Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG). 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 ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

efficient multitasking capabilities

solid build quality

responsive fingerprint sensor

good value pricing

adequate port selection

average battery life

dim display brightness

mediocre speaker quality

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 31.35 cm x 22.4 cm x 1.69 cm
Weight 1.69 kg 1.38 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black Dual tone arctic grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, Low Blue Light technology
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 (13th Gen) 1335U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.9 GHz 4.6 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 10-core
Cache 6 MB 12 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 5200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 5200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots 1 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Advanced Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Input: noise-cancellation technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9260 - M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation 4G -
Technology LTE -
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life Up to 12 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
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 ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad, precision glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (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 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
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 ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included - Microsoft Office (Trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 IRL (21KG)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810H tested, Rapid Charge Pro, self-healing BIOS
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, FSC, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Software Solution), TCO Certified 9.0
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver -
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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