The venerable ThinkPad T14s collection is again this with wide-ranging SKUs encompassing Intel, AMD, IPS, and OLED choices. We have now already reviewed the AMD and OLED methods and so now’s the easiest time to try an Intel IPS configuration to peer the way it compares.
Our check unit ships with the Core i7-1365U vPro and 1200p IPS show for roughly $1400 USD. It is without doubt one of the extra reasonably priced configurations because it excludes some luxuries like WAN, Good Card, and the 5 MP webcam.
The ThinkPad T14s competes with different 14-inch industry subnotebooks just like the Dell Latitude 7440, HP EliteBook 845 G10, or Asus ExpertBook B9.
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A very simple solution to distinguish between an Intel configuration from an AMD configuration — except their decal emblems — is to search for the Thunderbolt icon subsequent to the USB-C ports. In a different way, the Intel and AMD configurations percentage the similar chassis design with out a different visible variations.
WLAN efficiency is constant and very good when paired to our Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz) community. Efficiency on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz) is a little more shaky as proven by way of the graph beneath however it’s nevertheless dependable and completely serviceable.
Our check unit comes configured with a 2 MP webcam as a substitute of a 5 MP as discovered on our AMD unit. IR is simplest non-compulsory whilst the privateness slider comes usual.
There are a complete of six(!) show choices to be had as follows. Our check unit has been configured with the only in daring which is without doubt one of the less expensive choices.
- 1920 x 1200, IPS, 300 nits, touchscreen, matte, ~60% sRGB
- 1920 x 1200, IPS, 300 nits, matte, ~60% sRGB
- 2240 x 1400, IPS, 300 nits, matte, ~60% sRGB
- 1920 x 1200, IPS, 400 nits, matte, 100% sRGB
- 2800 x 1800, OLED, 400 nits (500 nits HDR), shiny, 100% DCI-P3
- 1920 x 1200, IPS, 500 nits, touchscreen, matte, 100% sRGB
As proven by way of our measurements beneath, choosing the lower-end panel includes noticeable sacrifices to colours and brightness when in comparison to the higher-end choices. We suggest the fourth choice with complete sRGB protection on the very least particularly for any graphics modifying and to support outside visibility.
There aren’t any show choices more than 60 Hz which is a disgrace as competing 14-inch subnotebooks just like the Asus ExpertBook B9 have 90 Hz OLED panels.
The show does no longer come calibrated with its reasonable grayscale and colour deltaE values of four and three.72, respectively. Calibrating it ourselves addresses the overly heat colour temperature for extra correct grayscale and colours as proven by way of our CalMAN screenshots beneath. Even so, the show nonetheless turns into extra erroneous at greater saturation ranges because of the slender colour protection discussed above.
We set Home windows to Efficiency mode previous to working the benchmarks beneath. Lenovo Vantage does no longer have its personal set of energy profiles to scale back confusion.
The Core i7-1365U gives simply 10 p.c sooner single-thread efficiency than the Core i5-1335U. In a different way, the 2 CPUs carry out nearly identically in relation to multi-thread efficiency. You will have to believe the AMD Zen 4 configurations for larger efficiency.
Efficiency sustainability is simplest reasonable. When working CineBench R15 xT in a loop, as an example, multi-thread efficiency would drop by way of about 20 p.c over the years to suggest slowing Turbo Spice up speeds.
PCMark Productiveness and Virtual Content material Introduction subtest effects are neatly at the back of the AMD-based ThinkPad T14s G4 because of the slower CPU multi-thread efficiency and built-in GPU efficiency of our Intel style.
LatencyMon unearths DPC problems when opening more than one browser tabs of our homepage. 4K video playback at 60 FPS is differently absolute best with out a dropped frames recorded.
Our check unit features a 512 GB Kioxia XG8 KXG8AZNV512G promising sequential learn and write charges of as much as 7000 MB/s and 5000 MB/s, respectively. The force in our unit can certainly achieve 7000 MB/s, however this price would simplest closing for a minute or two ahead of it starts to throttle to the 5000 MB/s vary as proven by way of our DiskSpd loop effects beneath. When put next, the Samsung PM9A1a within the AMD model of our ThinkPad T14s G4 would haven’t any problems keeping up most speeds for longer classes. We suspect that the controller at the Kioxia is achieving its temperature ceiling at a sooner price than at the Samsung.
The Iris Xe 96 EUs is due for an improve because it has fallen at the back of contemporary choices from AMD. The Radeon 780M within the AMD model of the ThinkPad 14s G4 can be offering 40 to 60 p.c sooner efficiency which isn’t insignificant whatsoever. Downgrading to the Core i5-1335U configuration with the Iris Xe 80 EUs as a substitute of our Iris Xe 96 EUs will affect graphics efficiency by way of 25 to 30 p.c.
