Lenovo ThinkPad 14" T490s 2019, Core i7-8665U, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Black

The T490S is one of the lightest 14-inch laptops we've seen, hitting the 85th percentile for compactness. But that portability comes at a steep cost: the 6th-gen Core i7 CPU is in the 14th percentile, making this a slow machine by modern standards. Grab it only if you need a durable, ultra-light typing machine for basic tasks and can live with a mediocre screen.

Let's be real about the silicon inside. The Core i7-8665U is a 4-core chip from 2019, and our benchmarks place it near the bottom of the pack compared to modern laptops. You'll feel that in heavier multitasking or any kind of rendering work. The integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics are even more of a letdown for anything beyond streaming video, sitting in the 47th percentile, which explains the abysmal 13.6 out of 100 gaming score. On the flip side, the 16GB of DDR4 RAM is a saving grace for general office work, even if it's only in the 39th percentile overall. It keeps Windows 11 Pro feeling snappy during everyday tasks, and the 512GB SSD, while a middle-of-the-road performer, gives you enough room for a decent local file stash.

Stacked against something like the ASUS ExpertBook P5405CSA-DH76, the T490S gets absolutely smoked on CPU performance and screen quality, but it's also a fraction of the price. The Apple MacBook Pro M5 is in a different universe for speed and battery life, but again, you're comparing a $520 refurb to a machine that costs several times more. The HP OmniBook X Flip and Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro will both give you stunning OLED displays that make the T490S's 14th FHD panel look washed out and dim. The T490S's only real win in this company is its weight and the no-nonsense port array, which beats out most modern ultrabooks that force you into dongle life.

At $520 for a refurbished unit, you're paying for the ThinkPad badge and that legendary keyboard, not for raw power. The price-per-performance ratio is pretty rough if you look at the CPU and GPU scores alone. You can find newer consumer laptops with much faster chips for similar money. But they won't be 1.27kg, and they won't have this level of build quality or a port selection that includes Thunderbolt. You're buying a durable, lightweight shell for basic productivity, and on that front, the value is decent if you find a unit in good shape.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T490S is a refurbished business laptop that still knows how to travel light. At 1.27kg, it lands in the 85th percentile for compactness, making it one of the more portable 14-inch machines you can grab for around $520. The build quality is classic ThinkPad, and our reliability score puts it well above average, so it's not going to fall apart in your bag. But you're making a clear trade-off here: that slim chassis is packing a 6th-gen Intel Core i7 that's showing its age, landing in the 14th percentile for CPU performance. This isn't a speed demon, it's a durable typewriter with a great keyboard that can handle spreadsheets and a dozen browser tabs without much fuss.

Anyone who needs more than basic computing power should look elsewhere. The CPU is in the 14th percentile, so if you're compiling code, working with large datasets, or doing any creative work, this machine will test your patience. Gamers should absolutely skip it, the integrated graphics scored a dismal 13.6 out of 100. And if you care about having a bright, color-accurate display for watching movies or editing photos, the screen's 23rd percentile ranking will leave you disappointed. This is strictly a secondary machine or a dedicated writing tool.

The T490S is a purpose-built machine for a very specific person: someone who needs a featherweight, indestructible laptop for writing, email, and web apps, and doesn't care about having the latest tech. The CPU and screen are genuine letdowns, and you should only buy this if portability and keyboard feel are your absolute top priorities. For anyone who edits photos, compiles code, or keeps 50 tabs open, this chip will frustrate you. It's a well-built relic that's still useful, but only for light duty.