Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9). 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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

powerful processor options

bright display

higher price point

limited graphics performance

no OLED option

heavier than competitors

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
86 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 31.75 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.69 cm
Weight 1.69 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre hybrid (top)
Colour Black Deep black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
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, on-cell touch technology
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7540U / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.9 GHz 4.9 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 6-core
Cache 6 MB L3 - 16 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5X SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 7500 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 1 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 AMD Radeon 740M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes
Resolution - 5 Megapixel
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, Discrete IR, Ultrasonic Human Presence Detection
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, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
WWAN
Generation 4G -
Technology LTE -
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN (on supplied adapter)
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter, Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet Adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
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%
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