Face Off: Lenovo ThinkPad T460s vs. ThinkPad X1 Yoga vs. ThinkPad Yoga 460
The venerable ThinkPad series has been slowly expanding while incorporating features to better appeal to workstation users (P50/P70), Ultrabook users (X1 Carbon series), tablet users (ThinkPad Tablet 10), and convertible/detachable users (ThinkPad Helix, X1 Yoga, Yoga 460). In this comparison, we want to see what the traditional and time-proven 14-inch T series Thinkpad can offer against the more versatile ThinkPad Yoga 460 and X1 Yoga. Does merging the business-centric ThinkPad with the consumer Yoga mean sacrificing performance and quality along the way?
We encourage users to check out our dedicated review pages below for more data and detailed analyses of each of the three models. This comparison is by no means a replacement, but a condensed aid for those on the fence.
Case
Each of the these three ThinkPads is made out of a combination of carbon fiber and magnesium and is certified under MIL-STD standards. Thus, they are all more tightly built and stronger than the average notebook or convertible aimed at general consumers. We find both the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 to be rigid machines with tight gaps between transitioning materials as expected from the ThinkPad series, so the workmanship of these models is not any worse than a traditional ThinkPad.
When comparing these three to each other, however, there's no question that the T460s is the more robust machine. Its torsional resistance around the palm rests is superior to both the the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 without being significantly thicker or even heavier. Meanwhile, we find the Yoga 460 to be the stronger convertible when compared to the X1 Yoga with less flexing and twisting. In turn, the model is slightly thicker, larger, and also several hundred grams heavier.
Ports in Comparison
Connectivity
Lenovo is understandably hesitant on incorporating Thunderbolt 3 onto its lineup of ThinkPads as its proprietary Docking Port and OneLink+ options already include a wide range of optional docks that cater specifically to business users. With that said, we would have appreciated at least one USB Type-C Gen. 1 or Gen. 2 port for added versatility.
Important differences between the T460s, X1 Yoga, and Yoga 460 are the SIM slots, OneLink+ port, and SmartCard reader. No single model includes all three and users may want to choose the SKU with the connectivity features that are most important to everyday workloads. The X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 each come with an active stylus.
ThinkPad T460s | ThinkPad X1 Yoga | ThinkPad Yoga 460 | |
USB | 3x USB 3.0 | 2x USB 3.0 | 3x USB 3.0 |
Video-out | 1x HDMI, 1x mDP | 1x HDMI, 1x mDP | 1x HDMI, 1x mDP |
Audio | Headphone jack | Headphone jack | Headphone jack |
Other | Gigabit RJ-45, SD reader, SmartCard reader, SIM slot, Docking Port, Kensington Lock | MicroSD reader, SIM slot, Stylus, Volume rocker, OneLink+, Kensington Lock | SD reader, Stylus, OneLink+, Kensington Lock |
Storage Bays | 1x M.2 | 1x M.2 | 1x 2.5-inch SATA III |
Input Devices
Lenovo offers a very consistent typing experience with its AccuType chiclet keyboard throughout its mainstay ThinkPad series. Essentially all of our editors agree that the AccuType keyboard offers one of the best typing experiences when compared to Ultrabooks or other small form factor notebooks due to the spacious concave keys, deeper travel, and satisfactory feedback when pressed. It's the same typing and trackpad experience between the three notebooks with Lift-n-Lock available on the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 for a more comfortable tablet mode.
Display
The T460s and X1 Yoga each have display options between 1080p FHD or 1440p WQHD. The X1 Yoga, however, is one of the first consumer notebooks to have OLED for massively improved colors, contrast ratio, and response times compared to standard IPS panels. Unfortunately, this nearly doubles the price of the notebook and the option remains out of range for most buyers.
The standard IPS panels between the three ThinkPads are sufficient for everyday use with some notable differences between them. In particular, the 1080p displays on the T460s and Yoga 460 are not as bright as the 1440p displays and have narrower color gamuts as well. All of our tested panels also suffer from pulse-width modulation with the exception of the T460s 1080p configuration, so users sensitive to onscreen flickering may want to stick with the 1080p option for the T460s.
