You get what you pay for: The differences between a Lenovo ThinkPad L14 and T14 explained

Choosing the right laptop can be confusing, especially when buying from a manufacturer that gives you more than plenty of choice - a prime example being Lenovo. The biggest PC manufacturer has over a dozen ThinkPad laptops on the market, and that is just the ThinkPad brand.

However, when people buy a ThinkPad, there seems to be a common, almost default answer: The Lenovo ThinkPad T series, or to be more precise, the ThinkPad T14. The T series is the longest running ThinkPad model, and it is the mainstay of the brand that essentially gives it its image. It is easy to see why people love models like the recent Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 (available on Amazon).

However, other models exist, sometimes even similar to the T14 - like the Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 6. We recently reviewed the AMD variant of said model, and it is interesting to explore the differences between the two.

ThinkPad T14 vs ThinkPad L14: Less expensive, but also less options

In terms of design, the L14 is not that different from the T14, though the L14 does not have the pronounced camera bump on the display cover. When you handle the two, a difference in materials becomes quickly obvious: Both are made from plastic, but the T series uses a smooth coating for almost all surfaces, while the L is rough on the bottom. Also, the T series is thinner and feels just a big more robust, thanks to the Magnesium frame on the inside of the base that the L series lacks.

Of course, the ThinkPad L14 G6 is less expensive: While a ThinkPad T14 G6 sets you back at least $1,238 over at Lenovo's US store right now, the L14 G6 starts at $1,094. Not visible in this base price: The differences in options. A T14 can be configured with high end features, like 5G or OLED screens, as well as some additional CPU options, like Intel Lunar Lake. The L14 gives you more limited options, disregarding high end screens entirely and just offering the outdated 4G standard. In terms of the CPUs, you also get options that the T does not, but on the opposite end: The AMD model can be configured with outdated but cheaper Hawk Point Refresh Ryzen 200 CPUs, which are not available on the T series.

Overall, the ThinkPad T offers more flexibility and more quality, but for a price. For basic business usage, a ThinkPad L series, like the ThinkPad L14 Gen 6 AMD, can be just as productive, as it offers all the enterprise security and repairability options of the T14. And it has one advantage: The L14 has three USB-A ports, while the T14 has just two.