Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21HDCTO1WW) Review
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is a powerful and portable 14-inch laptop designed for professionals who demand both performance and durability. With its Intel Core i7-1355U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD, this laptop is capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4’s features, performance, battery life, and more to see if it’s the right laptop for you.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is the latest iteration of Lenovo’s popular ThinkPad T series, known for its durability, reliability, and business-focused features. This generation boasts an impressive upgrade in performance thanks to the new 13th Gen Intel processors, as well as a refined design with a vibrant 14-inch WUXGA IPS display.
Features
The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is packed with features that cater to both productivity and security. Some notable highlights include:
- 14-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS Touch Display: The display offers sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for viewing photos, videos, and documents. The touchscreen functionality adds an extra layer of convenience for navigating and interacting with the operating system.
- Intel Core i7-1355U Processor: With 10 cores (2 Performance and 8 Efficiency) and a maximum boost clock speed of 5.0 GHz, this powerful processor delivers exceptional performance for demanding tasks, such as video editing, multi-tasking, and software development.
- 16GB DDR5 RAM: The ample RAM ensures smooth multitasking and responsiveness, even when running multiple applications simultaneously.
- 512GB SSD: The fast PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD provides quick boot times, fast application loading, and ample storage for your files and programs.
- Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics: The integrated graphics deliver smooth visuals for everyday tasks and light gaming. You’ll be able to enjoy casual games and video editing without needing a dedicated graphics card.
- Backlit Keyboard: The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4’s keyboard is renowned for its comfortable typing experience. The backlit keys make it easy to work in low-light conditions.
- Thunderbolt 4 Ports: The Thunderbolt 4 ports offer blazing-fast data transfer speeds, support for external displays, and the ability to charge your laptop.
- Security Features: The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 includes a range of security features, such as a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication and a discrete TPM 2.0 chip for secure hardware-based encryption.
Performance
The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 delivers impressive performance for both everyday tasks and demanding workloads. The Intel Core i7-1355U processor combined with 16GB of RAM handles multitasking with ease. During our testing, we were able to run multiple demanding applications, such as video editing software and web browsers, simultaneously without noticeable lag. The PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD ensured quick boot times and fast application loading.
For gamers, the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics delivers smooth visuals for casual games and light gaming. You won’t be able to play the latest AAA titles at high settings, but for less demanding games and video editing, it’s a capable performer.
Battery Life
The ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 boasts an impressive battery life. With its 52.5Wh battery, we were able to get around 8-9 hours of mixed usage, which includes web browsing, document editing, and light video streaming. If you’re a heavy user who runs demanding applications, your battery life will be slightly shorter. However, the 65W USB-C adapter provides fast charging, allowing you to quickly top off the battery when needed.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4’s pros and cons:
Pros:
- Powerful performance with the Intel Core i7-1355U processor
- Comfortable and responsive keyboard
- Long battery life
- Durable and reliable design
- Secure with a fingerprint reader and TPM 2.0 chip
- Excellent display with vibrant colors and touchscreen functionality
Cons:
- The speakers could be louder
- No dedicated graphics card for high-performance gaming
- The starting price may be high for some users
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is an excellent choice for professionals who need a powerful, portable, and reliable laptop. Its impressive performance, long battery life, comfortable keyboard, and secure features make it a standout option for both everyday tasks and demanding workloads. While the speakers could be louder and a dedicated graphics card would be a welcome addition, the overall value of the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 makes it a highly recommended laptop for professionals and students alike.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7-1355U, 10C (2P + 8E) / 12T, P-core 1.7 / 5.0GHz, E-core 1.2 / 3.7GHz, 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 | HD 720p with Privacy Shutter |
| Microphone | 2x, 360° |
| Battery | Integrated 52.5Wh |
| Power Adapter | 65W USB-C® (3-pin) |
| Display | 14″ WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS Touch 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 1.36 kg (3.01 lbs) |
| Operating System | Windows® 11 DG Windows 10 Pro 64, Arabic / English |
| Bundled Software | None |
| Ethernet | 100/1000M (RJ-45) |
| WLAN + Bluetooth | Intel® Wi-Fi® 6E AX211, 11ax 2×2 + BT5.1 |
| WWAN | WWAN Upgradable to 4G |
| SIM Card | None |
| NFC | None |
| Standard Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 11x 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/60Hz1x Ethernet (RJ-45)1x Headphone/microphone combo jack (3.5mm) |
| Optional Ports (configured) | 1x Smart Card Reader1x Nano-SIM Card Slot |
| Docking | Various docking solutions are supported via Thunderbolt™ / USB-C®. For more compatible docking solutions |
| Monitor Cable | None |
| Smart Card Reader | Smart Card Reader |
| 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 | Camera privacy shutterGlance by Mirametrix® |
| System Management | Non-vPro® |
| Bundled Accessories | None |
| Green Certifications | ENERGY STAR® 8.0EPEAT™ Gold RegisteredErP Lot 6/26TCO Certified 9.0RoHS compliant |
| Mil-Spec Test | MIL-STD-810H military test passed |