ThinkPad T460s | ThinkPad T460s WQHD | ThinkPad X1 Yoga | ThinkPad X1 Yoga OLED | ThinkPad Yoga 460 | |
Size | 14-inch IPS | 14-inch IPS | 14-inch IPS | 14-inch OLED | 14-inch IPS |
Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | 1920 x 1080 |
Pixel Density | 157 PPI | 210 PPI | 210 PPI | 210 PPI | 157 PPI |
Panel ID | N140HCE-EAA | VVX14T058J02 | VVX14T058J10 | Samsung ATNA40JU01-0 | NV140FHM-N41 |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20F9003SGE | Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS | Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | |||||
Display P3 Coverage | 41.65 | 68.7 | 68.1 | 42.11 | |
sRGB Coverage | 61.6 | 98.1 | 97.2 | 63.3 | |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 43.14 | 70.4 | 70.2 | 43.51 | |
Response Times | |||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 42 ? | 35.6 ? | 1 ? | 38 ? | 33.2 ? |
Response Time Black / White * | 29.2 ? | 29.2 ? | 1 ? | 30.4 ? | 31.6 ? |
PWM Frequency | 220 ? | 240 ? | 219 ? | 220 ? | |
Screen | |||||
Brightness middle | 226 | 257 | 279 | 284.7 | 238 |
Brightness | 211 | 248 | 277 | 272 | 243 |
Brightness Distribution | 89 | 94 | 91 | 89 | 88 |
Black Level * | 0.22 | 0.26 | 0.383 | 0.28 | |
Contrast | 1027 | 988 | 743 | 850 | |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 6.44 | 4.59 | 5.15 | 5.24 | 4.91 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 17.18 | 9.72 | 8.28 | 11.22 | 10.28 |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 5.87 | 6.38 | 5.44 | 7.32 | 3.72 |
Gamma | 2.37 93% | 2.51 88% | 2.28 96% | 2.22 99% | 2.54 87% |
CCT | 6856 95% | 6238 104% | 5686 114% | 6277 104% | 7091 92% |
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 39.58 | 65 | 98 | 70.17 | 39.81 |
Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 61.15 | 98 | 100 | 94.68 | 62.85 |
Total Average (Program / Settings) |
* ... smaller is better
Performance
CPU Performance
Lenovo offers multiple ULV CPU options between the T460s, X1 Yoga, and Yoga 460 models, so our comparison below is only between the models we have on hand.
CineBench benchmarks show the T460s with the i7-6600U coming out ahead of the two other ThinkPads including the X1 Yoga with the same i7-6600U CPU. While the deltas are small, the consistency suggests that the T460s is able to maintain higher Turbo Boost clock rates than both the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 even when they are equipped with the same processor. Our stress test below with Prime95 shows the T460s running at slightly higher clock rates than both its peers.
As for serviceability, both the T460s and X1 Yoga are relatively easy to open with the T460s offering the most expandability options as expected from a T series ThinkPad. The Yoga 460 includes tighter latches around its edges and is comparatively more difficult to service.
See our dedicated CPU pages on the Core i5-6200U, i7-6500U, and i7-6600U for more benchmarks and comparisons.
