Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (Intel Core i7-1185G7 vPro, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 14″ FHD Touchscreen, 4G LTE) Business Laptop, 14-Hr Battery, Backlit, Fingerprint, FHD Webcam, Wi-Fi 6, Win 11 Pro – 3-Yr Warranty
About This Product
Introduction
In the world of business laptops, Lenovo’s ThinkPad series has long been a symbol of reliability, durability, and performance. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s, powered by an Intel Core i7-1185G7 vPro processor, 32GB of RAM, and a spacious 1TB SSD, is no exception. In this comprehensive review, we will delve deep into the features, performance, build quality, and overall suitability of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s for professionals and power users.
I. Design and Build Quality Lenovo ThinkPad T14s
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s maintains the classic, timeless design that Lenovo ThinkPads are known for. Its minimalist, matte-black chassis exudes a professional and understated elegance. The iconic red TrackPoint, red accents, and ThinkPad logo on the lid are all present, signifying its lineage. Lenovo has always emphasized the durability of their laptops, and the T14s are no different. It meets MIL-STD-810H standards for ruggedness, ensuring it can withstand various environmental conditions and accidental drops.
The laptop’s dimensions are compact, with a 14-inch form factor that strikes a balance between portability and screen real estate. It’s only 16.1mm thin and weighs just under 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg), making it highly portable and suitable for professionals on the move. The slim bezels around the display also contribute to its modern and sleek appearance.
The build quality is exceptional, with a magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis that feels solid and sturdy. The hinge mechanism allows the laptop to open to a full 180 degrees, making it versatile for different usage scenarios. Lenovo’s attention to detail is evident in the keyboard, which offers a comfortable typing experience with good key travel and spill-resistant design. The backlit keyboard is a bonus, allowing you to work comfortably in dimly lit environments.
II. Display Of Lenovo ThinkPad T14s
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display. While it may not boast the highest resolution or a fancy OLED panel, it’s a workhorse display that gets the job done for business and productivity tasks. The matte finish on the screen helps reduce glare and reflections, which is essential for office use.
The display offers good color accuracy and decent brightness, making it suitable for tasks like content creation, spreadsheets, and video conferencing. However, if your work demands precise color reproduction or you’re into media consumption and entertainment, you might want to consider other laptops with higher-resolution or more vibrant displays.
III. Performance
Under the hood, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s packs serious firepower. It’s equipped with an Intel Core i7-1185G7 vPro processor, part of Intel’s 11th-generation Tiger Lake lineup. The “vPro” designation signifies support for advanced security and manageability features, which can be particularly important for business users.
The quad-core, eight-thread CPU, with a base clock of 3.0 GHz and Turbo Boost up to 4.8 GHz, delivers excellent performance for a wide range of tasks. Whether you’re running complex spreadsheets, multitasking with multiple applications, or even dabbling in some light content creation, the ThinkPad T14s handles it all with ease.
The inclusion of 32GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking and the ability to work with large datasets without any hiccups. Furthermore, the 1TB SSD provides ample storage space and rapid data access speeds. Boot times are lightning-fast, and applications open almost instantly.
In terms of graphics performance, the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics can handle everyday graphics tasks, but it’s not designed for intensive gaming or 3D rendering. For those specific purposes, you might want to look at laptops with dedicated graphics cards.
IV. Connectivity and Ports
Connectivity options on the ThinkPad T14s are comprehensive, making it suitable for professionals who require a variety of peripherals and connectivity options. It features two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, which provide high-speed data transfer and the ability to connect to multiple external displays. In addition to Thunderbolt 4, you get two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
One of the standout features of the ThinkPad T14s is its inclusion of an Ethernet port. While many ultrabooks sacrifice this port for slimness, the T14s retains it, offering a reliable and fast wired connection option for those who need it.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for high-speed wireless networking and Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting to peripherals such as wireless mice and headphones. The laptop also has an optional WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) card, allowing for 4G or 5G connectivity, which can be particularly useful for professionals who require internet access on the go.
V. Keyboard and Trackpad
One of the hallmarks of Lenovo ThinkPads is their exceptional keyboard, and the ThinkPad T14s is no exception. The island-style keyboard offers a comfortable and tactile typing experience, with well-spaced keys and good key travel. The inclusion of a TrackPoint nub in the middle of the keyboard is a unique feature that many ThinkPad enthusiasts swear by for precise cursor control.
The keyboard is also spill-resistant, which is a practical feature for busy professionals who may occasionally have a coffee mishap. The backlighting is adjustable, allowing you to work comfortably in low-light environments.
The trackpad, while not the largest we’ve seen on a laptop, is responsive and accurate. It supports Windows 10 gestures and multi-touch input, making navigation a breeze. Additionally, the physical buttons above the trackpad provide a tactile alternative to clicking.
VI. Security Features
These security features make the ThinkPad T14s a reliable choice for professionals who deal with sensitive data and need to keep their work secure.
