HP Laptop 14s (older gen) vs Lenovo ThinkPad T490
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, has more memory and has more storage. The HP Laptop 14s doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
- Speed Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is quicker. Its Intel Core i5-8265U copes well with everyday tasks, while the Intel Celeron N4500 in the HP Laptop 14s is built for browsing, email and documents.
- Memory Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has 16 GB of memory against 4 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Storage Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has four times the storage: 256 GB against 64 GB.
- Storage type Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 uses a proper SSD, while the HP Laptop 14s has slower eMMC-style flash storage, so apps open and update more slowly.
- Ports Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
Only the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and Ethernet.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HP Laptop 14s if…
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.46 kg.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 6 gets more out of a modern router.
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 if…
- You want a snappier laptop for everyday work: its Intel Core i5-8265U is the faster processor.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 4 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 256 GB of storage.
- You want apps and updates to feel quick: it has a proper SSD.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo ThinkPad T490 leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is ahead on performance.
It is faster, has more memory and has more storage, and the HP Laptop 14s doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Laptop 14s (older gen) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel Core i5-8265U |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2400 |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB | 48 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Partly upgradeable |
| Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | SSD |
| Storage interface | eMMC | PCIe NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | — | 1 |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | HP Laptop 14s (older gen) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | HD (1366 x 768) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | Basic screen: colours fade at an angle | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | — |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | No |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | — | None |
| Finish | Matte | Anti-reflective |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The HP Laptop 14s is a little lighter, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has a bigger battery.
| Spec | HP Laptop 14s (older gen) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 12 hours | Up to 16.11 hours |
| Battery capacity | 41 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 65 W |
| Charges via | — | USB-C |
| Fast charging | 50% in 45 min | 80% in 1 hr (Rapid Charge, with 65W adapter) |
| Weight | 1.46 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 324 x 225 x 17.9 mm | 329 x 227 x 17.9 mm |
| Materials | — | PPS/50% GF (top), PC + ABS/Talc15 + magnesium alloy (keyboard cover), PA/50% GF (bottom) |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810G |
| Colour | Jet black | Black |
| Colours available | — | Black |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The HP Laptop 14s has Wi-Fi 6, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and Ethernet.
| Spec | HP Laptop 14s (older gen) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data only, not for charging per Icecat), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo, 1x SD card reader | 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 (one Always On, charges devices when off), 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 / Thunderbolt 3 (charging, data, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (charging, data, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x microSD, 1x Smart card reader, 1x Side docking connector |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | Thunderbolt 3 |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Card reader | SD | microSD |
| Ethernet | — | Gigabit Ethernet (1 GbE RJ-45) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Wi-Fi card | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2x2 | Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the HP Laptop 14s doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Laptop 14s (older gen) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | — | ThinkShutter physical camera cover |
| Backlit keyboard | No | Yes |
| Keyboard | full-size keyboard, no numeric keypad | 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad | Multi-touch Mylar surface touchpad plus TrackPoint pointing device |
| Speakers | 2x built-in, HP Dual Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Audio Premium |
| Microphones | 2x built-in | Dual array microphone, far-field |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM (firmware TPM), BIOS and power-on password | Discrete TPM 2.0, Kensington lock slot, Fingerprint reader (match-on-chip), Smart card reader, ThinkShutter camera cover |
Software and model
On software and updates, it comes down to what you need.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the HP Laptop 14s is sold new. The HP Laptop 14s is sold new, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Laptop 14s (older gen) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home in S mode | Windows 11 Pro |
| Update promise | — | None |
| Model number | BM2T9EA | 20N20009UK |
| Released | — | 2019 |