The ThinkPad T14s G4 is a top class trade pocket book and is surpassed most effective by way of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon within the hierarchy of 14-inch ThinkPads. Against this to the X1 Carbon, Lenovo gives the T14s G4 with each Intel and AMD processors. Now we have already reviewed the Intel variant with a Raptor Lake processor and semi-matte OLED display, however the tool did not win us over in relation to multi-core efficiency and battery existence. Now we check out the T14s G4 AMD with its Ryzen 7 7840U and matte low-power Complete HD panel with 400 cd/m² that we already know from earlier generations.
Our take a look at tool is the ThinkPad T14s G4 21F8002TGE and may be very smartly provided as a result of, but even so the aforementioned Ryzen 7 processor, it is composed of a Radeon 780M iGPU, 32 GB of LPDDR5 6400 RAM, a 1 TB SSD, an LTE modem, and a low-power show with 400 cd/m².
Our overview of the HP EliteBook 845 G10 (additionally with a Ryzen 7 7840U and low-power Complete HD panel) additionally left an excessively sure influence – it’s the greatest competitor for the T14s G4 and so we’re curious to peer how the AMD ThinkPad plays in direct comparability.
From the outdoor, the AMD variant of the ThinkPad T14s G4 is recognizable by way of the other sticky label at the palm leisure, however there are differently no variations to the Intel type. The carbon fiber and magnesium/aluminum construct may be very solid, however the black surfaces also are delicate to filth. Alternatively, the ThinkPad T14s G4 is optionally to be had in Hurricane Gray, which is much less delicate on this admire. HP’s EliteBook 845 G10 is better off right here with its silver chassis, however the two fashions fluctuate little in relation to high quality.
There are some variations within the ports as a result of most effective the Intel type gives Thunderbolt make stronger. However the AMD type does now not must turn away in any respect with two rapid USB-C 4.0 ports and, just like the Intel variant, a 5 MP digital camera is put in.
Lenovo equips the AMD ThinkPad with the Qualcomm WCN685x WLAN module, which helps Bluetooth 5.2 along with the trendy WiFi 6E usual. We had no problems connecting to the corresponding 6 GHz community of our reference router from Asus and the switch charges of one.7-1.9 GBit/s had been very excessive and solid. No issues arose throughout trying out (this additionally applies to five GHz networks). Additionally, the take a look at tool gives a 4G/LTE modem from Quectel, which will both be used with an eSIM or nano-SIM card (slot on the rear).
The interior construction of the ThinkPad T14s G4 AMD is equal to the Intel variant and each the M.2 SSD and the WWAN module can also be changed. The battery and the only fan also are obtainable, whilst all different parts (together with the RAM) are soldered. The ground base plate is secured with a couple of go screws and can also be got rid of very simply.
Now we have already reported at the present ThinkPad keyboards a number of occasions and fashions with a trip of one.5 mm are nonetheless used. The T14s G4 nonetheless gives one of the vital best possible typing reports throughout the ThinkPad collection and in addition feels fairly higher than the just lately reviewed ThinkPad P1 G6 in an immediate comparability. In comparison to large rival HP EliteBook 845 G10, the 2 don’t in reality fluctuate in high quality. The previous benefit of ThinkPad keyboards now not exists and customers can kind lengthy texts on each laptops with out factor. The white backlight (two brightness ranges) can’t be activated by the use of sensor, despite the fact that Lenovo already gives this in (less expensive) client fashions such because the Yoga Narrow 7 14 G8. The ClickPad and the TrackPoint serve as in most cases and there aren’t any problems with pointer regulate right here.
Our ThinkPad T14s G4 take a look at tool is provided with the well known low-power IPS show, which has been utilized in Lenovo’s 14-inch trade laptops for fairly a while. Now we have observed a number of occasions up to now that Lenovo makes use of other panel providers and that the values can thus fluctuate, however all fashions will have to achieve the required 400 cd/m². Our panel comes from LG Philips and gives excellent subjective symbol high quality that can not fairly stay alongside of the high-resolution OLED display, however it’s no doubt a good selection for a trade tool. All content material is sharp, colours are robust or even vivid content material does now not glance grainy in spite of the matte floor.
