Lenovo ThinkPad T490 vs HP 14 (N150)
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 HP 14 only if it matters to you that it is sold new.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
- 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 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 HP 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 HP 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 4 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 HP 14 if…
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
- You want a more recent design: it came out in 2025.
- You might want more memory later: you can add it yourself.
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 HP 14 can be upgraded.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | HP 14 (N150) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8265U | Intel N150 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-3200 |
| Maximum memory | 48 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Partly upgradeable | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | UFS |
| Storage interface | PCIe NVMe M.2 | UFS |
| 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 | HP 14 (N150) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | HD (1366 x 768) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | IPS | Basic screen: colours fade at an angle |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Anti-reflective | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has a bigger battery, while the HP 14 is a little lighter.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | HP 14 (N150) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 16.11 hours | Up to 11 hours |
| Battery capacity | 50 Wh | 41 Wh |
| Charger | 65 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | — |
| Fast charging | 80% in 1 hr (Rapid Charge, with 65W adapter) | 50% in 45 minutes |
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.46 kg |
| Dimensions | 329 x 227 x 17.9 mm | 324 x 225 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 | Black | Jet black |
| Colours available | Black | Jet black |
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 HP 14 has Wi-Fi 6.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | HP 14 (N150) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort Alt Mode), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x 3.5 mm audio |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 3 | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Card reader | microSD | — |
| 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 | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 adapter (model not published) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | HP 14 (N150) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p HP TrueVision HD |
| Webcam privacy | ThinkShutter physical camera cover | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight | full-size keyboard |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Multi-touch Mylar surface touchpad plus TrackPoint pointing device | HP Imagepad |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Audio Premium | HP dual speakers |
| Microphones | Dual array microphone, far-field | dual microphones |
| 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 password, power-on password |
Software and model
The HP 14 is ahead on software and updates.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the HP 14 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | HP 14 (N150) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home in S mode |
| Update promise | None | — |
| Model number | 20N20009UK | BM2T5EA |
| Released | 2019 | 2025 |