The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has been a long-running, highly respected line of laptops that have been around since the early 1990s. In 2020 though, Lenovo is releasing its successor: The ThinkPad T590. This latest model will be called a “laptop for business,” and it might just change what you think about computers in general!
The “lenovo t490” is a laptop that was released in 2020. The T490 features up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. It has a 15.6 inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution.
We put the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 to the test and compared it against the ThinkPad T490 in terms of performance, display quality, portability, price, battery life, and more.
The rankings with test results can be seen above, while detailed reports on each Lenovo ThinkPad Laptop can be found below.
Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is ranked first.
- Excellent Workstation Performance and Presentation
- SSD Storage that is both large and fast
- Life of the battery is extended and there is a guarantee.
- More costly than the ThinkPad T590
The most crucial information:
- 8GB RAM / 512GB SSD / 14′′ FullHD Panel Intel Core i5-8265U (400 nits)
- 329 x 227 x 18.9 mm, 3.22 pounds Dimensions and weight
- Included is a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty on-site.
Ports & Design
After unboxing, my initial impression was:
The Thinkpad T490 is much flatter and lighter than my T440s, which is nearly four years old. Overall, it’s quite stylish and dark. The equipment has a solid and expensive feel about it. In contrast to prior Thinkpads, which feel like hard plastic, the surface is “rubberized,” giving it a gentler feel.
A strong rubber odor is also visible, although after three weeks, it is scarcely detectable. The display cover is secure, and the hinges are securely fastened. Positive: It can easily be opened with with one hand. Overall, it’s both useful and fashionable.
With the exception of the SIM card slot, which is located on the rear, the interfaces are placed on the left and right. A word of caution concerning the USB 3 ports: they are really stiff.
On the left, USB-C [AC power] / USB-C Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C / USB 3.1 (Gen 1) / HDMI / Headphone – mic combination & MicroSD card reader; on the right, USB-C / USB 3.1 (Gen 1) / HDMI / Headphone – mic combo & MicroSD card reader
Smart card reader / USB 3.1 (Gen 1) / RJ45 & Kensington lock hole on the right side
Touchpad & Keyboard
Since the 30 series, the backlit keyboard has been almost identical to the 14-inch tablets. Positive: A status LED has been re-integrated into the shift key. The scaled down image up and down keys take some getting accustomed to.
Fn + space bar may be used to cycle between the two-stage backlighting, as previously. (brighter, brighter, brighter, brighter, brighter, brighter, brighter, It dazzles more than letters shine depending on the viewing angle, which is typical Lenovo. But it’s still fantastic in low-light situations.
The keys are a little less smooth and softer than on previous backlit keyboards (from the 1940s). When typing, they don’t clatter at all, but the keystrokes are more powerfully communicated to the tabletop than on previous versions.
The F-keys are located on the top row of the keyboard, with a slight space between every four keys. I enjoy this after a brief trial with the “ThinkPad small keyboard with TrackPoint 0B47222.” The control functions are also allocated to the F-keys (volume, screen brightness, etc.). With Fn, the desired functionality may be chosen, and with Fn + Esc, the desired functionality can be permanently selected.
The keyboard itself is excellent; there is nothing to criticize. Clearly defined pressure point, nice haptics, and sufficient stroke, but not as much as in previous T versions.
The touchpad, which now has three mouse buttons above it, has grown in size. Unfortunately, the surface is not composed of “glass,” but of plastic, and hence feels a little rough.
I switched off my trackpoint because I was continually inadvertently initiating mouse movements with the palms of my hands while typing.
The Windows driver no longer provides its own surface, as it did in previous editions. The trackpoint and touchpad work well together, as do the Windows gestures (e.g. dragging three fingers down).
Display
“Power-saving Full-HD-IPS display (1,920 x 1,080, 400 cd/m2),” Lenovo says of the anti-reflective 14-inch display. This is one of the current high-quality alternatives available. The T490, on the other hand, may be outfitted with
Anti-reflective HD-TN display (1,920 x 1,080, 250 cd/m2) Full-HD IPS display (1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 250 cd/m2) Touchscreen with Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 300 cd/m2) (1,920 x 1,080, 400 cd/m2) Full-HD-IPS with PrivacyGuard It is possible to purchase a WQHD-IPS with Dolby Vision® (2,560 x 1,440, 500 cd/m2, 100 percent Adobe color space coverage) display. Unfortunately, the WQHD display is glossy.
