Lenovo ThinkPad T14s – AMD Vs Intel

Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s is the successor to the ThinkPad T490s and comes with a choice of AMD Ryzen 4000 or 10th Gen Intel mobile processor

The T14s is a slim version of the T14, which is where the s comes from, and is available with both AMD and Intel processor options. There are a few key differences, not just with performance, so we thought we’d set them out for you.

Here’s a look at the specs in both review units of the ThinkPad T14s I received from Lenovo.

Design and Features

In comparison to the T490s the T14 is almost identical in terms of weight and dimensions, it’s slim and light and won’t take up much space. Built from aluminium and carbon fibre polymer, they are durable and have been put through the usual tests. The Intel version is available in full aluminium build with a silver finish, while the AMD version is only available in the standard ThinkPad black.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on both the AMD and Intel versions have the same layout, if you’re upgrading a previous model ThinkPad you won’t notice a difference and if you’re new to the ThinkPad range it will take no time at all to get used to the easy feel of typing on the T14s. The precision touchpad has a mylar finish and is smooth to touch with precise pointing, while the TrackPoint system is there for anyone who prefers physical buttons and the red pointing nub.

Display

There is a range of 14″ display options from Lenovo for the T14s, with AMD and Intel versions having a FHD 250-nit non-touch and FHD 300-nit touch, or 400-nit low power FHD and 500-nit FHD touch options with PrivacyGuard screen filter and all options are anti-glare. If you want to upgrade to 4K then you have no option other than to choose the Intel model.

Ports

Almost the same on both AMD and Intel versions, with the AMD version offering 2 x USB-C 3.2, Ethernet extension adapter, 2 x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.0, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington lock slot. The Intel model has virtually the same but includes a Thunderbolt 3 port. Worth noting that the HDMI on the Intel is 1.4 and not 2.0 as it is on the AMD.

On the rear edge of both laptops are a combination microSD card reader and SIM slot, so you can choose to add an LTE card. An optional Smart Card reader can be added to either laptop as well if you need one.

Security

Security is something that ThinkPads are renowned for, and the new T14s is no different, it’s packed with both included features as well as optional extras. Both have a webcam shutter, regardless of whether you choose an IR camera. The IR camera is backed up by a fingerprint reader which is embedded into the right palm rest and works well for logging into the device without a password.

Performance and Battery Life

AMD’s Ryzen 4000 mobile CPUs have been making their mark and Lenovo are one of the first manufacturers to put them in a laptop with the ThinkPad T14s, taking advantage of the PRO variant. There are extra management and security features in comparison to the standard Ryzen 7 4000 mobile CPUs, and the multi-threading capabilities it has give it extra performance.

In addition to this, Lenovo’s Vantage app has many additional features that you can adjust to your benefit, such as a battery threshold toggle which keeps the battery from overcharging, as well as smart standby that keeps the battery power topped up in idle, and the ‘always on’ USB toggle.

Both models of the T14s have excellent battery life, the Intel Core i5 has around 9 hours of real-world use, while the Ryzen 7 has almost 10 hours of the same kind of usage, both more than enough to see you through an average day of work without having to find a socket to plug into. Both versions of the T14s have Rapid Charge which will charge to 80% of capacity in around an hour.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Intel Core i5-10310U – 1.60GHz with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD PCIe NVMe Opal is available to Flexi-Lease from £14.80 per week, while the ThinkPad T14s AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD is available to Flexi-Lease at exactly the same price!

We have a full range of ThinkPads available to lease, if the T14s isn’t for you take a look at the other options here.

If you’d like to find out more about leasing the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s give our expert team a call on 020 7111 1643 or email sales@hardsoft.co.uk, alternatively you can use the webchat facility on our website