When is a ThinkPad no longer a ThinkPad? As a fan of the brand, I had to ask that question to write this review of the T490s. It looks and feels the part, but mainstream compromises might put off brand devotees.
With its unmistakable keyboard and TrackPoint mouse—not to mention the button-down looks—no one’s going to mistake the T490s for anything other than a member of the long-standing laptop family. But in shaving down its dimensions and weight, Lenovo has also removed quite a few features from last year’s model—most notably the SD card reader and integrated Ethernet port.
The result is a laptop that has more in common with mainstream thin-and-light models than Lenovo’s legendary line. These changes might appeal to the more conventional consumer. However, business professionals and heavy travelers (formerly the main market for the T-series) might find they miss the flexibility and utility of last year’s design. They’ll surely miss the extended runtime of the older, dual-battery models, as well.
Looking the Part
With an all-black, magnesium alloy and carbon fiber chassis, the T490s is remarkably understated to be so high-tech. Open it up, and you’re greeted with the updated, chicklet-style version of the classic ThinkPad keyboard (backlight optional). And, of course, the iconic TrackPoint mouse is there, with its three-button control cluster above a medium-sized trackpad. A fingerprint reader (standard, not optional) sits to the side.
With the laptop open, take note of the thinner bezels. The webcam on our review unit is equipped with an optional infrared sensor for Windows Hello and similar security tools. The standard 720p webcam has a manual shutter you can slide over for peace of mind. The 14-inch screen is standard 1080p resolution with just 250 nits of brightness—disappointing, but fairly normal for the T series. A brighter, sharper screen is available as an upgrade, or you can opt for the multi-touch. The base screen is nice and matte, which is all the better for traveling. The speakers are surprisingly loud, but less than clear, as bottom-firing types tend to be.
The bezel and body aren’t tiny by any means—certainly not when compared to more svelte, stylish laptops. But the 0.63-inch-thick machine weighs just 2.8 pounds, placing it among the lightest in Lenovo’s lineup. It’s just thin and skinny enough to slip into my Peak Design messenger bag, which is designed for the 13-inch MacBook Pro. That’s a definite improvement over previous members of the T4XXs family.
The Mystery of the Vanishing Ports
On the right, there’s a single rectangular USB-A port, a Kensington lock slot, and a spot for a smart card reader most people won’t even recognize (the reader hardware wasn’t there on our review unit). The left side is where most of the “port action” is, with two USB-C ports arranged in a specific way to enable access for Lenovo’s first-party dock. A standard USB-A (3.1) and HDMI port, and a combined microphone/headphone jack round things out. Power from the 60-watt adapter can go into either USB-C port.
What’s that weird trapezoidal port awkwardly hanging off the second USB-C hole, you ask? It’s a proprietary spot to stick an Ethernet adapter since the chassis is no longer tall enough to handle a standard Ethernet cable. Last year’s T480s had a neat sliding port that collapsed when not in use. But the T490s can’t be bothered with one, and you have to pay extra for the proprietary dongle adapter if you don’t have a USB-to-Ethernet tool already. Presumably, the proprietary port is there for better dock compatibility.
Another notable omission from last year’s revision is the full-size SD card slot. To most, that might seem like a trivial exclusion in the days of insanely powerful phone cameras. However, for me, it makes the T490s more cumbersome on a conference trip, as the SD card slot is the fastest way to get show floor photos off my mirrorless camera.
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Source : The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s Is a Solid Laptop with an Identity Crisis
