The ThinkPad T collection has a protracted historical past, which started within the yr 2000, again then as an IBM ThinkPad. At this level, Lenovo already owns the ThinkPad emblem longer than IBM ever did, and the ThinkPad T collection is almost definitely probably the most longest-lived pc collection of all time. Some of the T ThinkPads, which might be made for trade consumers, the ThinkPad T14s is the transparent chief of the pack – it’s the thinnest, lightest and costliest type of the ThinkPad T collection. Todays evaluate software, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4, comprises Intel Raptor Lake and a top rate OLED display.
On first look, one may assume that the design of the ThinkPads by no means adjustments. However even for this maximum conservative pc collection there are adjustments, although they’re extra of evolutionary than innovative nature.
On occasion, Lenovo additionally adjustments issues after which reverts the ones adjustments. With the ThinkPad T14s Gen 2, Lenovo presented a brand new dark-grey chassis colour as a substitute of the common black. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 represents a U-turn right here, as it’s now clad in “deep black”. The brand new, outdated colorway undoubtedly seems to be extra top rate than the darkish gray that used to be used sooner than. Sadly, the ThinkPad remains to be very inclined when it comes taking a look greasy and grimy.
The development has no longer modified. Lenovo combines 3 other fabrics: Carbon fiber plastic is used for the show lid, whilst the palmrest is constituted of a magnesium alloy and the ground quilt is aluminum-made. The adaptation in subject material isn’t obvious from the outdoor – as discussed sooner than, the ThinkPad is painted black. Chassis steadiness is superb, although no longer 100 % absolute best. On this side and with regards to the haptic-quality, the ThinkPad T14s G4 is awesome to the ThinkPad T14 for sure.
As same old with ThinkPads, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 can also be opened to 180 levels. The 2 drop down hinges with their silver steel caps at all times cling the display securely, with none wobbling.
Footprint and weight are similar to the previous type. Compared to the contest, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 is thinner than the Latitude and EliteBook. The Dell Latitude 7440 is somewhat bit extra compact although. When compared with the HP EliteBook 845 G10, the ThinkPad is noticeable extra light-weight with 1.3 as a substitute of one.5 kg.
For the ports, there’s isn’t any trade between the Lenovo ThinkPads T14s Gen 4 and the ThinkPad T14s Gen 3. When compared with the rather thicker ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 there’s no RJ45 Ethernet at the T14s.
The WiFi functionality of the Intel AX211 isn’t to be criticized, because the WiFi 6E module works speedy and constant.
Except for the WiFi module, the evaluate software additionally comprises a 4G/LTE. The Quectel EM05-G is a CAT4 module. Now not each and every configuration of the ThinkPad T14s G4 has a WWAN module, some fashions don’t also have antennas. For probably the most excessive finish permutations of the Lenovo ThinkPad, there may be a 5G choice.
Lenovo ups the decision of the webcam from 1080p to 5 megapixel. This leads to a sharper symbol, however one that isn’t a lot stepped forward from sooner than with regards to colours or lights.
With the camera-shutter “ThinkShutter”, Lenovo places in a function for greater privateness and safety that company consumers will respect. The similar must be true for the dTPM chip, the Kensington lock slot, the smartcard reader and the Fingerprint reader in addition to the infrared digicam subsequent to the common webcam.
Lenovo places a contemporary and compact 65 W GaN charger into the field with the ThinkPad T14s Gen 4. Except the charger, there are not any further equipment ex manufacturing unit.
Conserving the ground quilt in position are a complete of 5 captive screws and a couple of clips on the rear finish. It’s simple to take away, however there isn’t an entire lot to do within the inside. The SSD is upgradable and the WWAN module is modular as smartly, however RAM and WiFi module are soldered on-board. Now not soldered, however screwed in are battery and fan, those elements are simple to interchange. Other from the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G4, converting the keyboard is extra of an concerned affair, because the ThinkPad T14s G4 needs to be principally disassembled to switch the keyboard.
