Lenovo ThinkPad E490: The Budget Business Laptop That Thinks It's a Gamer 🎮
Hello, tech enthusiasts and casual gamers! 🎧 Ever stumbled upon a laptop that tries to juggle spreadsheets by day and conquer gaming realms by night? Meet the Lenovo ThinkPad E490—a machine that dons a business suit but dreams of wielding a gaming sword. Let's dive deep and see if this hybrid truly delivers on its ambitious promises. 🕵️♂️
🧱 Materials & Durability – 7/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad E490 sports a blend of aluminum and plastic in its chassis, aiming for a balance between sturdiness and weight. While it doesn't exude premium luxury, it feels solid enough for daily business tasks. However, compared to its pricier ThinkPad siblings, it lacks that tank-like robustness.
"The ThinkPad E490 is a more budget-conscious alternative to Lenovo's 14-inch, business-mainstream ThinkPad T490." – Notebookcheck
⌨️ Keyboard & Trackpad – 8/10
Typing on the E490 is a pleasant experience. The keyboard offers tactile feedback, making long typing sessions comfortable. However, the trackpad doesn't share the same glory. It's functional but lacks the responsiveness and precision found in higher-end models.
"The ThinkPad E490 has some of the hallmarks of a great ThinkPad, such as an excellent keyboard... But this laptop stumbles with its... unreliable touchpad." – Laptop Mag
🔗 Hinges & Portability – 6/10
The E490's hinges allow the screen to lay flat at 180 degrees, a feature appreciated during collaborative sessions. However, at 1.75kg, it's on the heavier side for a 14-inch laptop, making portability less than ideal for frequent travelers.
"The E490's budget status means it's slightly thicker and heavier than the premium ThinkPads." – Windows Central
🎨 Aesthetics – 6/10
Design-wise, the E490 sticks to the classic ThinkPad look—minimalist and professional. While it doesn't turn heads, it maintains a clean and understated appearance suitable for business environments. However, it lacks the modern flair seen in some competitors.
"The ThinkPad E490 is a copy-paste of its predecessor – the ThinkPad E480." – LaptopMedia
🔌 Ports – 8/10
Connectivity is a strong suit for the E490. It offers a variety of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, RJ-45, and multiple USB-A ports. However, the absence of Thunderbolt support is a missed opportunity for faster data transfer and expanded peripheral compatibility.
"The ThinkPad E490 combines durable chassis, generous port selection." – Windows Central
🧠 CPU & GPU Performance – 5/10
Equipped with an Intel® Core™ i5-8265U and AMD Radeon RX 550X, the E490 handles everyday tasks adequately. However, when pushed for gaming or intensive applications, it struggles. Thermal throttling becomes evident, leading to inconsistent performance.
"The Radeon GPU is too much for the cooling solution." – Notebookcheck
🌡️ Thermals & Noise – 4/10
Thermal management is a significant drawback. Under load, the E490 heats up considerably, and the fan noise becomes prominent. Users have reported thermal throttling even at moderate temperatures, indicating subpar cooling solutions.
"This E490 has some baaaad thermal design." – TechPowerUp Forums
🔋 Battery Life – 7/10
The E490 offers decent battery life, lasting through a typical workday under light usage. However, intensive tasks or gaming sessions drain the battery rapidly. The inclusion of USB-C charging is a plus, allowing for quicker top-ups.
"Charging with USB-C delivers about 80 percent battery life in an hour." – Windows Central
🖥️ Display – 6/10
The 14" FHD IPS display provides acceptable visuals for daily tasks. However, it lacks the vibrancy and brightness found in competitors. Color accuracy and contrast are mediocre, making it less suitable for creative professionals.
"The screen utilizes PWM-adjustment of its brightness up until the maximum level. Another disadvantage would be the modest color coverage." – LaptopMedia
🔊 Audio – 5/10
Audio performance is underwhelming. The speakers produce tinny sound with limited volume, making media consumption less enjoyable. For a better experience, external speakers or headphones are recommended.
"Be wary of its dull display, tiny speakers and unreliable touchpad." – Laptop Mag
📊 Average Score: 6.2/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Materials & Durability | 7 |
| Keyboard & Trackpad | 8 |
| Hinges & Portability | 6 |
| Aesthetics | 6 |
| Ports | 8 |
| CPU & GPU Performance | 5 |
| Thermals & Noise | 4 |
| Battery Life | 7 |
| Display | 6 |
| Audio | 5 |
| Average | 6.2 |
🛒 Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad E490 is a competent business laptop that tries to moonlight as a gaming machine but falls short. Its strengths lie in its keyboard, port selection, and build quality. However, thermal issues, mediocre display, and subpar audio prevent it from being a well-rounded device.
If you're seeking a reliable work laptop with occasional light gaming, the E490 might suffice. But for dedicated gaming or creative tasks, exploring other options would be wise.