Lenovo employs screens from a variety of manufacturers under the same brand name. The test gadget is equipped with a BOE NE140FHM-N61.
The initial impression was really favorable. The bios, and eventually the operating system, greet you with bright, crisp, and uniformly lighted illumination. Subjectively, the color reproduction is likewise satisfactory. During the exam, I had the following impressions:
- high contrast
- The color black is really black.
- The brightness is very enough.
- “As printed” is written in the typeface.
- Videos play without a hitch (Linux, Windows)
- During quick motions, the mouse cursor makes a trail on a dark backdrop (Windows)
- page up and page down Under Firefox, there is little latency and Screen Bleeding is capped.
- This display is much superior than older TN panels in terms of usability. The “slow” changeover time might be annoying at times. Calibration may be necessary for significant picture processing.
The camera has a motorized iris and is situated centrally above the LCD. This prevents the removal from taking place. The cover may still be folded 180 degrees, although it significantly raises the device at the rear.
Sound
The gadget came with Bios Version 1.08 when I first got it. Unless the sound card is silenced (Fn + F1), the loudspeakers are continually noisy with this Bios version. You may at least save the manual muting after updating to Ver. 1.09; the noise only happens when audio is also playing.
The noise’s loudness remains constant, does not become louder with increasing volume, and is even more irritating at low levels. There are no new features in the current Bios Ver. 1.44.
In contrast to prior Thinkpads, the T490’s loudspeakers are again located above the keyboard and sound fairly robust. There’s little to no bass, and the mid- and high-frequency ranges are thin yet clear. Under Windows, the Dolby driver program may still boost the sound quite a bit.
For example, with the T440s, I use the following settings, which enable the stereo effect to be extended somewhat allowing you to comprehend movies from Vol. 10 rather than Vol. 50:
Performance
The built-in Core i5-8265U has four actual cores and eight threads, and it supports “VT-d” in addition to “VT-x” in comparison to simpler versions. In the bios, both settings may be activated. The motherboard is soldered with the 8 GB RAM.
A 512 GB SAMSUNG MZVLB512HBJQ-000L7 is utilized as mass storage and is linked through PCIe 3.0.
The internal 50Wh Lithium-Polymer battery has three cells. Lenovo claims a 16-hour battery life. “RapidCharge: 65W USB-C Adapter 80 percent in 1 hour,” according to the provided 65W power supply. In the test, the rapid charge feature also performed as expected.
The benchmark results are as follows (in mains mode, bios setting “maximum performance,” driver, and Windows 10 default settings).
- CPu Score: 2126 / 3DMark -> Graphics Score: 327
- Cinebench R15 determined: 43.12 frames per second / 485 frames per second
- Single-Core 4427 / Multi-Core 12585 in Geekbench 4.3.3 Bios 1.09
According to the test findings, the Samsung SSD has four lanes and is blazing fast in practice, so there’s nothing to complain about.
Bitlocker is undetectable in software, and the sandbox is activated in a matter of seconds. Top!
However, owing to a constantly running fan and a device that is “hot” on the bottom, the relatively high performance also results in considerable power consumption, which was notably visible during the PCMark testing. Under load, the T490 should not be placed on its feet. In comparison to my T440s, the fan’s loudness is extremely high, and it often starts up under Windows even under little use.
Alternatively, the gadget is presently available with an i7 CPU and Nvidia GPU; but, considering the test device’s heat development, I’m not sure whether this makes sense. TPFanControl works in theory, however it also reports a second sensor (pwr) in addition to the CPU. During the testing, I didn’t deal with it.
Under Linux and Windows 10, the soldered Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 ac/a/b/g/n (867 / 1734 Mbps) module worked properly.
On the T490, how does Linux work?
In a nutshell, it was excellent and a lot of fun. TLP 1A is used to regulate the battery (lower charge threshold, force discharge & still full charge if needed). When connected to a router, the WiFi card may be turned off automatically using tlp-rdw, and when the cable is pulled, it is immediately turned back on.
