Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator). 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

MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful graphics performance

slim, stylish design

high-resolution display

fast processing speed

lightweight portability

high price point

average battery life

limited port selection

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) and MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) vs. MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 35.77 cm x 24.77 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.69 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS -
Colour Black Grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 15.6"
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 -
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 45% 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle MSI Matrix Display, MSI True Color Technology 2.0
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (9th Gen) 9750H / 2.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.9 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 6-core
Cache 6 MB 12 MB
64-bit Computing Yes Yes
Chipset - Mobile Intel HM370
Features Integrated memory controller Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 2666 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz -
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Video Memory - 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - Max-Q design
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Windows Hello
Frame Rate - 30 frames per second
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Advanced Audio -
Audio Features - MSI Audio Boost 2, ESS SABRE HiFi audio DAC technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9260 - M.2 Card Intel Wireless-AC 9560
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Qualcomm QCA8171
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation 4G -
Technology LTE -
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 82 Wh
Battery Life Up to 12 hours Up to 8 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 65 Watt 180 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad White LED backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
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
LAN
HDMI
Microphone input
Headphone output
Mini DisplayPort
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort Alt Mode)
USB 3.2 Gen 2
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro
Software Included - MSI Creator Center
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) MSI P65 9SE (879DR Creator)
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 MIL-STD-810G tested, Cooler Boost Trinity+ technology
Compliant Standards RoHS -
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver -
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
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