Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen2 Series

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen2-20T6000MGE

At the beginning of the year, Lenovo released the ThinkPad E14 Gen 1 as the successor of the Lenovo ThinkPad E490 with a fresh design. Now, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 has been released as a redesign of the Gen 1 model. In terms of its design, Lenovo has improved the ThinkPad E series over the years. About three to four years ago, the affordable E models were still completely made out of plastic, but this is not the case with this new ThinkPad E14 Gen 2. Lenovo has improved this model by implementing much smaller screen bezels. Portraying the matte-black colour along with straight and sharp corners, this ThinkPad definitely exudes an aura of seriousness. There is an optical feature that clearly distinguishes the E14 Gen 2 as a 2020 ThinkPad design: the silver Lenovo logo on the lid.

There is obviously no magnesium structure frame like in the ThinkPad T series and no aluminium unibody-style construction like with the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5. However, the E14 Gen 2 comprises aluminium parts, which does increases the stiffness, but makes it susceptible to dents and bending in long term. It should also be noted that pressure on the back of the screen is passed onto the LCD panel comparably fast, but at least the keyboard does not flex. Apart from that, the hinge of the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 has a firm grip on the screen and enables an opening angle of 180 degrees. In addition, opening the screen with one hand is possible as well.

One priority of the redesign seems to have been reducing the length of the chassis. The ThinkPad E14 is definitely shorter and more compact than the Gen 1. In terms of its connectivity, this model has been equipped with only a single USB Type-C port and USB-2.0 port. This might turn out to be a drawback for some users, as the USB-C port does not support Thunderbolt for charging, while the other one only supports USB-2.0 speed. In terms of its keyboard, this device has been equipped with a full-size unit keyboard with 1.8 mm travel. This creates an absolutely comfortable typing experience. In addition, the pressure point is neither too soft nor too hard, and the keys have just the right amount of resistance. However, they do have a slightly rough surface. 

As for the screen, the matte LCD screen of the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 measures 14 inches (16:9). There is also change compared to the ThinkPad E495, as the HD option (1366 x 768) has been evicted and replaced with FHD (1920 x 1080) screens instead. In terms of its battery, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 carries a 45Wh battery. Overall, this is great laptop to be explored, depending on the need and preference of the users.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

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Price comparison

Foreign Reviews

Gelungener Ryzen-Laptop für 700 Euro
Source: Golem DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/24/2020

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 AMD – az eddigi legjobb E szériás ThinkPad
Source: Laptopkalauz HU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good price; elegant design; decent hardware.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/07/2020

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen2-20TA004FUS

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Average Score: 71.25% - average

Reviews

75% Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 Review: A great basic laptop
Source: Phandroid Archive.org version
This is the part of the review where I tell you that you should avoid this because of the underwhelming display, and middling battery life. But that’s not entirely the truth. There’s a much larger problem with the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2, and that’s the price. For a laptop that’s designed with productivity and business in mind, the $700 starting price is just a tad too steep. You can get the same (or better) performance out of one of Lenovo’s Chromebooks. And in the Windows space, Acer, ASUS, and Dell all have options that come in a bit cheaper than what Lenovo offers here. That’s not to say that the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 should be ignored entirely. I really did fall in love again with Lenovo’s keyboards, and the ThinkPad branding complete with the TrackPoint are two great reasons alone for you to consider this laptop. I mean, there’s even Thunderbolt 4, which is only just becoming more readily available for other laptops. But you should think twice before just jumping at this one. It’s a great laptop with limited use cases, and you likely won’t be too disappointed, but just temper your expectations first.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/18/2022
Rating: Total score: 75%

[REVIEW] Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 – the budget option is surprisingly good
Source: Laptop Media Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/30/2022

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (Intel) review: An upgrade that could use an upgrade
Source: On MSFT Archive.org version
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 was released earlier this year but could do with a refresh already. Between the display tech, battery life and performance scores, the E14 presents a dilemma for SMB's looking to upgrade the office with mid-level workstations. For similar prices, options such as the Dell XPS13, HP Envy x360, M1 MacBook Air and even the ThinkPad T14 offer better performance and battery life. Fortunately, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 can be picked up for a reduced price these days at several 3rd party outlets and still maintains the coveted Mil-Spec design with modern day specs. From the Windows Hello support to the latest Intel chip with updated GPUs the ThinkPad E14 could offer moderate modern-day value, but at close to $1,000 it's tough to recommend. Seems as though Lenovo may feel the same way as the E14 Gen 2 in both AMD and Intel models are no longer listed on their sites.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/21/2021

Lenovo'S Thinkpad E14 Productivity Laptop Lags Under A Heavy Workload
Source: Reviewed.com Archive.org version
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 is a well-built laptop with a trackpad and keyboard that instill confidence with every peck and tap. Its matte display reduces glare, which comes in handy when glaring lights burst through. Lenovo’s additional security features add additional barriers that keep away any unwanted peeps at your files and folders.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/29/2021

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 review: A basic business laptop
Source: Good Gear Guide Archive.org version
With the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2, you know exactly what you’re going to get. It’s a basic business laptop with a solid selection of ports, decent productivity performance, and a basic anti-glare screen. Its most exemplary feature is its keyboard, but that’s counterweighted by a disappointing trackpad and middling battery life. The rank and file could do worse, but they could also probably do a bit better as well.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/03/2021

60% Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 review: A basic business laptop
Source: PC World Archive.org version
With the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2, you know exactly what you’re going to get. It’s a basic business laptop with a solid selection of ports, decent productivity performance, and a basic anti-glare screen. Its most exemplary feature is its keyboard, but that’s counterweighted by a disappointing trackpad and middling battery life. The rank and file could do worse, but they could also probably do a bit better as well.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/03/2021
Rating: Total score: 60%

70% Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
It's not that Lenovo offers more ThinkPads than you can shake a stick at—it's just that it would take a very long time to shake that stick at them all. The ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (starts at $896; $1,039 as tested) is a business laptop aimed at small offices, priced below the enterprise ThinkPad T and premium ThinkPad X series (in other words, overlapping the ThinkBook series). It's a 14-inch slimline with many of the ThinkPad virtues, such as a first-class keyboard and MIL-STD 810H durability. But it's on the heavy side for a 14-inch laptop; it has only one USB-C and one USB-A port (not counting an outdated USB 2.0 port); and the power adapter steals the USB-C port. Lenovo laptops regularly earn four or four and a half stars in our review ratings, but this one falls a bit short.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/12/2021
Rating: Total score: 70%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad E14 review
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 delivers on being a good productivity option with a great keyboard, zippy performance and deep security features. But be warned, this one is only for the business crowd.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/09/2021
Rating: Total score: 80%

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 review – the budget option is surprisingly good
Source: Laptop Media Archive.org version
As always, it is great to see a laptop that feels this good in daily usage. The keyboard is amazing, the browsing experience is snappy, and the performance is there. However, the disappointing battery life and lack of some features like the SD card reader let the entire setup down, despite the optional fingerprint reader and IR face recognition system.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/06/2021

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 - disassembly and upgrade options
Source: Laptop Media Archive.org version
Support, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/06/2021

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen2-20T60020US

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Average Score: 79% - good

Foreign Reviews

79% REVIEW: Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2, um notebook para trabalho
Source: Showmetech.com.br PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/30/2021
Rating: Total score: 79% price: 70% performance: 90% display: 65% mobility: 85% workmanship: 85%

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen2-20TA00HKSP

Specifications

Price comparison

Foreign Reviews

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (20TA00HKSP). Portátil 14,0" empresarial
Source: Ofertaman ES→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact size; light weight; stylish design; comfortable keyboard.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 12/12/2022

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (20TA00HKSP). Portátil 14,0" empresarial
Source: Ofertaman ES→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact size; light weight; comfortable keyboard; nice connectivity.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/10/2022

Comment

Lenovo: Lenovo ("Le" from English legend, novo (Latin) for new) was founded in 1984 as a Chinese computer trading company. As of 2004, the company was the largest laptop manufacturer in China and, after acquiring IBM's PC division in 2005, the fourth largest in the world. In addition to desktops and notebooks, the company manufactures monitors, projectors, servers, etc, and specializes in developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, software, enterprise solutions and related services.

In 2016, the company ranked first in the world in computer sales. It still held it in 2023 with about 23% global market share. Important product lines are Thinkpad, Legion and Ideapad.

In 2011, it acquired a majority stake in Medion AG, a European computer hardware manufacturer. In 2014, Motorola Mobility was purchased, which gave Lenovo a boost in the smartphone market.

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

AMD Vega 7: Integrated graphics adapter of the Ryzen APUs based on the Vega architecture with 7 CUs (= 448 shaders) and a clock speed of up to 1,600 MHz.

Intel Iris Xe G7 80EUs: Integrated graphics card in Intel Tiger Lake G7 SoCs based on the new Gen. 12 architecture with 80 EUs (Execution Units / Shader Cluster). The clock rate depends on the processor model. The Tiger Lake chips are produced in the modern 10nm+ process at Intel.

AMD Vega 5: Integrated graphics card of the Ryzen APUs based on the Vega architecture with 5 CUs (= 320 shaders) and a clock of up to 1400 MHz.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

AMD Renoir (Ryzen 4000 APU):

R7 4700U: A mobile Octa-Core APU with Zen 2 cores clocked at 2 to 4.1 GHz and a Vega graphics adapter with 7 CUs clocked at up to 1600 MHz. Compared to the faster 4800U, the 4700U offers a slightly lower boost clock speed and does not support SMT.

R3 4300U: Mobile Quad-Core APU using four Zen 2 cores clocked at 2.7 to 3.7 GHz and a Vega graphics adapter with 5 CUs clocked at up to 1400 MHz. The CPU does not support SMT / Hyperthreading.

Intel Tiger Lake:

i5-1135G7: A quad-core, mid-range processor of Tiger Lake product family designed for use in ultra-light laptops. The i5 is manufactured on Intel's second-gen 10 nm process marketed as SuperFin and features an 80 EU Iris Xe G7 iGPU. Core i5-1135G7 has a base clock speed of 2.4 GHz as long as it is allowed to consume 28 watts.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

14.00:

14 inch display size represents a middle ground between the small subnotebook formats and the screens of the standard 15 inch laptops.

The reason for the popularity of mid-sized displays is that this size is reasonably easy on the eyes, provides good resolutions with usable detail sizes, yet does not consume too much power and the devices can still be reasonably compact. 

In the past, 14-inch devices were very rare, but now they are the standard for laptops after the 15-inchers. 

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.

No weight comment found (one expected)!

72.8%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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