Lenovo ThinkPad L480 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L480 and Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L480 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

good battery life

effective security features

affordable price point

mediocre display quality

average processor speed

limited graphics performance

no thunderbolt support

Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

good security features

decent battery life

solid performance

average display quality

heavier design

limited graphics power

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L480 and Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
69 % - Design
64 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
74 % - Design
65 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L480 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm 33.5 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.25 cm
Weight 1.68 kg 1.69 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS Polycarbonate ABS
Colour Black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Screen Size (Type) 14" 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 220 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45%
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
CPU Intel Core i3 (8th Gen) 8130U / 2.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.4 GHz 3.9 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Quad-Core
Cache 4 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
RAM 8 GB 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 32 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 2400 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 2666 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 Intel UHD Graphics 620
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features - ThinkShutter camera privacy
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Advanced Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
Wireless Controller - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9260 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
WWAN
Generation - 4G
Technology - LTE
Controller - FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Technology Lithium Ion 3-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) - 45 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 12 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Dock
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Dock
USB 3.1 Gen 1
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR)) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L480 Lenovo ThinkPad L490 (20Q5)
Dockable Yes Yes
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested
Compliant Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001 RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Silver
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