Ex manufacturing unit, Lenovo provides this German configuration of the ThinkPad T14s G4 3 years of guaranty with bring-in provider. This guaranty may be legitimate the world over. The interior battery will get a restricted 365 days guaranty. In Germany, this configuration additionally will get on-site provider all the way through the primary yr of the guaranty duration. This provider can also be booked for all the guaranty duration as a expensive add-on, identical for an extended 5 yr guaranty.
When Lenovo adjustments the enter gadgets, it will at all times galvanize an outcry. Thankfully, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 is unchanged in comparison with the predecessor ThinkPad T14s G3. The whole-size keyboad (with the exception of for one of the keys at the proper facet of the keyboard) has a perfect structure with grouped F keys, devoted PageUp/Down keys and adequately sized arrow keys.
Lenovo does no longer experiment with the keys them self both, in contrast to for instance Dell with the Latitude 9440. The backlit Chiclet keyboard has a trip distance of one.5 mm and the everyday soft-landing-yet-still-defined ThinkPad typing really feel. Typing in this keyboard is a pleasure, although the trip distance isn’t as beneficiant because it was once on older ThinkPads.
The touchpad of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 measures 11.5 x 6 cm. This isn’t truly large, simply large enough. The outside is constituted of Mylar plastic, which Lenovo calls “Glass like”. And in point of fact, this plastic may be very easy and could be wrong for glass in the beginning contact, although the haptic high quality isn’t reasonably as excessive with the second one contact. The outside lets in for easy finger-gliding although. Now not superb is the clicking mechanism of the hinged clickpad, which can also be pressed down within the decrease a part of the outside space – it might be extra dampened. The software-performance of the touchpad is just about absolute best.
As at all times, the everyday crimson TrackPoint is right here, the pointing stick between the B/G/H keys. This can be a nice selection to the touchpad and higher than the touchpad for some duties, for instance when the consumer wears gloves or has to paintings in cramped environments like trains or planes. On the other hand, the TrackPoint calls for the consumer to get used to it, which is why maximum will almost definitely no longer use it and simply rely at the touchpad as a substitute. A part of the bundle for the TrackPoint are the 3 flat buttons above the touchpad, with the center key appearing as a scroll button when held pressed. The TrackPoint buttons paintings flawlessly.
In overall, there are six other display choices for the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 Intel, although some traits are shared via all displays on be offering: The side ratio (16:10) and display length (14 inch).
- WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200), IPS, 300 cd/m², 45 % NTSC, matte
- WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200), IPS, 300 cd/m², 45 % NTSC, matte, On-Cellular Contact
- WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200), IPS, 400 cd/m², 100 % sRGB, matte, Low-Energy
- WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200), IPS, 500 cd/m², 100 % sRGB, matte, On-Cellular Contact, Privateness Guard
- 2.2K (2,240 x 1,400), IPS, 300 cd/m², 100 % sRGB, matte
- 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800), OLED, 400 cd/m², 100 % DCI P3, semi-glossy
The panel remains underneath the promised 400 cd/m², as we measure a median of simply 320 cd/m². This places the panel smartly underneath the two.5K IPS panels of the contest from Dell and HP. Whilst the ThinkPad can’t stay up on this regard, OLED panel is tricky to overcome with regards to distinction, as it’s principally limitless. On this side, the IPS pageant can’t stay up in any respect. Additionally, the OLED show has a lot decrease and thus higher reaction occasions, there’s no backlight bleeding and the display brightness distribution may be very even.
The panel can’t be calibrated smartly for the sRGB gamut, leading to a excessive deltaE of five.0 after the calibration – even worse than the deltaE previous to the calibration of four.9.
Colour gamut protection of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 OLED is superb. sRGB and DCI P3 are 100 % lined, AdobeRGB protection may be close to whole with 97.6 %. This panel must do smartly for picture enhancing in the ones broad colour gamuts.
Due to the excessive distinction ratio, the panel is usable outdoor, although the brightness isn’t that prime. The OLED display is semi smooth, so there are some reflections, however they’re toned down.