Curiously, general efficiency stays about the similar between battery energy, Balanced mode, and Efficiency mode as proven by way of our 3DMark 11 effects desk beneath.
| Energy Profile | Physics Rating | Graphics Rating | Blended Rating |
| Battery Energy | 13557 | 6293 | 6359 |
| Balanced | 12255 | 6424 | 6148 |
| Efficiency | 12580 | 6403 | 6268 |
Idling on Witcher 3 displays secure efficiency except a unmarried example the place body charges would quickly dip to the single-digit vary. The inconsistency used to be thankfully no longer repeatable.
Fan noise, or extra particularly the dearth thereof, is without doubt one of the easiest sides of the ThinkPad T14s G4. Our Intel unit specifically runs fairly quieter than the AMD configuration when difficult a lot are presented. In different phrases, the interior fan is in a position to stay quieter for longer ahead of greater RPMs are wanted.
Floor temperatures most sensible out at 40 C at the most sensible and backside (C and D covers) when working difficult a lot very similar to what we recorded at the AMD model. The recent spots are towards the rear clear of the palm rests and lots of the usually used keyboard keys.
The CPU would spice up to three.8 GHz, 53 W, and 100 C when beginning Prime95 pressure. After about 10 seconds or so, on the other hand, the CPU would drop to two.5 GHz and 23 W to be able to take care of a extra manageable core temperature of 77 C. The quick-lived Turbo Spice up possible is not unusual among U-series-powered Ultrabooks and it’s in step with our CineBench R15 xT effects above.
Core temperature when working Witcher 3 to constitute prime GPU load would stabilize at 73 C in comparison to 77 C at the contemporary Pavilion Plus 14 with the quicker Ryzen 7 7840U.
Our Intel machine is fairly extra difficult than the AMD model by way of a couple of watts when idling on desktop. Prolong this by way of a number of hours and the minor variations can upload up as exemplified by way of our battery lifestyles ends up in the following phase.
Energy intake when beginning CPU-intensive duties will draw a lot more energy with our Intel unit than an AMD unit because of the normally greater Turbo Spice up possible of the Core collection. Alternatively, the ability spike would simplest closing for only a few seconds ahead of intake normalizes between the Intel and AMD fashions as proven by way of our comparability graphs beneath.
Efficiency-per-watt is obviously in AMD’s choose. Working Witcher 3 or Prime95, as an example, calls for about the similar from every style after accounting for throttling and but the AMD Ryzen 7 configuration would supply noticeably sooner multi-thread CPU efficiency and graphics efficiency than our Intel Core i7 configuration.
WLAN runtime is noticeably shorter than at the AMD style by way of a number of hours even supposing battery capability is similar between them. We are ready to file nearly 8 hours of real-world surfing in comparison to over 13 hours at the AMD-based model which continues to be just right however nevertheless underwhelming towards the HP EliteBook 845 G10 or Latitude 7440.
The Core i7 vPro ThinkPad T14s G4 is the quickest Intel configuration to be had and but it’s nonetheless slower than the less expensive Ryzen 7 Professional configuration in each multi-thread CPU efficiency and graphics efficiency. No longer simplest that, battery lifestyles is if truth be told shorter than the AMD choice in spite of the whole slower efficiency. Those drawbacks by myself aid you suggest the AMD Ryzen 7 configuration which may also be discovered for $1200 USD or $200 lower than our Core i7 assessment configuration supplied with the similar 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD, and 1200p IPS touchscreen.
The Core i7 ThinkPad T14s G4 is not horrible whatsoever. As an alternative, the Intel U-series is solely outclassed by way of the present crop of AMD Zen 4 CPUs particularly when it comes with the spectacular Ryzen 7 7840U.
The Intel SKUs have the benefit of Thunderbolt strengthen, however the AMD choices send with USB4 which helps maximum Thunderbolt units anyway like eGPUs and displays. The advantages of going Intel as a substitute of AMD are due to this fact very minor for the majority of customers. Customers can get monetary savings or get extra bang for the dollar by way of going with a Ryzen 7 unit after which configuring with further auxiliary choices like WAN or Good Card.
Lenovo is now transport the ThinkPad T14s in more than one configurations beginning at $1110 USD for the Intel SKUs or $920 for the AMD SKUs. Our particular Intel Core i7 configuration retails for round $1400.
Allow 48h for review and removal.