ThinkPad T460s | ThinkPad X1 Yoga | ThinkPad Yoga 460 | |
CPU | 2.3 GHz Core i5-6200U;2.6 GHz i7-6600U | 2.5 GHz Core i7-6500U/2.6 GHz i7-6600U | 2.3 GHz Core i5-6200U |
TDP | 15 W | 15 W | 15 W |
RAM | 4 GB DDR4-2133 soldered, Single-Channel, 1x SODIMM | 8 GB DDR3 soldered, Dual-Channel | 8 GB DDR3, Single-Channel, 1x SODIMM |
GPU | HD Graphics 520 | HD Graphics 520 | HD Graphics 520 |
Cinebench R10 | |
Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE |
wPrime 2.10 | |
1024m (sort by value) | |
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS | |
32m (sort by value) | |
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS |
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - 32M (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS |
3DMark | |
1280x720 offscreen Ice Storm Unlimited Physics (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Physics (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Physics (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS | |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
1920x1080 Fire Strike Physics (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE |
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 | |
Pass 1 (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Pass 2 (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE |
* ... smaller is better
GPU Performance
The same integrated HD Graphics 520 GPU can be found on each configuration. Its performance scales accordingly to the CPU, so the faster processor should theoretically have the faster HD Graphics 520 GPU. 3DMark and CineBench benchmarks show this to be the case as our T460s with the i7-6600U edges out all other models. The Yoga 460 and its slower i5-6200U is again slower by 15 to 20 percent when compared to the i7-6600U in the T460s. Nonetheless, most modern 3D titles are unplayable with integrated Intel HD Graphics at the native 1080p or 1440p resolution.
See our dedicated GPU page on the HD Graphics 520 for additional benchmarks and comparisons.
3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS | |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE |
Cinebench R15 - OpenGL 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS | |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE |
3DMark | |
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
3840x2160 Fire Strike Ultra Graphics (sort by value) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE |
Stress Test
To test system stability, we run both Prime95 and FurMark to simulate maximum stress. These unrealistic conditions do not represent daily workloads, but are instead meant to put both the CPU and GPU at 100 percent capacity.
The T460s outperforms both of its peers when under stress with higher stable clock rates and even lower core operating temperatures. Meanwhile, both the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 experience more severe throttling with stable clock rates at almost half that of the T460s. A contributing factor to the performance discrepancies when under extreme loads may be due to the configurable TDP (cTDP) of the T460s where its processor can draw as much as 25 W compared to just 15 W on the other two ThinkPad models.
ThinkPad T460s | ThinkPad X1 Yoga | ThinkPad Yoga 460 | |
Processor | Core i7-6600U | Core i7-6500U | Core i5-6200U |
Rated GPU Core Clock (MHz) | 300 - 1050 | 300 - 1050 | 300 - 1000 |
Stable GPU Core Clock on FurMark (MHz) | 950 | 850 | 950 |
Rated CPU Core Clock (GHz) | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.3 |
Stable CPU Core Clock on Prime95 (GHz) | 2.7 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
Average Core temperature | 68 C | 73 C | 74 C |
Emissions & Energy
System Noise & Temperature
All three notebooks are essentially silent when idling or under very low loads. The Yoga 460 is the quietest at just over 31 dB(A) under average loads to be just barely audible when typing or working in the office. The two systems with the faster Core i7-6600U CPU are the loudest under high loads at an audible 33 dB(A) up to 39 dB(A) when subjected to extreme stress. Otherwise, all three models are never uncomfortably loud during regular use and their fans do not frequently pulsate.
Surface temperatures are relatively low on our ThinkPad units even when under extreme processing stress. The internal cooling components do a good job at concentrating waste heat to only small portions of the notebook while the rest of the surfaces remain cooler. With that said, both the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 have much warmer hot spots at well over 45 C whereas the T460s is in the lower 40 C range. The lower core operating temperatures and louder fan noise of the T460s compared to the X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 could be contributing factors to its slightly cooler hot spot.
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE | Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 | Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Noise | ||||
off / environment * | 29.2 | 28.8 | 28.9 | 28.9 |
Idle Minimum * | 29.2 | 28.8 | 28.9 | 28.9 |
Idle Average * | 29.2 | 28.8 | 28.9 | 28.9 |
Idle Maximum * | 29.2 | 28.8 | 28.9 | 28.9 |
Load Average * | 33.7 | 35.2 | 35.3 | 31.1 |
Load Maximum * | 38.5 | 35.2 | 38.9 | 32.5 |
* ... smaller is better
Power Consumption
The Yoga 460 and standard ThinkPad X1 Yoga are noticeably less demanding than the ThinkPad T460s and the ThinkPad X1 Yoga OLED. This correlates with their respective processors as the T460s and ThinkPad X1 Yoga OLED are each sporting the more powerful i7-6600U. Interestingly, the T460s draws more power when under average processing loads likely due to its ability to maintain higher Turbo Boost speeds.