Our tool plays really well in relation to brightness, averaging over 450 cd/m². On the similar time, the black worth of 0.24 cd/m² may be very low for an IPS panel, which ends up in a excessive most distinction ratio of greater than 1,800:1. Reaction occasions don’t seem to be a number of the quickest, however they don’t seem to be disturbing both and halos are slightly visual at complete brightness. The ThinkPad ratings fairly higher than HP’s EliteBook 845 G10 with the low-power show in regard to the measured values.
We measured the panel the use of skilled CalMAN instrument (X-Ceremony i1 Professional 2). Out of the field there’s a transparent blue solid together with a colour temperature this is too cool. There also are some outliers within the colours. Our personal calibration will get most of these issues beneath regulate and each the grayscale and the colours fall underneath the necessary DeltaE-2000 threshold of three. The sRGB colour house is nearly utterly coated. Calibration does cut back the utmost brightness by way of about 40 cd/m², however we’d nonetheless counsel it because of the considerably stepped forward symbol high quality. Our calibration profile is to be had free of charge obtain above, however you will have to ensure that the similar panel is put in (this can also be decided by the use of HWiNFO, for instance).
The out of doors features of the matte panel are very good or even on sunny days customers can take the T14s G4 outside so long as direct daylight is have shyed away from. Right here, the panel has transparent benefits over the semi-matte OLED display. The viewing perspective steadiness leaves no room for complaint. The distinction decreases from an above perspective, however this does not in reality topic in apply.
The ThinkPad T14s G4 is provided with both Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPUs from the present Phoenix U collection (Zen4). The RAM is soldered in every case (LPDDR5x 6400) and consumers have the selection between 16 or 32 GB. Devoted graphics playing cards don’t seem to be introduced for the ThinkPad T14s.
At the ThinkPads, Lenovo’s chronic settings are without delay connected to the common Home windows power profiles, which may be very handy for customers. Should you take a look at the processor’s TDP values, you spot a large distinction to the Intel type of the T14s G4, the place the Core i7-1355U is authorized to devour as much as 50 watts throughout non permanent load peaks. On the other hand, the long-term intake is 24 watts in each fashions. All information about the other power profiles are indexed within the desk underneath. For our benchmarks and measurements, we used Perfect Efficiency because the default profile.
The Ryzen 7 7840U comes from AMD’s present Phoenix U technology and gives 8 rapid Zen4 cores that paintings at a most of five.1 GHz and will procedure as much as 16 threads concurrently. Within the ThinkPad T14s, the processor consumes 30 watts briefly bursts prior to settling at 24 watts. The efficiency is due to this fact now not fairly as excessive because the EliteBook 845 G10, the place the processor stays at 30 watts for longer after which runs at 25 watts. However, the AMD ThinkPad’s efficiency remains to be very good and the outdated Ryzen 7 Professional 6850U within the ThinkPad T14s G3 is outperformed by way of a median of 17% in all benchmarks. The Core i7-1355U does not stand a possibility within the multi-core benchmarks beneath extended load and will most effective stay up due to the considerably upper chronic restrict in the beginning. When each CPUs are at 24 watts, the Ryzen 7 7840U is set 60% quicker. Simplest within the single-core checks does the Intel processor have a (slight) merit due to the efficiency cores. In battery mode, efficiency stays solid. Extra CPU benchmarks are to be had right here.
We additionally took a take a look at the multi-core efficiency of the opposite two power profiles. What is thrilling here’s that the AMD processor gives virtually the similar multi-core efficiency at 12 watts because the Core i7-1355U at 24 watts. Customers can thus fall again on one of the vital extra environment friendly profiles for easy duties and take pleasure in the quieter fan.
The subjective efficiency influence may be very excessive and the ends up in the unreal benchmarks also are excellent. No problems occured throughout trying out both.
In our standardized latency take a look at (web surfing, 4K YouTube playback, CPU load), the take a look at tool does now not display any obstacles beneath the present BIOS model. There was once a spike with one of the vital drivers, however the an important interrupt-to-latency worth may be very low and so there should not be any issues when the use of real-time audio packages.
The ThinkPad T14s G4 makes use of a PCIe 4.0 SSD (M.2 2280) and our take a look at unit has the 1 TB type of the Samsung PM9A1a put in, with round 900 GB loose after the preliminary startup. This can be a very rapid power with most switch charges of seven GB/s and function stays solid beneath extended load, which isn’t a given with rapid PCIe 4.0 drives. Extra SSD benchmarks are to be had right here.
