Lenovo ThinkPad T490 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T490 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T490 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

good security features

reliable performance

average display quality

limited graphics power

noisy under load

heavier than competitors

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T490 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
80 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T490 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) - 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight - 1.88 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour - Black paint
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 14" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio - 16:10
Image Brightness - 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features - Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8365U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.1 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 14-core
Cache 6 MB 24 MB
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type - DDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera - Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound - Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless - NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 170 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces Dock USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - German
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features - Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, GDPR RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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