Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) vs Lenovo ThinkPad T490
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has the edge: it has more storage and has Wi-Fi 6. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 still has USB-A, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Storage Lenovo ThinkPad T14 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
- Ports Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
Only the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has USB-A.
- Wi-Fi Lenovo ThinkPad T14 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has newer Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 against Wi-Fi 5.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 6 gets more out of a modern router.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2020.
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 if…
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories).
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Core i5-8265U copes well with everyday tasks.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: it has 16 GB of memory.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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 T14 is ahead on performance.
It has more storage, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-10310U | Intel Core i5-8265U |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2400 |
| Maximum memory | 48 GB | 48 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Partly upgradeable | Partly upgradeable |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 | PCIe NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 1 | 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 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | No |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Anti-reflective |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 16.5 hours | Up to 16.11 hours |
| Battery capacity | 50 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Charger | — | 65 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | 80% in 1 hour | 80% in 1 hr (Rapid Charge, with 65W adapter) |
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 329 x 227 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) | PPS/50% GF (top), PC + ABS/Talc15 + magnesium alloy (keyboard cover), PA/50% GF (bottom) |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| Colours available | Black | Black |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has Wi-Fi 6, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has USB-A.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data, charging, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 / Thunderbolt 3 (data, charging, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x microSD, 1x side docking connector | 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 | Thunderbolt 3 | Thunderbolt 3 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | microSD | microSD |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | Gigabit Ethernet (1 GbE RJ-45) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 | Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Mobile data | — | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | ThinkShutter physical camera cover | ThinkShutter physical camera cover |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Keyboard | 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys with Unified Communications controls | 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | TrackPoint pointing device plus Mylar-surface multi-touch touchpad | Multi-touch Mylar surface touchpad plus TrackPoint pointing device |
| Speakers | Stereo, 2 W x2, Dolby Audio | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Audio Premium |
| Microphones | — | Dual array microphone, far-field |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, Kensington Security Slot | Discrete TPM 2.0, Kensington lock slot, Fingerprint reader (match-on-chip), Smart card reader, ThinkShutter camera cover |
Software and model
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Gen 1) | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro |
| Update promise | — | None |
| Model number | ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 | 20N20009UK |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |