Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3). 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 ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust connectivity options

supports fast charging

dedicated nvidia gpu

upgradeable ram and storage

solid build quality

average battery capacity

basic 250-nit display

limited cpu performance

no fingerprint reader

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
83 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm
Weight 1.69 kg 1.77 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
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 ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots 1 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
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 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
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: Dolby Voice, far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
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 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - 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 4G upgradable
Technology LTE -
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 12 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
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 ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
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 3.2 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) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Pro - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 4 (21H3)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card 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, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, 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 - Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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