In comparison to my T440s, the battery life is phenomenal; I haven’t been able to put enough strain on it; it just lasts too long. You should get 8 hours or more with WiFi, Firefox, and a light load.
Unfortunately, I was unable to test it in its entirety. DVDs play properly under Linux using the VLC player; however, the sound must be adjusted to at least 50% of the original volume, and it is still rather weak/thin.
A spontaneous practical test was made: a video phone call to an Indian contact center functioned under Linux, indicating that the camera is also functional.
Verdict
The display and the excellent Linux compatibility would be sufficient reasons to purchase. The huge and fast SSD, battery life, and computational power are all favorable, which is why the ThinkPad T490 is ranked #1 above the ThinkPad T590.
Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is ranked second.
- Battery life is excellent.
- It’s less expensive than the ThinkPad T490.
- Input devices that are very pleasant to use, such as a keyboard with a number pad
- Full HD screen that’s not up to par
The display had left me alone. The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is a bigger variant of the ThinkPad T490, which is quite popular. The ThinkPad T590 is the lightest 15.6-inch ThinkPad in the T Series to date, thanks to its bigger casing. However, it falls short of its smaller sister model in one key area.
The T series, which is part of Lenovo’s ThinkPad portfolio, is very essential, especially for versions with a 14-inch display. The Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad T series, on the other hand, is also available with 15.6-inch displays, which get much less media attention and are likely to sell poorly.
Nonetheless, they are intriguing computers since not everyone wants to use a laptop with a 14-inch display, and the T series’ 15.6-inch variants are designed to combine ThinkPad features with a bigger screen area.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590, the newest model in the T series with a 15.6-inch display, is our current test device. It is the ninth model in the ThinkPad T500 series, after the ThinkPad T580.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is substantially more comparable to the ThinkPad T490 than the ThinkPad T490s when compared to its smaller sister models in the T series. As a result, we’ll compare the ThinkPad T590 against the ThinkPad T490 in great depth.
Other manufacturers’ business laptop comparison devices are available. Above all, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is up against the HP EliteBook 850 G5, the Dell Latitude 5590, and the Fujitsu LifeBook U758.
Our test gadget is identified by the model number 20N4002VGE. An i7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, a 512 GB SSD, LTE, a Full HD display, and the Nvidia GeForce MX250 are included in this configuration. This upmarket option is now available for roughly $900 in the United States.
Ports & Design
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 has been redesigned in the same way as the previous T series models. The casing has been totally changed in comparison to the ThinkPad T580, and there is also consistency in many places, as is characteristic of ThinkPad.
The casing is still black (with a few splashes of color, such as the TrackPoint), and the hinges are still drop-down hinges with silver metal covers that allow for a 180-degree opening angle. You have a strong grip on the lid and can open it with one hand as well.
The speaker grille, which Lenovo placed above the keyboard directly between the hinges, is a novel design element on the interior and a shared feature with the Lenovo ThinkPad T490. Furthermore, the bottom of the base unit is less rounded than on the ThinkPad T580.
The case’s outside shell is nearly completely made of fiberglass composite material, according to Lenovo. In addition, the bottom part of the casing is strengthened with a magnesium frame, which Lenovo has adapted from the ThinkPad T580’s core design. However, the material has altered significantly on the outside. The bottom half of the ThinkPad T580’s casing was not varnished, but it was made of rough plastic on the exterior — the haptics of the earlier 15-inch variant were quite inexpensive for a mid-range computer.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 improves on the previous model by having the whole case varnished or rubberized, exactly as the Lenovo ThinkPad T490. This surface is silky smooth and has a gentle touch, making it seem much more precious than the bare plastic of the prior model. The material, on the other hand, is dirt-sensitive.
In terms of quality, there’s absolutely nothing to dislike about the Lenovo ThinkPad T590. The base unit is very sturdy and can only be gently bent. Additionally, you are unable to push in the wrist-rest and keyboard areas. The quality of the case was also excellent. The display cover is the case’s weakest point, since it can be bent much more than the base unit and rapidly transmits pressure to the LCD screen.
However, in normal usage, this should not be a cause for worry. The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is a reasonably durable laptop that should hold up well in an office setting or on business excursions.
The size difference between the 14-inch Lenovo ThinkPad T490s and the ThinkPad T490s is noticeable. In contrast, the ThinkPad T590 is the smallest of the 15.6-inch business laptops. The proportions have been somewhat tweaked in comparison to the ThinkPad T580.
