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Lenovo ThinkPad T490s Series

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APBProcessor: Intel Core i5 i5-8265U, Intel Core i7 i7-8565U
Graphics Adapter: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display: 14.00 inch
Weight: 1.27kg, 1.35kg
Price: 1259, 1650 euro
Average Score: 84.88% - good
Average of 6 scores (from 10 reviews)
performance: 67%, features: 72%, display: 90%, mobility: 80%, workmanship: 89%, ergonomy: 93%, emissions: 91%

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NYS02A00

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NYS02A00Notebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NYS02A00
Processor: Intel Core i5 i5-8265U
Graphics Adapter: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Weight: 1.27kg
Price: 1259 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage

Price comparison

 

Reviews

89.3% Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (i5, Low Power FHD) Laptop Review | Notebookcheck
It is a bit surprising that the ThinkPad T490s gets a new chassis since the manufacturer has already redesigned the model last year. There are more changes, but not all of them are positive. We have reviewed the new ThinkPad T490s with the Low Power 1080p screen.

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC

The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC is a lightweight laptop with heavyweight performance. It has a redesigned bezel, yields a sleek, larger display area – and an amazing array of screen options includes WQHD with Dolby Vision. Plus, it has enhanced security and privacy features, up to 20 hours of battery life, and an aluminum cover for the Silver option. Like all ThinkPads, the T490s is tested against 12 military-grade requirements and more than 200 quality checks to ensure they run in extreme conditions. From arctic wilderness to desert dust storms, from zero gravity to spills and drops, user can trust this laptop to handle whatever life throws. At 1.35 kg, it is a very lightweight laptop that is typical on an ultrabook or a tablet. Compared to the previous generation T480s, users will find the following two main differences from the outside: the RJ45 LAN connector (the one next to the USB-C for the docking station) has disappeared and an IR camera has been added above the display for easier sign-up. Another difference is the expansion of display options. Users can also choose a touch-sensitive, anti-sneaker, or 2,560 x 1,440 high-resolution panel and HDR support. Even the basic matte Full HD display offered in this laptop boasts low power consumption. For confidential data, which needs to remain secure from roaming eyes, the T490s offers an FHD panel with PrivacyGuard, which is an exclusive technology that narrows the field of view of the screen info from all angles other than head-on. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC features an Intel Core i7-8565U processor, Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics adapter, 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD. With this specification, the laptop is capable of delivering great performance for multitasking or resource demanding applications. Still, the ThinkPad keyboard is one of the best. The layout is all old. Another thing from the past is still the pointstick in the middle of the keyboard, which includes the three buttons above the touchpad. The T490s delivers up to 20 hours of battery life. And if users are running low, Rapid Charge technology provides 80 % capacity in just an hour. So a 60-minute lunch break or a layover can easily boost battery up to almost 16 hours. As a conclusion, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC offers reliability and a robust yet thin and lightweight design. It is suitable for working professionals who are always on the go thanks to its fast drive storage and high performance processor. Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMCNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC
Processor: Intel Core i7 i7-8565U
Graphics Adapter: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Weight: 1.35kg
Links: Lenovo homepage

Price comparison

Average Score: 80% - good

Average of 1 scores (from 3 reviews)

 

Reviews

80% Lenovo ThinkPad T490s Review
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
In case the ThinkPad pedigree isn’t speaking for itself, reasons for buying a new Lenovo T490s are as follows: it’s an un-flashy but versatile laptop that’s a pleasure to use, and it comes with sufficient security features included to keep your IT department happy. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s means business. Look beyond the defiantly anachronistic stylings and you’ll find a solid, reliable machine that offers a level of security beyond what most other consumer-grade devices can offer. A capable, powerful, and smart – if retro-looking – Windows 10 laptop.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/04/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

RECENZE: Lenovo ThinkPad T490s - hi-end 14'' ve ztenčené verzi, s odolným tělem a výbornou výdrží
Source: Notebook.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Excellent display; long battery life; good silent system. Negative: Uncomfortable keyboard.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/11/2019
Test notebooku Thinkpad T490s: zvenku jako dřív, uvnitř se ale vše změnilo
Source: Zive CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Nice display; fast fingerprint sensor; good cameras. sign; slim size; light weight; nice gaming performance; decent hardware.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/11/2019

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APB

The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a laptop with redesigned bezels, which yields a sleek, larger display area and an amazing array of screen options including WQHD with Dolby Vision. With lightweight portability and heavyweight performance, the ThinkPad T490s might just be their best T-Series model ever. Plus, enhanced security and privacy features, up to 20 hours of battery life, and an aluminum cover for the Silver option. Buyers of the ThinkPad T490s have a low-power FHD option for ultimate battery life, or they could go with the FHD touchscreen. For refined details, increased brightness, and amazingly accurate colors, dramatic Dolby Vision® high-dynamic-range (HDR) technology is available on the WQHD panel. The display is framed by a new, narrow bezel design that results in a larger display area. The T490s also offers a FHD panel with PrivacyGuard - an exclusive technology that narrows the field of view of the screen from all angles other than head-on. Like all ThinkPads, the T490s is tested against 12 military-grade requirements and more than 200 quality checks to ensure it runs in extreme conditions. From the Arctic wilderness to desert dust storms, from zero gravity to spills and drops, users can trust this laptop to handle whatever life throws their way.

