Housing design

◆ Merit MIL-STD-810G, Drip-proof port with many excellent keyboard CPUs and displays

◆ Disadvantages The minimum configuration of the battery display that is not larger than the weight is 720P

◆ Overall evaluation: 8.9 / 10

Lenovo's ThinkPad T490, which was released in early 2019, is an all -in -one business laptop that allows all configurations and can be used for various roles, from office workers to developers and creators.

Users who consider T490 may be compared to other Lenovo laptops, including various T4XX variants such as X1 Carbon, ThinkPad X390, T490S and T495 (AMD CPU).For models other than Lenovo, MacBook Pro often rises to candidates.

◆ Outline of specifications This configuration used for the test: Intel i7-8565U + Intel 620 HD GPU, 16GB, 2560 × 1440 IPS LCD

Lenovo.com has four CPU options: Core i5-8265U, Core i5-8365U, Core i7-8565U, and Core i7-8665U.

The default graphic processor is Intel integrated GPU, but at least one SKU has a NVIDIA GeForce MX250 as an option, doubles the graphic performance than the built -in GPU.

RAM has 8GB or 16GB fixed to the motherboard.Since there is one replacement port, you can use up to 48GB by adding up to 32GB of Dimm module.

SSD NVME storage options include 256GB, 512GB and 1024GB.The display options will be explained in the second half of the review.

The ThinkPad T490 has a drip -proof keyboard and a MIL specification, and has a soft black paint finish and has a general appearance and feel like a sturdy ThinkPad family.If you look at it in detail, you can immediately see the difference from an ultra -light laptop like X1 Carbon.ThinkPadt490 is slightly heavier than the X1 Carbon (1.35 kg), but weighs 1.5 kg, remains a thin laptop category.

The chassis in the housing is made of a glass fiber mixed with resin.

MacBook Pro 13 (2019) is about 6 % lighter than ThinkPad T490, but the T490 housing size is about 30 % smaller.That said, the keyboard of the MacBook Pro is very shallow, there is no MIL specification, and there are not many ports.

As mentioned above, the keyboard is a typical "ThinkPad keyboard", with a comfortable 1.3mm key, curved key, and drip -proof.In other words, you can have a perfect typing experience.

This keyboard has a backlight that can be adjusted in two stages.

The trackpad is slightly larger than the X1 Carbon trackpad (increased 18 % in the surface area).MacBook Pro and some other models have oversized trackpads, so they are not larger than other models.

◆ Port / 2 × USB Type-A, 3.1 Gen1 ・ 1 × USB Type C, Thunderbolt3 ・ 1 × USB Type C, 3.1 GEN1 ・ 1 × HDMI1.4 ・ 1 × Ethernet, RJ45 ・ 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × MicroSDXC ・ TheftThe number of prevention slots x 1, Kenzington, 3.5mm audio x 1 port is large, so it has a relatively thick (17.9mm) design.The great thing about this laptop is that you don't need to prepare HDMI or Ethernet dongle when you really need it.

The USB-C terminal of Thunderbolt 3 allows you to connect to various devices such as external monitors, GPUs, and docking solutions.

Because there is an SD card reader, it is easy when you need to copy the data from the SD card.

The sound system of ThinkPad T490 is composed of two upward two speakers.They are hidden behind the grill at the bottom of the screen.

Although the sound quality is decent, the Dolby Premium is not comparable to the sound bar of ThinkPad X1 Carbon's quad speaker system and the sound bar of Lenovo Yoga C930, one of the highest sound quality we have heard.It will be enough for video conferences and casual movies.

Lenovo has provided a wide range of display options in many laptops, but T490 is one of them.With more than 6 display options, you will find the best one for everyone.

The review unit is equipped with the highest quality WQHD IPS LCD panel.The resolution of 2560 x 1440 is clear, and the maximum brightness is 519nit, 4 % higher than the 500NIT specification.

It supports the color gamut of 100 % Adobe RGB and has excellent colors.This panel is definitely a valuable option for creative users who work in photos and videos.This is especially true, considering the CPU/GPU/RAM options described later.