The ThinkPad T590’s casing is a few millimeters shorter, with a somewhat smaller display bezel underneath the screen.
More has changed in terms of weight, with the ThinkPad T590 weighing around 0.44 lbs less than its predecessor. Our test device is still a heftier variant; the ThinkPad T590 without a dedicated GPU should weigh around a pound less. Although the weight difference between the ThinkPad T590 and the ThinkPad T490 remains significant, the ThinkPad T590 is at least as light as certain previous 14-inch T-ThinkPads. The 15.6-inch versions used to be genuine rascals, but they’ve become pretty portable in recent years.
In compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad T580, the connection has little altered despite the makeover. A microSD card slot has replaced the full-size SD card slot. Otherwise, the number and configuration of ports remain unchanged.
This implies that the ThinkPad T590, for example, still has just one Thunderbolt 3 connector linked to two PCIe lanes. The most significant limitation as a consequence of this is: You can only use one external 4K UHD monitor (3.840 x 2.160) with a refresh rate of 60 Hz when utilizing a dock.
The connections themselves are almost identical, although they’re at different places. The majority of the ports on the ThinkPad T580 are now on the left, which is also related to the fact that the fan outlets are now on the right — right-handed mouse users may have to deal with heated hands. On the plus side, you now get USB-A ports on both sides, giving you more options when it comes to plugging in USB devices. Unless you intended to utilize a USB-C adaptor, the prior model needed USB-A devices to be plugged in on the right-hand side.
Last year, all T Series ThinkPads came with a full-size SD card reader, but none are available this year. In the huge Lenovo ThinkPad T590, Lenovo does away with the SD card reader in favor of a microSD card reader. This is inexplicable since there would be plenty of room for a full-size SD card reader.
The performance of the microSD card reader in the benchmarks using the reference memory card, Toshiba Exceria Pro M501 UHS-II, is similar to that of the SD card reader in the Lenovo ThinkPad T580. As a result, the microSD card reader is on par with the SD card reader on the Fujitsu LifeBook U758. In exchange, the Dell Latitude 5590’s full-size SD card reader is more than twice as powerful. The only 15-inch business laptop without an SD card reader is the HP EliteBook 850 G5.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590’s WiFi module is the Intel Wireless AC 9560, a contemporary Intel 22 solution. It performed well on the benchmark test as well as in regular usage. In addition to the wireless local connection, the ThinkPad T590 has the Intel I219-V module, which includes Bluetooth 5.0 and Ethernet – the appropriate RJ45 connector is located on the right side of the casing.
WWAN in the form of an LTE card named Fibocom L830-EB, which is installed into our model ex factory, completes the picture. The ThinkPad T590 may be ordered with an integrated NFC module as an option.
The picture captured by the camera is a little blurry and noisy. The camera is just barely acceptable for video telephony when combined with the microphones, which at least capture speech rather effectively.
Upgradability & Safety
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 contains a comprehensive variety of security protections not present on consumer laptops, as is typical of corporate computers. On the right side of the casing, for example, there is a smart card slot as well as a Kensington lock slot. Fingerprint sensors are increasingly available in laptops for private consumers, and the ThinkPad notebook, which is a touch-based type, is no exception.
There’s also an infrared camera that can be utilized for facial recognition instead of the fingerprint reader for speedy and safe Windows Hello login.
In terms of size, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is a bigger version of the ThinkPad T490. As a result, it makes every effort to make its design as maintainable as possible. That is to say, in order to reach the inside, you must first remove the base tray. This is held in place by a slew of screws and clips (which get jammed in the casing). In addition, the SIM slot on the rear of the case must be removed before the base tray can be removed.
The opening of the clips, in particular, may be problematic; use caution and avoid exerting too much power. The clips on the back must be unfastened first, followed by the clips on the sides. The bottom tray may be removed after the clips and screws have been undone – the clips on the front edge do not need to be released since they open automatically when the maintenance flap is pushed forward.
If you shut the case again, the front clips become a little stumbling block since you must hook them one by one before screwing the case back on – otherwise, the case may not close correctly.