Fingerprint Reader: The built-in fingerprint reader allows for quick and secure login using Windows Hello biometric authentication.
ThinkShutter: A physical camera cover that you can slide over the webcam to block it when not in use, ensuring your privacy.
Discrete TPM (Trusted Platform Module): This hardware-based security chip helps secure sensitive data, passwords, and encryption keys.
Self-Healing BIOS: Lenovo’s self-healing BIOS helps protect the laptop against BIOS-level attacks and malware.
Kensington Lock Slot: For physical security, there’s a Kensington lock slot to tether your laptop to a desk or other secure location.
Optional Smart Card Reader: If your organization uses smart cards for authentication, you can opt for a smart card reader for an added layer of security.
VII. Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor for a laptop aimed at professionals who are often on the go. The ThinkPad T14s impresses in this department, thanks to its efficient components and Lenovo’s power management.
The laptop comes equipped with a 57Whr battery, which, under typical workloads, can easily last a full workday without needing a charge. In our testing, with moderate use consisting of web browsing, document editing, and video conferencing, we consistently achieved around 8-10 hours of battery life. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on usage patterns and screen brightness.
Lenovo also offers a Rapid Charge feature, which can provide around 80% battery capacity in just an hour of charging. This is incredibly handy when you need to top up your battery in a hurry.
VIII. Software and Operating System
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s ships with Windows 10 Pro, which offers enhanced features and security compared to the standard Windows 10 Home edition. However, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro if you prefer the latest operating system from Microsoft.
Lenovo includes some additional software, such as the Lenovo Vantage app, which provides system management and updates. While some users appreciate the added control and customization options, others may find it slightly bloatware-like.
IX. Audio and Speakers
The audio quality on the ThinkPad T14s is decent for a business laptop. The downward-firing speakers produce clear sound, but they lack the depth and bass of higher-end laptops or external speakers. They are suitable for video conferences and casual media consumption, but for a more immersive audio experience, external speakers or headphones are recommended.
X. Cooling and Performance Optimization
The laptop’s cooling system is effective at keeping temperatures in check, even during demanding tasks. The fan noise is generally quiet and unobtrusive, making it suitable for quiet office environments or working in public spaces.
Lenovo’s Intelligent Cooling system is designed to optimize performance and thermal management. It adapts to your usage patterns to provide the right balance between performance and heat dissipation. This ensures that the laptop doesn’t become uncomfortably hot during extended use.
Pros:
- Performance: The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s boasts a powerful Intel Core i7-1185G7 vPro processor and 32GB of RAM, making it a high-performance machine capable of handling demanding tasks with ease.
- Build Quality: Its magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis and MIL-STD-810H certification ensure durability and longevity, making it suitable for professionals who need a rugged laptop.
- Security Features: The laptop comes with a range of security features, including a fingerprint reader, ThinkShutter camera cover, TPM, and optional smart card reader, providing robust data protection.
- Connectivity: The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, and an Ethernet port offers excellent connectivity options for a wide range of peripherals and networking needs.
- Battery Life: The ThinkPad T14s provides long battery life, easily lasting a full workday, and features rapid charging for quick top-ups when needed.
- Keyboard: Lenovo’s iconic keyboard design with excellent key travel and spill-resistant features ensures a comfortable and productive typing experience.
- Reliability: Lenovo’s ThinkPad series is renowned for its reliability, making it a trusted choice for professionals and businesses.
Cons:
- Display: While the Full HD display is adequate for productivity tasks, it may not satisfy users who require higher resolution or color accuracy for media editing or creative work.
- Integrated Graphics: The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics are suitable for everyday graphics tasks but may struggle with intensive gaming or 3D rendering.
- Price: The ThinkPad T14s, with its premium build quality and performance, comes at a relatively higher price point compared to some other business laptops in its class.
- Bloatware: Some users may find Lenovo’s pre-installed software, such as the Lenovo Vantage app, to be unnecessary or potentially bloatware-like.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s is a standout performer in the realm of business laptops. With its sleek design, sturdy build quality, powerful performance, and comprehensive set of security features, it checks all the boxes for professionals and power users alike.
While the Full HD display may not be the most vibrant or high-resolution option on the market, it’s perfectly suited for productivity tasks and business use. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports, an Ethernet port, and optional WWAN connectivity adds to its versatility.
The ThinkPad T14s excels in areas that matter most to business users: performance, security, and reliability. Whether you’re a corporate professional, a small business owner, or a remote worker, the ThinkPad T14s can handle your workload with ease. Its long battery life and rapid charging capability further enhance its appeal for on-the-go professionals.
In summary, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s is a workhorse of a laptop, designed to meet the demanding needs of business and professional users. Its combination of power, portability, and security features makes it a strong contender in its class, and its classic ThinkPad design ensures it will fit right into any corporate or business environment. If you’re in the market for a reliable, performance-oriented laptop for work, the ThinkPad T14s deserves a spot on your shortlist.