◆ Display option default: HD TN anti -glare (1366 × 768, 250nit) and +76 FHD IPS (1920 × 1080, 250nit), low -color range and $ 182 FHD IPS touch screen (1920 × 1080, 300nit), lowColor gamut, +182 for $ +182 for FHD IPS and PrivacyGuard (1920 × 1080, 400nit) and +187 for FHD IPS low power (1920 × 1080, 400nit) ・ +349 WQHD IPS and DolbyVision (2560 × 140 Nit, 100 %, 100 %RGB)

FHD's "Low Power" is particularly interested in those who value battery life.Even a little cheaper option can save a little power by lowering the brightness of the display, but it is the color gamut (~ 70 % SRGB) that should be avoided if you do a creative job.

I was surprised that the low -brightness and low -color 720P options were displayed as the default choice.There is no problem with the use for administrative work, but it is convenient to have at least a 1080p display.

The webcam on the display is a typical 720p model that can be recorded in 30fps.There is no problem with video conferences.

It has a physical shutter that blocks camera lenses to protect privacy.This can withstand hacking and is much elegant than tape and post -it.

From the viewpoint of computing, ThinkPad T490 has a maximum of 48GB of RAM and discrete GPU options, so it can be extended than most laptops.This is especially attractive if you need to do heavy image processing work.

The basic model is equipped with a 8GB RAM, but if you upgrade a processor, it can be a minimum of 16GB.Additional memory can be added in the form of a DIMM slot, and users can upgrade.

Only the Intel 8 -generation CPU can be used for the CPU.Some use VPro and some are not used.

◆ CPU Options Core i5-8265U (Base) Core i5-8365U (+ $ 182) Core i7-8565U, 16GB or more (+182) -It-test machine composition Core i7-8665U, 16GB or more (+ $ 409)

At present, the performance of the system is very similar to other computers with the same CPU/GPU/display resolution.The main advantage of ThinkPad T490 is to use up to 48GB RAM.This allows you to use the apps that intensively use Photoshop, Premiere, or other memory.

For comparison, only 16GB LPDDR3 RAM can be used in MacBook Pro 13, and T490 can use 48GB LPDDR4 RAM.MacBook Pro 15 is up to 32GB.

As the game benchmark shows, there are two options if you need higher performance.You can switch to Intel 10 -generation processor (XPS 13 7390 i7) or select a combination of discrete GPU and CPU, such as NVIDIA GeForce MX (the above T480s and Matebook X i7).

From a wireless connection perspective, Lenovo offers excellent WiFi AC (WiFi-5) and 4G LTE connection options.

The battery capacity of 50Wh is standard, but the average is slightly lower in a thin lightweight category.For example, MacBook Pro 13 packs a 58Wh battery ( + 16 %).

Compared to X1 Carbon, Dell XPS 13, Matebook X Pro, and ThinkPad T480, they all have excellent battery capacity per weight.

Fortunately, Lenovo has high -speed charging RapidCharge.This is a technology to charge the battery at a speed of 40Wh per hour, but it can actually reach 47Wh per hour.

The standard PCMark 8 Work Battery test gave me the result of continuous use of 6 hours and 38 minutes, but this is not a bad result, but high -resolution displays consume much more power than 1080p. Please note in particular.

Also, don't forget that Lenovo has a low power display option.Changing the screen will increase the battery life by 30 % to 50 %.Conversely, adding a discrete GPU option consumes more power.Forget the benchmark and think from the power of the entire system for the battery size.

The system benchmark is not very important unless you purchase exactly the same model because you can change the laptop configuration in various ways when ordering.

The battery test does not indicate the actual usage, as the app settings, background tasks, brightness, and network conditions are always different.The most important part of the battery life is to examine the battery capacity and the power -based line (CPU thermal design point, or TDP).

The Lenovo T490 is designed as a business laptop.It has many advantages, including flexible configuration options and large amounts of ports, thin body and glamor design.

However, at the starting price of $ 1300, Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen7 offers a much lighter chassis and excellent screen.

The ThinkPad T490 can handle a wide range of markets, from those who handle only black and white documents to creatives who want excellent color and high -speed graphic processing.

This will be a recommended model for ThinkPad from the IT department's point of view, as it can be useful for so many people.If you are concerned about your budget, there is still room for ThinkPad T480S because the previous model is still on sale.

Comprehensive product evaluation: 8.9 / 10

This article was translated and edited by the editorial department for Japan.

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