Lenovo ThinkPad T490

With a sturdy design and impressive performance, the ThinkPad T490 is aimed at office professionals who work continuously, or programmers in need of a stable machine for long periods.

Comprehensive performance in a business machine

The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 utilizes the powerful Whiskey Lake CPU series, delivering impressive performance. The machine offers various CPU options, from Core i5 8265U to Core i7 8665U, catering to different needs and users. Although it uses power-efficient CPUs, Lenovo has tuned the power limit of this machine to 25W, helping to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

At the end of 2019, Lenovo added several 10th Gen CPU options to this lineup, including Core i5 10210U, Core i7 10510U, and Core i7 10710U. Notably, the Core i7 10710U version features a 6-core CPU, making it perfectly suited for running heavy Excel files as well as video editing.

The two graphics card options are Intel UHD 620 and Nvidia MX250. Equipping the machine with the MX250 option will enhance its ability to handle graphics-intensive software. Additionally, the MX250 version features better cooling with two copper heat pipes, whereas the version using only the integrated Intel GPU has only one heat pipe leading to the fan.

Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Design

In recent years, Lenovo has slimmed down the T series design, moving away from the rigid and bulky appearance. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is no different; it is thinner, more elegant, and slightly lighter than the previous T480. At first glance, this machine shares some similarities with the T480s, however, the materials used are quite different. The chassis is made of a plastic-fiberglass composite, with a magnesium frame reinforcement around the perimeter. The machine is coated with a smooth, fine velvet-like finish that provides a premium feel. However, because it uses plastic instead of metal, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is not as rugged as the T480s or its sibling, the T490s.

The hinges are sturdy and secure, allowing for a 180-degree opening. The bezels have also been slimmed down, enhancing the screen viewing experience. Truly, it is difficult to find a machine with such high-quality finishing and materials as the T490.

Improved Display

The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is equipped with a Full HD IPS display with wide viewing angles. The brightness is modest, at 250 nits for the standard version and 300 nits for the touchscreen version. The color gamut on these versions is also not extremely high, at 62% sRGB and 40% AdobeRGB, which is sufficient for office environments. However, on higher-end options like the low-power version and the PrivacyGuard screen, the brightness reaches 400 nits, accompanied by better color coverage of 92% sRGB and 60% AdobeRGB. It seems Lenovo has brought high-end display options from premium lines down to this T490 model.

Additionally, the machine offers a 2K HDR display option using Dolby Vision technology with up to 100% AdobeRGB color gamut, providing sharp and realistic images suitable for photo editors. The machine also has an HD resolution option, suitable for those looking to optimize costs while still using a stable business laptop.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard is what has defined the ThinkPad brand for decades, and the T490 is no exception. The keyboard features good key travel and high tactile feedback; the slightly curved keycaps significantly reduce hand fatigue during long typing sessions. The key spacing is well-arranged, and while the arrow and Fn keys are smaller than usual, they still perform well during use.

The T490’s touchpad has a textured plastic surface and a moderate size. The mouse buttons have good responsiveness and operate quite quietly. Equipped with Windows Precision Drivers, gestures and touchpad feedback are both smooth and accurate.
The Trackpoint remains an impressive feature of the ThinkPad laptop line. It offers high precision and easy one-handed operation. The three accompanying mouse buttons have clear tactile points, sufficient travel, and quiet operation.

Optimized Audio Experience

Lenovo still equips the ThinkPad T490 with a quality speaker set using Dolby Audio Premium technology. The speakers have a 4W output, providing clear, stereo sound that is not “dry.” Notably, the machine has moved the speaker array from the bottom to near the hinge area, providing a better audio experience for users.

Connectivity Ports

The machine features a fairly complete range of connectivity ports, including 2 USB Type A 3.1 Gen 1, 1 HDMI 1.4b port, 1 RJ-45 network port, 1 MicroSD card slot, and 2 USB Type C ports; however, only 1 port supports Thunderbolt 3, while the other supports the 3.1 Gen 1 standard but supports fast charging and video output.

Upgradeability

The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 offers quite good upgradeability. The machine has one soldered RAM slot with 8GB or 16GB capacity and one empty RAM slot, supporting a maximum capacity of 32GB. Additionally, the T490 has one upgradable m.2 SSD slot, supporting up to 2TB. However, the Wi-Fi card cannot be upgraded as Lenovo has soldered it onto the motherboard.

Is the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 worth it?

With a design that is not flashy but still exudes sophistication, combined with stable performance and many configuration options, the ThinkPad T490 is a worthy business laptop in the current market. However, the main drawback for users is that it is less rugged and heavier than its predecessor, the T480s, despite having comparable configurations.