no thunderbolt support

Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

slim, lightweight design

sharp full HD display

solid overall performance

fast SSD storage

decent battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average sound quality

pricier than competitors

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
72 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 32.07 cm x 22.28 cm x 1.59 cm
Weight 1.69 kg 1.55 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black Silver
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8250U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.9 GHz 3.4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 6 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 2400 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 1
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung 128 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Video Memory - 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Advanced Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium
Audio Features - Output: JBL
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9260 - M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features - Single stream (1x1)
WWAN
Generation 4G -
Technology LTE -
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 55 Wh
Battery Life Up to 12 hours Up to 14 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Dock
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.0 (Always On)
USB 3.0
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1/Thunderbolt 3/DisplayPort 1.2a (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included - Lenovo Settings, McAfee LiveSafe (30 days trial), Lenovo ID, Lenovo App Explorer
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver -
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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