As maximum OLED displays, this Samsung panel makes use of PWM to control brightness. The PWM frequency varies: With 0/10 brightness, it sits at 120 Hz. At 1/10 brightness, it will increase to 180 Hz. Flip the display any brighter and the frequency jumps to round 360 Hz. The heartbeat width modulation frequency is reasonably low or even energetic for 100 % brightness, so other people delicate to PWM must keep away from this panel.
The ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 is to be had with each Intel and AMD CPUs. Lenovo gives seven other Intel processors, 4 CPUs of the “U15” magnificence (Core i5-1335U, i5-1345U, i7-1355U, i7-1365U) and 3 of the category “P28” (Core i5-1340P, i7-1360P, i7-1370P). For finish shoppers, handiest the U15 variants are to be had, because the P28 CPUs are unique to very large trade consumers with this era who organize them by way of a “particular bid”.
The built-in Intel GPU at all times handles the duty of the GPU, devoted GPUs are not any choice right here. Relying at the processor, the ThinkPad both has the Iris Xe w/80 EUs or the Iris Xe w/96 EUs, with the i7 CPUs having the more potent GPU. The reminiscence is at all times soldered, with 16 or 32 GB LPDDR5X-4800 to be had. A unmarried M.2 2280 SSD with a most capability of two TB handles garage.
Other from different producers and in addition other from Lenovo’s client lineup, ThinkPads don’t use any proprietary utility to set the power profiles. As an alternative, Lenovo makes use of the local Home windows power control machine within the Home windows settings. Right here, 3 power profiles are selectable, which set the ability limits (PL1 = functionality underneath sustained load, PL2 = brief time period enhance functionality) and regulates the ability intake of the processor and machine:
- Best possible battery lifestyles: PL1 11 Watt / PL2 11 Watt
- Balanced: PL1 14 Watt / PL2 25 Watt
- Best possible functionality: PL1 24 Watt / PL2 50 Watt
The Intel Core i7-1355U is a processor of the “Raptor Lake” era and a part of the U15 collection. As maximum U15 chips, this processor has two functionality cores and 8 potency cores, so a complete of 10 cores. The clockrates vary between 1.7 and 5 GHz (P cores) and 1.2 to three.7 GHz (E cores). For direct comparisons with different processors, our CPU record can be utilized.
With a sustained load of 24 W, the U15 CPU of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 Intel can arrange smartly. The functionality is particularly excellent in terms of the one core self-discipline and brief time period multicore-boost functionality.
Much less excellent is the multicore functionality underneath sustained load. It lands within the midrange of all of the Raptor Lake ThinkPads we have been in a position to check up to now. Particularly in comparison with the ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 Intel, the ThinkPad T14s G4 Intel is quicker. On the other hand, in comparison with the AMD based totally EliteBook 845 G10, the T14s pales, regardless of if the HP makes use of the U or HS magnificence CPUs. The AMD predecessor ThinkPad T14s G3 AMD may be a lot sooner right here. The T14s G4 Intel is handiest in a position to overcome the AMD laptops reasonably obviously with regards to unmarried core functionality.
We didn’t stumble on and CPU functionality limitation in battery mode with this Lenovo pc.
We will no longer bitch concerning the machine functionality in on a regular basis use. Within the artificial benchmarks, the ThinkPad laptops finally ends up in the course of the pack.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 Intel has DPC latency issues, which may end up in a stuttering machine all the way through video/audio enhancing. We didn’t see many dropped frames within the Youtube check, on the other hand. Additionally, this downside can regularly temporarily be solved with a motive force replace.
In our evaluate pattern, we discover a M.2 2280 SSD made via Samsung. The PM9A1a is hooked up by way of speedy PCIe 4 connection and it has a capability of 1 terabyte. In our benchmarks, the SSD is reasonably sluggish for a PM9A1, however in comparison with the opposite trade laptops and their SSDs, this Samsung SSD remains to be the quickest.