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE HD Graphics 520, 6600U, Samsung SSD SM951a 512GB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe (MZVKV512) | Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Samsung SSD PM871 MZNLN512HCJH | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 HD Graphics 520, 6600U, Samsung SSD PM961 1TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe (MZSLW1T0) | Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE HD Graphics 520, 6200U, Liteonit LCH-256V2S | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Power Consumption | ||||
Idle Minimum * | 3.8 | 6.82 | 4.7 | 3.6 |
Idle Average * | 7.1 | 8.21 | 8.6 | 6.9 |
Idle Maximum * | 7.8 | 17.55 | 12.2 | 7.6 |
Load Average * | 36.3 | 28.81 | 29.7 | 28 |
Load Maximum * | 46 | 34.07 | 50.5 | 34.2 |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Life
The battery modules are integrated and non-removable on the Lenovo notebooks with capacities of around 50 Wh each. Users can expect runtimes of just over 5 hours under WLAN conditions on the T460s and X1 Yoga while the Yoga 460 can last for significantly longer at over 7.5 hours.
Secondary external battery packs from Lenovo are supported via docking ports for even longer runtimes if needed.
Lenovo ThinkPad T460s-20FA003GGE 49 Wh | Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 20FQ-000QUS 52 Wh | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga-20FRS1VS00 52 Wh | Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460-20EM000QGE 53 Wh | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Runtime | ||||
Reader / Idle | 833 | 922 | 824 | 674 |
WiFi v1.3 | 340 | 356 | 315 | 458 |
Load | 62 | 120 | 132 | 142 |
Verdict
Moving from a traditional T460s ThinkPad to a Yoga-ized version will result in a few cut corners regarding case rigidity and performance. The X1 Yoga and Yoga 460 are more likely to throttle and run at higher temperatures than the T460s despite not being any thinner or lighter than the T460s. Beyond this, however, the systems are still strikingly similar. The matte screens are not any worse on the convertibles than the T460s, their AccuType keyboards are identical, and the Yoga 460 sports quieter fans and longer runtimes than both the T460s and the X1 Yoga.
The sturdier T460s may be the better option for users who want every drop of performance they can get from the ULV CPU. If battery life, tablet mode, and build quality matter the most, then the Yoga 460 is the better buy than the X1 Yoga at the cost of a larger footprint and heavier weight. Lastly, the X1 Yoga is the more versatile solution with its SIM slot, lighter weight, and brighter backlight compared to the Yoga 460.
ThinkPad T460s | ThinkPad X1 Yoga | ThinkPad Yoga 460 |
---|---|---|
+ Stronger and more rigid build + No pulse-width modulation on FHD configuration + Excellent system performance; No major throttling + Cooler operating and surface temperatures | + Lighter and easier to handle than the Yoga 460 + OLED options; Brighter display backlight | + Less susceptible to flexing than the X1 Yoga + Standard 2.5-inch SATA III bay + Quieter fan noise + Significantly longer battery life |
- No 360-degree hinge or integrated active stylus - No OneLink+ dock - FHD configuration is dimmer with a more limited color gamut - Louder fan noise when under load - Higher power consumption (i7-6600U SKU) | - More susceptible to flexing compared to the T460s and Yoga 460 - No SmartCard reader - CPU throttling under extreme loads - Louder fan noise when under load | - Larger footprint; noticeably heavier - More difficult serviceability - No SIM slot or SmartCard reader - Limited color space on FHD configuration - CPU throttling under extreme loads |
ThinkPad T460s
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ThinkPad X1 Yoga
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ThinkPad Yoga 460
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