When you look at Lenovo’s Hardware Maintenance Manual for the ThinkPad T590, you’ll see that the similarities with the ThinkPad T490 extend much beyond the outward appearance. The motherboards of the two ThinkPads are identical, making the ThinkPad T590 a bigger version of the ThinkPad T490.
As a result, the ThinkPad T590 overcomes the T490’s constraints in terms of upgradability and maintenance: Because there is just one SO-DIMM slot, the RAM is partly soldered but still upgradeable. With 8 GB soldered RAM, our test device can hold up to 40 GB of data. The limit grows to 48 GB if the model includes 16 GB soldered RAM. Lenovo employs Intel’s CNVi technology, which partly transfers the WiFi module inside the CPU, therefore the WiFi module is also soldered. In exchange, the M.2-2280 SSD may be upgraded.
You might alternatively update the WWAN module, which is already installed on our test device. Because there were two RAM slots in the previous model and the WiFi module wasn’t soldered yet, upgradeability has deteriorated when compared to the ThinkPad T580.
The internal battery is just screwed in place, rather than being cemented or soldered. You may also clean the cooling system and, if required, replace the thermal paste. Should the keyboard become faulty, the user may simply replace it.
Touchpad & Keyboard
Lenovo did not experiment with the keyboard since the two-stage backlit keyboard on the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is fairly similar to the keyboard on the Lenovo ThinkPad T580. Because of the existing number pad, the chiclet keys are organized in a configuration with six vertical rows of keys, and the keyboard takes up the whole width of the casing.
However, owing to the number pad, several keys on the main keypad had to be decreased in size, such as the keys to the left of the Enter key and the keys to the right of the space bar. This implies that the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has a full-size keyboard, whilst the bigger Lenovo ThinkPad T590 has a smaller layout due to the number pad. Instead of downsizing the primary keypad, Lenovo should utilize a smaller number pad, in our view.
It may take some time to adjust to the reduced layout. Aside from that, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590’s keyboard meets or exceeds our expectations. By today’s standards, the keys feature a long stroke of 1.7 mm and a very pleasing pressure point that is neither too firm nor too soft.
The keys’ typing noise isn’t loud, but rather muted, and the smooth surface of the slightly concave, rounded keys nestles delightfully against the skin. Such keyboards will appeal to frequent typists, particularly since the keyboard is also entirely stable when integrated in the casing. This is a vital consideration since an excellent keyboard might deliver a poor typing experience if the casing is unstable.
The touch-sensitive surface of the trackpad is the same size as that of the ThinkPad T580 notebook – 10 x 7 cm. Lenovo doesn’t modify the touchpad’s material, though; the ThinkPad T series’ touchpads are still mostly comprised of plastic.
This has a smooth surface that allows for decent sliding, but it doesn’t feel as high-quality as similar glass surfaces. Because it’s a clickpad, you may push the trackpad’s surface into the bottom two-thirds. The click mechanism is precise, and the clicks aren’t too loud. The surface is completely steady if you just slide your finger over it; we couldn’t detect any shaking.
There’s nothing to complain about in terms of software; the touchpad is incredibly accurate, and multi-touch gestures are performed neatly and swiftly. Overall, although it isn’t the finest touchpad, it is a pretty nice one.
Lenovo, like virtually other ThinkPads, has a red TrackPoint in addition to the touchpad. The poiting stick (which comes from Synaptics in this instance) enables the user to manipulate the mouse pointer precisely without having to take his hand away from the keyboard.
The three buttons above the touchpad that are associated with the TrackPoint all have a short stroke and a specified pressure point. The middle mouse button may be used for scrolling or as a traditional middle mouse button.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590’s screen, although comparable to that of the Lenovo ThinkPad T490, is not one of them. This is due not just to the difference in size (15.6 inches vs. 14), but also to Lenovo’s display selections. Unlike the smaller sister model, all three LCD choices are matte IPS panels; there is no glossy or TN option.
Lenovo does not provide an HD display (1,366 x 768) on the ThinkPad T590. The display resolution of the ThinkPad T590 is always at least 1,920 x 1,080 (Full HD). Lenovo provides two Full-HD monitors, one of which allows on-cell touch and the other of which is a non-touch panel. According to Lenovo’s data sheet, the two Full-HD displays have a brightness rating of 250 cd/m2 and only 45 percent NTSC color gamut coverage.
