Lenovo ThinkPad T490 vs Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P)
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, has more storage and has Thunderbolt or USB4, an SD card reader and Ethernet. Pick the Acer Aspire Go 14 only if it matters to you that it is sold new.
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Key differences
- Memory Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has 16 GB of memory against 8 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 twice the storage: 256 GB against 128 GB.
- Ports Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
Only the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has Thunderbolt or USB4, an SD card reader and Ethernet.
- Storage type Lenovo ThinkPad T490 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 uses a proper SSD, while the Acer Aspire Go 14 has slower eMMC-style flash storage, so apps open and update more slowly.
- Condition Depends on you
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Acer Aspire Go 14 is sold new.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 256 GB of storage.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives), an SD card reader (for camera cards) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
- You want apps and updates to feel quick: it has a proper SSD.
Choose the Acer Aspire Go 14 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 1.45 kg.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 6 gets more out of a modern router.
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
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has more memory, has more storage and has a faster SSD, while the Acer Aspire Go 14 has faster memory.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8265U | Intel N150 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-2400 | DDR5 |
| Maximum memory | 48 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Partly upgradeable | — |
| Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | UFS |
| Storage interface | PCIe NVMe M.2 | PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 / UFS flash |
| 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 | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | No |
| Brightness | 250 nits | — |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Anti-reflective | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Acer Aspire Go 14 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 16.11 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Battery capacity | 50 Wh | 53 Wh |
| Charger | 65 W | 65 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | 80% in 1 hr (Rapid Charge, with 65W adapter) | — |
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.45 kg |
| Dimensions | 329 x 227 x 17.9 mm | 319.8 x 227.8 x 19.9 mm |
| Materials | PPS/50% GF (top), PC + ABS/Talc15 + magnesium alloy (keyboard cover), PA/50% GF (bottom) | — |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810G | — |
| Colour | Black | Silver |
| Colours available | Black | Silver |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has Thunderbolt or USB4, an SD card reader and Ethernet, while the Acer Aspire Go 14 has Wi-Fi 6.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 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 | 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5 mm audio |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 3 | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet (1 GbE RJ-45) | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 | 1x1 AX |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | — |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the Acer Aspire Go 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | — |
| Webcam privacy | ThinkShutter physical camera cover | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight | AcerSense key, Caps Lock indicator, microphone mute indicator |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Multi-touch Mylar surface touchpad plus TrackPoint pointing device | Microsoft Precision Touchpad |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Audio Premium | 2 speakers |
| Microphones | Dual array microphone, far-field | built-in microphone |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Discrete TPM 2.0, Kensington lock slot, Fingerprint reader (match-on-chip), Smart card reader, ThinkShutter camera cover | Firmware TPM, BIOS user password, BIOS supervisor password, Kensington lock slot |
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 Acer Aspire Go 14 is sold new. The Acer Aspire Go 14 is sold new, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | Acer Aspire Go 14 (AG14-32P) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Update promise | None | — |
| Model number | 20N20009UK | NX.J3REK.002 |
| Released | 2019 | — |