Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8). 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 16p G4 IRH (21J8) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful amd processor

high-resolution display

solid build quality

good thermal management

decent battery life

heavier than competitors

limited port selection

higher price point

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
83 % - Design
86 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 35.46 cm x 25.5 cm x 1.99 cm
Weight 1.69 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black Dual tone storm grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, Delta E<2 calibration, Eyesafe technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration, Dolby Vision, Smart sense panel, ±89° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 13700H / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.9 GHz 5 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 14-core
Cache 6 MB 24 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 32 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 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 8 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - NVIDIA Resizable BAR, Advanced Optimus, Dynamic Boost 2.0, Direct X 12 Ultimate, NVIDIA DLSS 3
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 Two tweeters, two woofers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306-CG
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Advanced Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Output: harman/kardon stereo speakers, Smart Amplifier (AMP); Input: noise-cancellation technology
VR Ready - Yes
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9260 - M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation 4G -
Technology LTE -
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 80 Wh
Battery Life Up to 12 hours Up to 18 hours
Battery Run Time - Local video (1080p) playback time (150 nits): up to 18 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 230 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad, precision glass touchpad, smart sense keyboard backlight, SMB Service hot key
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) 1 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
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
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 (8K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
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 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options - Ambient light sensor
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, LA2-Q AI performance chip
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, FSC, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution), TCO Certified 9.0, Low-VOC
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver -
Carbon Footprint - 402 kg carbon emissions (EU)
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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