A 4K UHD display (3,840 x 2,160) is the third LCD option, which is meant to double the brightness value of 500 cd/m2 and cover 100% of the AdobeRGB color gamut. Because this display is obviously the more expensive choice, it also supports Dolby Vision HDR.
A better resolution Full HD option is unavailable in compared to the ThinkPad T490. As a result, customers are limited to either subpar Full HD screens or the massive jump to 4K UHD panels, which may be overkill for many.
We’re evaluating a model with a Full-HD monitor, which is the non-touch variation, since the 4K-UHD display is now unavailable. With an average brightness of 262 cd/m2, the display surpasses the declared brightness rating of 250 cd/m2. As a result, the screen of our test device, which comes from LG, is somewhat brighter than the Lenovo ThinkPad T580 and the Dell Latitude 5590.
In exchange, the HP EliteBook 850 G5 features a brighter Full-HD display, while the Fujitsu LifeBook U758 is likewise better equipped. This is true for the 14-inch ThinkPad T490 and ThinkPad T490s models, which have higher-quality and brighter low-power Full HD screens.
PWM was not detected on the monitor, and backlight leakage is relatively sporadic. With an 88 percent illumination, the display is also quite evenly lit.
Because there isn’t a great color cast ex works, calibration won’t result in a significant improvement in subjective representation – as usual, we’ll give the matching color profile for free. Even with a calibration, certain anomalies, such as in the saturation, cannot be eradicated. Subjectively, the depiction is pretty excellent, thanks to the 1200:1 contrast ratio.
Because of the subsurface color space coverage, it is insufficient. Colors are rendered severely distorted since the tiny sRGB color space can only be covered to 58 percent. This monitor is entirely unsuited for color work in a professional setting.
The LCD panel is suited for outdoor usage due to its matt surface and brightness of more than 200 cd/m2. Yet, you should avoid using it in direct sunlight; however, the contents of the display are perfectly visible in the shade.
The screen’s colors are fairly steady in the viewing angle, which is typical of IPS. Although the brightness decreases at extreme viewing angles, the panel does not exhibit an IPS glow effect.
Performance
For the ThinkPad T590, Lenovo offers four distinct Intel “Whiskey Lake” series processors: the Core i5-8265U, Core i7-8565U, Core i5-8365U, and Core i7-8665U. The vPro capability is only available on the last two CPUs, which is very significant for big commercial clients.
The graphics unit is either the Intel UHD Graphics 620, which is built into all possible CPUs, or the optional Nvidia GeForce MX250, which can be used with either an i5 or an i7, unlike the ThinkPad T490, which only permits i7 and MX250 combinations. There are 8 or 16 GB of soldered DDR4 2400 RAM options for memory.
A DDR4-2400 SO DIMM slot is located on the side of this one, allowing for a total memory capacity of 40 to 48 GB, depending on how much RAM is soldered. As mass storage, a single M.2-2280 SSD with 256, 512, or 1 TB is used.
The Intel Core i7-8565U is a contemporary “Whiskey-Lake” series CPU. It’s a 15-watt ultra-low-voltage CPU with four processing cores with a maximum clock speed of 4.6 GHz and a base clock speed of 1.8 GHz. Our CPU comparison list contains comparisons with other CPUs.
The ThinkPad T590’s TDP has been enhanced by Lenovo. In the Cinebench multi-core test, the CPU cores run at a maximum of 3.3 GHz, therefore the beginning power consumption is 29 watts instead of 15 watts. During a single Cinebench run, the CPU temperature reaches a high of 82°C. The T590 won’t be able to sustain this level of usage indefinitely. In the cinebench loop, the CPU consumption begins to vary; it swings between 20 and 25 watts, and it even decreases to 15 watts at times. As a result, the CPU clock rates oscillate between 2.5 and 3 GHz.
Because the T490 delivers its performance more consistently, the CPU performance of the sister model ThinkPad T490 is somewhat greater on average under continuous stress. The ThinkPad T580, on the other hand, is marginally slower than its predecessor. The ThinkPad T590’s rivals from Dell, HP, and Fujitsu are all noticeably slower than the ThinkPad T590, although they all use the older “Kaby Lake Refresh” CPUs.
