Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21HD0018AU) Review: Powerful Business Laptop with a Familiar Feel
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is a solid update to the popular business laptop line, offering a blend of power, portability, and familiar ThinkPad design cues. This review delves into the performance, features, and overall value proposition of this particular model, equipped with an Intel Core i5-1335U processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 aims to provide a reliable and efficient workhorse for professionals. It boasts a sleek and durable design, a comfortable keyboard, and a vibrant display. This model, with its Intel Core i5-1335U processor and 16GB RAM, targets users who need a balance of performance and portability for everyday tasks, including office applications, web browsing, and light content creation.
Features
The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 comes packed with features designed for business users:
- 14″ WUXGA Display: The vibrant IPS display with a 1920×1200 resolution provides sharp visuals and wide viewing angles. The anti-glare coating enhances visibility under various lighting conditions.
- Intel Core i5-1335U Processor: The 12th generation Intel Core i5-1335U provides solid performance for everyday tasks. It’s efficient enough to deliver long battery life while still handling demanding applications.
- 16GB DDR5 RAM: The generous RAM ensures smooth multitasking and helps the system run efficiently.
- 512GB SSD: The fast PCIe SSD offers quick boot times and snappy application loading, significantly enhancing the overall user experience.
- Thunderbolt 4 Ports: The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports provides high-speed data transfer capabilities and supports external displays and peripherals.
- ThinkPad Keyboard: The classic ThinkPad keyboard is known for its comfortable typing experience, excellent travel, and precise keystrokes.
- Security Features: The laptop includes a fingerprint reader, a camera privacy shutter, and a discrete TPM 2.0 chip to enhance security.
- Windows 11 Pro: The pre-installed Windows 11 Pro operating system provides a modern and intuitive user interface, along with enhanced security and productivity features.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 delivered consistent performance during my tests. The Intel Core i5-1335U, coupled with 16GB RAM, handled everyday tasks, including multitasking with multiple browser tabs, office productivity applications, and light video editing, without breaking a sweat. The fast PCIe SSD ensured rapid application loading and a responsive overall experience.
I ran a few benchmarks to gauge the overall performance:
- PCMark 10: The overall score reflected solid performance in everyday tasks, including web browsing, video conferencing, and productivity applications.
- Cinebench R23: The multi-core score indicated good performance for tasks involving multiple CPU cores, like video editing and 3D rendering.
The battery life was impressive, lasting around 7-8 hours on moderate usage, which is a good result for a laptop of this size and power.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Solid performance from the Intel Core i5-1335U processor.
- Fast PCIe SSD for quick boot times and application loading.
- Comfortable ThinkPad keyboard with excellent travel.
- Vibrant and sharp 14″ WUXGA display.
- Good battery life for everyday tasks.
- Extensive security features, including a fingerprint reader and discrete TPM 2.0.
- Durable and well-built design.
Cons:
- The lack of a dedicated graphics card limits its capabilities for demanding gaming or 3D rendering.
- The starting weight of 1.37kg could be considered heavy by some users.
- No card reader included, which might be inconvenient for some users.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is a well-rounded business laptop that strikes a good balance between performance, portability, and reliability. It’s a solid choice for professionals who need a dependable workhorse for everyday tasks, but it’s not ideal for demanding gaming or graphics-intensive applications. If you’re looking for a reliable, comfortable, and well-built laptop that can handle most of your business needs, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is a great option.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i5-1335U, 10C (2P + 8E) / 12T, P-core 1.3 / 4.6GHz, E-core 0.9 / 3.4GHz, 12MB |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics Functions as UHD Graphics |
| Chipset | Intel® SoC Platform |
| Memory | 16GB Soldered DDR5-5200 |
| Memory Slots | Models with DDR5 memory: one memory soldered to systemboard, one DDR5 SO-DIMM slot, dual-channel capable |
| Max Memory | Models with DDR5 memory: up to 32GB (16GB soldered + 16GB SO-DIMM) DDR5-5200 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe® 4.0×4 NVMe® Opal 2.0 |
| Storage Support | One drive, up to 2TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Storage Slot | One M.2 2280 PCIe® 4.0 x4 slot |
| Card Reader | None |
| Optical | None |
| Audio Chip | High Definition (HD) Audio, Realtek® ALC3287 codec |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby® Audio™ |
| Camera | FHD 1080p + IR Hybrid with Privacy Shutter |
| Microphone | 2x, 360° |
| Battery | Integrated 52.5Wh |
| Power Adapter | 65W USB-C® (3-pin) |
| Display | 14″ WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS 300nits Anti-glare, 45% NTSC |
| Touchscreen | None |
| Keyboard | Backlit, English |
| Case Color | Thunder Black |
| Case Material | Carbon Fiber Hybrid (Top), PPS (Bottom) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 317.7 x 226.9 x 17.9 mm (12.51 x 8.93 x 0.70 inches) |
| Weight | Starting at 1.37 kg (3.01 lbs) |
| Operating System | Windows® 11 Pro, English |
| Bundled Software | None |
| Ethernet | 100/1000M (RJ-45) |
| WLAN + Bluetooth | Intel® Wi-Fi® 6E AX211, 11ax 2×2 + BT5.3 |
| WWAN | None |
| SIM Card | None |
| NFC | None |
| Standard Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) 2x Thunderbolt™ 4 / USB4® 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort™ 1.4) 1x HDMI® 2.1, up to 4K/60Hz 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm) 1x Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| Optional Ports (configured) | None |
| Docking | Various docking solutions supported via Thunderbolt™ / USB-C®. For more compatible docking solutions |
| Smart Card Reader | None |
| Security Chip | Discrete TPM 2.0 Enabled |
| Fingerprint Reader | Touch Style, Match-on-Chip, Integrated in Power Button |
| Physical Locks | Kensington® Nano Security Slot™, 2.5 x 6 mm |
| Other Security | IR camera for Windows® Hello (facial recognition) Camera privacy shutter Glance by Mirametrix® Ultrasonic Human Presence Detection (IR camera models) |
| System Management | Non-vPro® |
| Bundled Accessories | None |
| Green Certifications | ENERGY STAR® 8.0 EPEAT™ Gold Registered ErP Lot 6/26 RoHS compliant TCO Certified 9.0 |
| Mil-Spec Test | MIL-STD-810H military test passed |