Additionally, the T490s features a ThinkShutter, a physical cover that users can slide open when they want to use the camera and close when they are finished; it is now available on all camera options. Users can also add an optional IR (infrared) camera and optional touch fingerprint reader for biometric login. As for performance, the T490s is powered by up to 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5/i7 vPro™, up to 32 GB of RAM, up to a 1TB PCIe SSD and Intel UHD 620 graphics. It definitely delivers decent performance, ideal for business and work purpose. The T490s keeps users connected. The optional LTE-A card keeps users up and running worldwide. With the ThinkPad Pro Dock (sold separately), a USB-C side mechanical docking station easily connects with two male Type-C ports that snap into and automatically level the user’s devices. Once docked, the ThinkPad stays securely in place and connects to all of their peripherals. The T490s delivers up to 20 hours of battery life. And if the battery is running low, Rapid Charge technology provides 80% of the capacity in just an hour. So, a 60-minute lunch break or a layover can easily boost the battery up to almost 16 hours. In conclusion, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a great business laptop. The lightweight design, redesigned bezel and high performance hardware make it stand out from competitors. This model certainly lives up to its ThinkPad branding, which is designed especially for work.

 

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APBNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APB
Processor: Intel Core i5 i5-8265U
Graphics Adapter: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Weight: 1.35kg
Price: 1650 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage

Price comparison

Average Score: 85% - good

Average of 4 scores (from 6 reviews)

 

Reviews

Lenovo Thinkpad T490S Laptop Review: Thin And Light Done Right
Source: PC Perspective English Archive.org version
I used a number of laptops in 2019, and this ended up being my overall favorite. No, it’s not a big gaming beast with a mechanical keyboard and desktop GPU inside, nor is it an impossibly slim aluminum lifestyle accessory with zero connectivity. The ThinkPad T490s exists in this happy medium of professional machines where at least some of the I/O we used to take for granted is still built in to the device itself, and doesn’t exist only in one’s imagination (aka a series of dongles).
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/02/2020
80% Lenovo Thinkpad T490 review: A smart business laptop
Source: India Today English Archive.org version
The ThinkPad T490 is the only model in the Thinkpad series that offers the essential computing experience without the bells and whistles. And for what it promises, it manages to fulfil it easily. The T490 is a great computer to work on, especially with is stellar keyboard and trackpad, a reliable battery life, a good display and, a tank-like build quality. Surely, At Rs 1 lakh, you can find slimmer ultrabooks with more features and interesting designs. However, after using a couple of ultrabooks for work, I can say that no laptop comes close to the comfort, versatility and reliability a ThinkPad offers. And the new T490 is the best proof of that. It's a smartly designed laptop for the smarter breed of intellectuals.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/07/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Lenovo ThinkPad T490s
Source: PC Mag English Archive.org version
Among Lenovo's 14-inch ThinkPads, the slim T490s is a better bet than the bulkier T490 model, but the premiere X1 Carbon remains tempting, if not for the reason you might expect.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/19/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s review – a ThinkPad and ultrabook in one?
Source: Laptop Media English Archive.org version
Apart from being one of the hottest ThinkPads on the market (literally) the ThinkPad T490s proved to be a very stable device. It has all of the security features that a ThinkPad owner might need. Additionally, it is thin and light (just 1.35 kg), which makes it perfect for business people and moreover supervisors and managers that need to check different values and results on the go.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/24/2019
90% Lenovo ThinkPad T490s review: A solid Windows 10 laptop that won't let you down
Source: Neowin English Archive.org version
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a pretty great laptop, and particularly so because I can't think of any real drawbacks to buying one. Perhaps the biggest con is the display, which is somewhat mediocre. Also, if the Dolby Vision option is like the T490 that I reviewed, it's not as good as other Dolby Vision screens that I've seen on Lenovo PCs.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/06/2019
Rating: Total score: 90%
90% Lenovo ThinkPad T490s Review: Slimmer than ever, X1 Carbon aesthetic
Source: Slashgear English Archive.org version
If you’re a fan of Lenovo’s T-Series, you’ll love the new T490s. The company boasts that this may be its best business laptop in the series to date, and that’s a fair assessment. The new ThinkPad model offers a variety of features and packs them into a slim, lightweight shell, bringing the best of ultraportables and business notebooks combined.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/04/2019
Rating: Total score: 90%

 

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.

Intel UHD Graphics 620: Integrated GPU (GT2, 24 EUs) found on some Kaby-Lake-Refresh CPU models (15 W ULV series). Technically identical to the previous Kaby-Lake GPU called HD Graphics 620.

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


Intel Core i5:

i5-8265U: Whiskey Lake based low power quad-core processor (technically identical to Kaby Lake but produced in a further improved 14nm++ process). The four cores are clocked between 1.6 and 3.9 GHz (Turbo Boost) and support HyperThreading.

Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.  

i7-8565U: Whiskey Lake based low power quad-core processor (technically identical to Kaby Lake but produced in a further improved 14nm++ process). The four cores are clocked between 1.8 and 4.6 GHz (Turbo Boost) and support HyperThreading.

» 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)!


84.88%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.

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

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Current Prices
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APB
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APB
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APB
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000APB
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s-20NX000EMC
Stefan Hinum, 2019-06-28 (Update: 2019-06-28)