In battery mode, the CPU performance is likewise fully accessible.
In PCMark’s benchmarks, the ThinkPad T590 is somewhat at the top of the comparison field, which isn’t unexpected given the fairly powerful components and the performance-saving Full HD resolution. The ThinkPad T580 performs worse in these tests, which is likely because to the twice-as-high resolution. In normal usage, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 performed well.
In terms of mass storage, Lenovo has drastically simplified the equipment. There is just one M.2-2280 SSD instead of the 2.5 inch slot, which may also house an M.2-2280 SSD in an adaptor. In addition, putting a second, smaller M.2-2242 SSD in the WWAN slot is no longer an option.
In compared to the ThinkPad T580, the speed of the 512 GB Toshiba SSD in our test device benefits significantly from the design modification. For the M.2-2280 SSD, there were just two PCIe 3.0 lanes available. In exchange, the Toshiba SSD, which performed well in our tests, is attached to the ThinkPad T590 via four lanes.
The Nvidia GeForce MX250 is an update of the Nvidia GeForce MX150, therefore it still uses Nvidia Pascal technology, which is already obsolete. The MX250 on the ThinkPad T590 has a higher clock speed and is rated at 25 watts. With our GPU benchmark list, you may compare your graphics card to others.
The GPU’s performance is almost identical to that of the MX250 in the smaller ThinkPad T490. The GPU in the T590 is 7 to 26 percent quicker than the 25 watt version of the Nvidia GeForce MX150 in the preceding ThinkPad T580, depending on the test.
Although the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max-Q in the premium model ThinkPad X1 Extreme provides a noticeable performance gain, it is still unavailable. In the 3DMark benchmarks, this graphics hardware is almost twice as fast.
In battery mode, the GPU performance is fully accessible.
The Nvidia GeForce MX250 is not a graphics card designed for intense gaming. New games only run at low detail settings, making this GPU better suited to casual gamers — the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max-Q in the ThinkPad X1 Extreme is almost twice as fast.
At the very least, the graphics processor in the ThinkPad T590 can sustain its performance during the Witcher 3 cycle, and it’s a little quicker than the Nvidia GeForce MX150 in the ThinkPad T580 before it.
Levels of noise and temperature
The fan on the ThinkPad T590 frequently, but not always, remains stationary while not in use. Under load, the active cooling system produces a maximum of 35.8 dB(A), which isn’t too loud. In this regard, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is a relatively restrained notebook.
We could hear coil beeping, but it was only audible when one ear was pressed on the keyboard.
Under stress, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590’s cooling mechanism is a significant difficulty. In the stress test, the Lenovo laptop heats up to a maximum of 56.3°C on the bottom, indicating that this is already the case. In the Witcher 3 test, the ThinkPad laptop becomes considerably hotter. At a hotspot, we detected a high of 57.3 °C, although the fan is also quieter at 33.5 dB. (A).
Under load, you should avoid using the laptop on your lap since such high temperatures might be uncomfortable over time. At the very least, the wrist-rest remains cold, however it does warm up significantly when compared to idle.
The ThinkPad T590, being a comparably compact business laptop, shows that it isn’t built for prolonged load in the Prime95 and FurMark stress tests. The CPU may use 17 watts at the start of the stress test, and for a brief period it can even reach 25 watts. As a result, the highest CPU clock rate under stress is 2.7 GHz. However, after around 5 minutes, the CPU’s consumption and clock rate decrease dramatically, with the CPU using just 5 watts and the clock rate dropping to 400 MHz.
The GPU is also unable to maintain its clock rate, which drops to 800 MHz after around 15 minutes. The temperatures are within a safe range; in fact, at a certain point, the CPU and GPU may run at a higher clock rate – but this does not occur.
Surprisingly, the CPU’s performance is still throttled after the stress test, although the GPU can now fully use its performance potential.
As a result, 3DMark 11’s physics performance, which is CPU-intensive, is much lower. This issue may be resolved by restarting the computer. Lenovo will most likely need to update the driver or BIOS to address this issue.
Sound
Lenovo placed the speakers on the top of the ThinkPad T590, between the hinges, rather than on the bottom. This location is helpful because, regardless of the base’s surface structure, the sound always sounds the same. Unfortunately, the loudspeakers are of low quality, with little bass and little loudness.