The Radeon 780M is a quick built-in GPU and advantages from rapid LPDDR5x 6400 RAM in a dual-channel configuration. The graphics efficiency could also be a lot better than the Intel type and the AMD type is round 60% quicker within the artificial benchmarks. The lead over the predecessor with its Radeon 680M is slightly below 20% within the artificial checks.
Like CPU efficiency, GPU efficiency drops fairly after the primary few seconds, which is why it additionally fails the Time Undercover agent rigidity take a look at at 95%. Essentially, efficiency is solid and stays so beneath extended load, which could also be showed by way of our Witcher 3 long-term take a look at. Within the gaming checks, the Radeon 780M is considerably quicker than Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics G7 and in our usual gaming benchmarks the lead is round 50%. Which means that older and not more hard titles can also be performed easily at excessive main points.
GPU efficiency does now not drop in battery mode. Extra GPU benchmarks are to be had in our tech phase.
Essentially, the AMD T14s G4 is an excessively quiet better half in on a regular basis use. Simplest beneath complete load does the fan transform unusually loud at a most of 39.2 dB(A) and in addition louder than the Intel variant. If Balanced mode is chosen, it is just 32 dB(A). Perfect Power Saving mode produces a slightly audible 26 dB(A) in rigidity trying out. No different digital noises had been detected.
The outside temperatures of the ThinkPad T14s G4 are completely innocuous: rigidity trying out ends up in an insignificant most of 42 °C. Even beneath complete load, the pc can also be positioned at the thighs with out hesitation. The SoC temperature additionally settles at a low 60 °C, so Lenovo will have lowered the fan velocity or higher the efficiency right here.
In rigidity trying out with blended CPU/GPU load, the processor first runs at 30 watts for brief sessions of time, then at 24 watts for a couple of mins prior to settling at 20 watts. There was once no relief in efficiency instantly after the tension take a look at.
The ability intake of the T14s G4 AMD may be very low and, in spite of the upper most brightness, on par with the HP EliteBook 845 G10 and less than the Intel type. With 2.7 to a most of five.6 watts at complete brightness, the tool may be very environment friendly and the intake charges beneath load are less than within the Intel counterpart, the place the non permanent chronic restrict is way upper. The integrated 65-watt chronic provide is thus utterly good enough.
The battery runtimes along with the 57 Wh battery are very good and the IPS variant has a large merit over the OLED type. At an adjusted brightness of 150 cd/m² (akin to 65% of the utmost brightness in our take a look at tool), the video take a look at runs for slightly below 16.5 hours and the WLAN take a look at for greater than 13 hours. Even at complete brightness, the tool manages virtually 10 hours within the WLAN take a look at. On the other hand, the battery can also be tired in little greater than 1.5 hours (at most brightness), however efficiency does now not endure.
Having reviewed the 2 ThinkPad T14s fashions, we will say proper off the bat that the configuration with the AMD processor and low-power IPS panel is the easier aggregate for a trade pc. The AMD processor gives considerably extra multi-core efficiency at a decrease TDP and isn’t some distance at the back of the Raptor Lake CPUs within the single-core checks both. As well as, graphics efficiency is considerably upper.
In the case of show, the selection could also be an easy one. The sRGB colour house is totally enough for on a regular basis workplace use and the panel is solely a lot more economical than the OLED display, which has to take care of PWM flickering. On best of considerably longer battery existence, the matte IPS panel additionally plays higher outside.
Extra efficiency and considerably longer battery existence: an AMD Ryzen processor and a matte IPS show guarantees that the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 is even higher and is among the best possible trade laptops in the marketplace.
Whilst the selection throughout the ThinkPad T14s G4 is fairly transparent, it turns into a lot more tricky when evaluating the ThinkPad and the HP EliteBook 845 G10. Each units are very identical in lots of spaces and each are these days probably the greatest trade laptops. Whilst the ThinkPad achieves fairly longer runtimes, the EliteBook ratings with a much less delicate case and upgradeable RAM. Moreover, the EliteBook could also be less expensive in a similar configuration. Total, the EliteBook stays the most productive trade pocket book at the moment, although the lead isn’t massive.
The ThinkPad T14s G4 is these days promoting at reductions of 45%, beginning at US$956.45, on Lenovo’s US retailer as a part of its Black Friday offers.
Costs are as of 01.11.2023 and are topic to modify.
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