Our evaluate software makes use of the Iris Xe w/96 EUs, since this variant of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 is provided with an i7 processor. It’s an built-in GPU with out devoted reminiscence. This makes the reminiscence configuration essential – the 32 GB LPDDR5X-4800 run within the quad channel mode, so the reminiscence does no longer restrict the functionality.
Amongst all of the in comparison laptops with Intel CPU, the T14s Gen 4 Intel delivers the most efficient GPU functionality, although it can’t compete with the new AMD answers. The Iris Xe delivers sufficient functionality for easy duties and older video games, which must be lowered in decision and graphical constancy.
Sadly, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 Intel isn’t the quietest trade pc. When it’s idling, the fan is most commonly off or just about quiet with simply 25.6 dB(a). Too dangerous that the T14s G4 Intel is already louder than the contest underneath reasonable load, particularly ThinkPad T14s G3 AMD and HP EliteBook 845 G10 are much less loud. Below complete load, the Dell Latitude 7440 is simply rather louder and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 isn’t extraordinarily loud right here with 37.8 dB(a) – however the AMD pageant and the predecessor T14s G3 are all quieter.
We didn’t pay attention and coil whine.
The turn facet of the energetic fan: The chassis remains lovely cool to touch. The utmost temperature of 45.6 level Celsius / 114 F all the way through the Witcher 3 check is heat, however no longer but bad and in addition just a unmarried sizzling spot.
There used to be no throttling all the way through the strain check.
The audio system of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 are positioned above the keyboard. Their loudness is OK, however handiest reasonable, the user-facing audio system merely lack base. Identical is right for the audio system of the HP EliteBook 845 G10, although its stereo audio system are a minimum of somewhat bit louder.
Unsurprising, the idle energy intake of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 Intel is way upper in comparison with the predecessor, regardless of if we evaluate it with the AMD or Intel type – the reviewed T14s Gen 4 comprises a excessive res OLED display. The comparability with the HP EliteBook 845 G10 and Dell Latitude 7440 is extra equitable, as those a minimum of comprise high-res IPS 2.5K shows.
The utmost intake of 64.3 W sits underneath the charger capability of 65 W.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 is at all times provided with an inside 57 Wh battery. For the T14s G4 Intel with OLED, the battery handiest lasted for 7.5 hours all the way through the WiFi check (150 cd/m² brightness) – a underneath reasonable consequence, which can also be stepped forward via the use of darkish mode. The opposite laptops within the comparability beat the T14s G4 Intel on this regard.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 Intel is a great trade pc, however the reviewed configuration with an OLED display isn’t smartly balanced.
For a very long time, the T14s collection has been the use of carbon fiber plastic and magnesium for the chassis, which leads to a light-weight and nonetheless powerful design. The latest type on this chassis gives many connectivity choices together with LTE, superb enter gadgets in addition to the colourful and top rate OLED display. This nice display on the other hand may be answerable for the best weak point of this configuration, because the battery lifestyles is underneath par. If a greater battery staying power is wanted, patrons must select the Low Energy WUXGA display as a substitute. The OLED panel additionally has PWM.
As a Raptor Lake U15 pc, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 gives a excessive degree of unmarried core functionality, however the multicore functionality for duties like compiling code is missing. Related AMD fashions are some distance higher on this appreciate. Additionally, the pc needs to be criticized for its fan noise, as it’s louder than the opposite trade pc – although a minimum of this leads to a groovy chassis.
Top class OLED display leads to low battery lifestyles: The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 isn’t balanced within the examined configuration.
One selection to the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 might be the Dell Latitude 7440. The Dell pc gives a high-resolution WQXGA IPS display as a substitute of the OLED panel. Any other competitor is the HP EliteBook 845 G10, which reaches a some distance higher multicore CPU functionality, because of the AMD CPU.
The T14s G4 Intel additionally will get inside pageant its personal AMD variant, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 AMD – a evaluate of that pc is already deliberate.
Within the reviewed configuration, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 Intel prices kind of €2,230 in Germany. The T14s G4 Intel begins at $1,275 on the Lenovo US retailer.
Allow 48h for review and removal.