Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY)
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY)

Our Rating: 85 %

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2). 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 T490s (20NY) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

lightweight design

good security features

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

no HDMI port

higher price point

Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

reliable performance

adequate connectivity options

mediocre display quality

heavier than competitors

limited graphics performance

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
81 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 32.9 cm x 22.615 cm x 1.67 cm 32.54 cm x 21.7 cm x 1.983 cm
Weight 1.35 kg 1.39 kg
Case Material Magnesium alloy, carbon fibre reinforced plastic Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
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 T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - TCG Opal Encryption, NVM Express (NVMe) - Toshiba 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 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 T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
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 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
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 T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 42 Wh
Battery Life Up to 20 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
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 T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
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 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Dock
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
LAN (on supplied cable)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (20NY) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C2)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter, ThinkPad Ethernet Extension Cable Gen 2 USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, 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, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
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%
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