The loudspeakers on the ThinkPad T580 were in an inconvenient location on the bottom, although they were louder. The EliteBook 850 G5’s loudspeakers are likewise louder than those of HP’s competition.
You may also utilize the combined audio output instead of the loudspeakers. The sound quality is significantly improved when used in conjunction with external loudspeakers or headphones.
Battery life
In terms of battery life, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 follows the progression of the smaller ThinkPad T490. Instead of the PowerBridge system, which includes one internal and one external, extendable hot-swap battery, Lenovo’s current ThinkPads only have one internal battery.
In the case of the ThinkPad T590 notebook, this battery has a capacity of 57 watt hours, making it somewhat bigger than the ThinkPad T490. To put that in perspective, the Lenovo ThinkPad T580 had a maximum capacity of 105 watt hours with the huge extended external 72 watt hour battery, which was almost twice as much.
We tested this arrangement on the ThinkPad T580 as well, which is why we were shocked to find that the ThinkPad T590 outperforms the T580 despite having a battery that is half the size. In compared to Dell and HP’s rivals, the ThinkPad T590 performs well. In the WiFi test, the battery lasted around 10.5 hours.
In addition to the standard WiFi test, which we conducted with an LCD brightness of 150 cd/m2, we repeated the test with the maximum brightness. The battery life was lowered to roughly 8 hours in this case.
The low-power displays of the T490 and T490s shine here, since both suffer from a comparable drop in battery life in this test, but the 14-inch panels attain substantially greater brightness levels of up to 400 cd/m2.
Switching to a single internal battery has the side benefit of reducing charging time. The ThinkPad T580 with the huge 105 watt hour battery combination took approximately 4 hours to completely charge both batteries, but the ThinkPad T590 took just a little more than two hours.
Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is the smallest and lightest 15.6-inch ThinkPad in the T Series. If you don’t want to have a massive “clunker,” you used to have to opt with the smaller 14-inch model. That isn’t the case anymore. Nonetheless, for most people, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is likely to be the more appealing option.
This is also because the T490 and T590 are almost identical in many aspects. Lenovo employs the same motherboard design on both, as well as the same materials and building technique. As a result, the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 has a sturdy shell with a nice selection of ports, connectivity, and security features, but the ThinkPad T490 does as well.
This also applies to comfortable input devices with a nice keyboard, where the T590’s number pad may at least provide an advantage for certain users. Furthermore, owing to the bigger 57 watt hour battery, the ThinkPad T590’s battery life is greater than the ThinkPad T490’s, at least in the Full HD model.
The ThinkPad T590 has above-average CPU performance, and the ThinkPad laptop’s fan is generally silent, which is also true of the T490.
The ThinkPad T590’s bigger display might be seen as a selling point. However, in compared to the T490 and its low-power full HD display, the LCD panel’s quality leaves a lot to be desired, since color values and brightness are noticeably worse. Despite the fact that Lenovo provides an intriguing 4K UHD option, the bulk of T590 machines should be marketed with a very subpar Full HD display.
Other flaws, including as the difficult-to-open chassis, the microSD card reader (rather than a full-size SD card reader), the high case temperatures, and the Thunderbolt 3 connector, which is only coupled with two PCIe lanes, are all addressed by the T590. This is likewise true of the PowerBridge functionality that was removed.
If only the subpar Full HD display wasn’t present: The Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is a fine laptop, but the LCD disappoints us, which is why it ranks lower than the ThinkPad T490.
Overall, we suggest the ThinkPad T590 as a strong and comparably mobile 15.6-inch laptop for productive tasks, but if you don’t require the number pad, we believe the ThinkPad T490 is a better alternative.
The “Lenovo ThinkPad T490 vs ThinkPad T590 (2020)” is a comparison between the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T590. The most notable difference between these two laptops is that the 2020 model has a USB-C port, while the 2019 model does not. Reference: lenovo t14.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Lenovo T490 and T590?
A: The T490 is a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop, whereas the T590 is a series of Lenovo laptops.
Is Lenovo ThinkPad T490 touch screen?
A: No, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is not a touch screen laptop.
Does ThinkPad T490 have speakers?
A: ThinkPad T490 has speakers.
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