Lenovo ThinkPad L390 13" Vs Lenovo ThinkPad T480S 14"

The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 13 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s 14 are business-oriented laptops from the same manufacturer, both released in 2018. While they share the robust ThinkPad design philosophy and focus on productivity, they cater to slightly different user priorities. The T480s offers a larger screen in a lighter, more premium chassis with advanced connectivity, whereas the L390 provides a more compact form factor with a focus on essential features and upgradeability.

Both the ThinkPad L390 and T480s were released in 2018, meaning they have received several years of operating system updates and are likely to continue receiving security patches for some time. Their robust construction contributes to a practical lifespan suitable for sustained use.

• Release Timeline: The ThinkPad T480s was introduced in March 2018, while the L390 followed later in December 2018. This difference means the T480s has been in the market slightly longer.
• Software Longevity: As devices from the same era, both models benefit from similar long-term software support from Lenovo and Microsoft, ensuring continued compatibility with productivity applications.
• Build Quality: The T480s features a magnesium alloy and carbon fiber reinforced plastic chassis, contributing to its reputation for durability and passing MIL-SPEC tests for reliability. The L390 also undergoes MIL-STD 810G durability testing, utilizing an aluminum lid and glass-fiber reinforced plastic for its body, offering a sturdy feel.

Both laptops are equipped with 8th generation Intel Core processors, providing capable performance for everyday business tasks and multitasking. The primary differences in performance often come down to specific configurations and thermal management.

• Processor Capabilities: Both models utilize 8th Gen Intel Core processors, which handle common productivity applications, web browsing, and light content creation smoothly. The T480s typically features Kaby Lake R processors, while the L390 often comes with Whiskey Lake processors, offering a slight generational refresh.
• Memory Configuration: The T480s typically comes with 8GB of RAM soldered to the motherboard and one additional SO-DIMM slot, allowing for a maximum of up to 40GB of RAM. The L390, on the other hand, usually features two SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 32GB of RAM, offering more flexibility for users who prefer to upgrade both modules.
• Storage Options: Both laptops support fast PCIe NVMe Solid State Drives (SSDs), ensuring quick boot times, rapid application loading, and responsive file transfers. The T480s can be configured with up to 2TB of storage, while the L390 typically offers up to 512GB.

The visual experience on these laptops differs primarily in screen size and available panel options, with both offering anti-glare surfaces suitable for extended work sessions.

• Display Technology and Size: The ThinkPad L390 features a 13.3-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS display. The ThinkPad T480s offers a larger 14-inch display, with options for Full HD (1920x1080) IPS or a higher-resolution WQHD (2560x1440) IPS panel.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Full HD panels on both models generally offer adequate brightness for indoor use, though some users have noted the L390's display can be average or dim, and the T480s's FHD option has also been described as bland. The WQHD option on the T480s provides a brighter and sharper image.
• Viewing Experience: Both laptops utilize IPS technology, which provides wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent color and clarity when viewed from various positions. The anti-glare finish on both helps reduce reflections in brightly lit environments.

For communication and media consumption, both ThinkPads offer standard features, focusing on functionality for typical business use rather than advanced multimedia capabilities.

• Webcam Quality: Both the L390 and T480s are equipped with a 720p HD webcam, suitable for video conferencing and online meetings. The T480s often includes a ThinkShutter, a physical privacy cover for the webcam, which is a practical addition for privacy-conscious users.
• Audio Experience: Both models feature stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium and dual-array microphones. This setup aims to provide clear audio output for media and effective voice pickup for calls.
• Microphone Performance: The dual-array microphones on both laptops are designed to capture voice clearly while minimizing background noise, enhancing the experience for virtual meetings and voice commands.