Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2)
Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2)

Our Rating: 78 %

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)

Our Rating: 85 %

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

good security features

reliable performance

mediocre display quality

limited graphics power

noisy under load

heavier than competitors

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful processor options

good battery life

ample connectivity options

relatively heavy

average display brightness

costly base model

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
81 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 32.9 cm x 22.7 cm x 1.79 cm 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.55 kg 1.21 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre, polyphenylene sulfide, polyamide Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.9 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 10-core
Cache 6 MB 12 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 40 GB 40 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 1
Empty Slots 1 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wireless-AC 9560 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Intel I219-V -
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
WWAN
Generation 4G 4G
Technology LTE LTE
Controller FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card Quectel EM05-G - M.2 Card
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Technology Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 50 Wh 39.3 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16.11 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3)
HDMI
Dock
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (20N2) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AJ)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington nano 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, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold EPEAT Gold
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
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