Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G2 (AMD): A First Look

It isn't every day a brand new #ThinkPad shows up on my doorstep, but here we are! Come learn more about the T14s G2 AMD variant and leave your questions in the comment section for the follow-up video.
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/ laptopretrospe1
laptopretrospective.com
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Lenovo Canada
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0:00 Introduction
1:34 Unboxing
3:19 Specifications
7:59 Ports and Features
9:24 Disassembly
13:18 Conclusions

[@thomasricke1150]

Great to see my machine described that perfectly :)

[@LaptopRetrospective]

😎😎

[@ted-b]

Nice machine, great review.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Thanks Ted!

[@jhnadrn07]

Design-wise, comparing this to the regular T14 Gen 2, I can say that this T14s is a transition from the newer design language of the T-series to the newer T14 Gen 3 sans the 16:10 screen aspect ratio. The keyboard has a new typeface and icons (but still retaining the old shape of keycaps), a much broader touchpad in comparison with the T14G2, and an embedded fingerprint on the power button. I still like the T14G2's speaker design rather than this T14s plus, the Lenovo logo on the T14G2 is only present on the screen's bezel. Nevertheless, that is still an excellent laptop even though the RAM is not user-upgradeable. I really like how the design looks new like the T14G3 yet old like the T14G1 and G2.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Thanks for the information. I'll keep that in mind if I see any of the newer models in the future.

[@klwthe3rd]

I have this same model but it's the Intel variant. It's the first year of Lenovo laptops that the SSD can utilize the Gen 4 speeds. It's reaches 6000 seq reads and writes which is the fastest laptop i've ever owned. It's sad that they don't give you all the beautiful packaging like they did in the old days at Lenovo. Now it's just a laptop shoved into a box with cardboard around it. A far cry from when they would have elegant boxes in black and red.

[@klwthe3rd]

@Wind461 I disagree. These T series laptops are not cheap and considering they used to give better packaging for even the base T series, it screams of cheaping out on the customer.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

The other thing to consider is they are usually bought in bulk by a company so IT unboxes them more often, not individual customers.

[@herrfaust2020]

I just checked out unboxes for a T410s and a T450s, and they came with pretty standard cardboard packaging. The outer had a bit more colour to them, but it's nothing that anyone would call elegant. For the X1 models, I guess they went with the times and switched to simple recycled bamboo, or whatever enviro-friendly stuff it is. Maybe the X1 Fold Gen 2 will come with a premium box, if it ever makes it into mass production 🙂.

[@herrfaust2020]

According to Notebookcheck, the AMD version is only PCIe Gen 3. I can attest to that, since I'm getting just under 3.8 GB/s sequential read with a Solidigm P44 Pro. It tops out at over 7 GB/s.

[@my_negative_world3741]

I just recently picked up an L13 Gen 2 for 150 bucks and I'm pleasatnly surprised by the quality of newer Thinkpads. Sure they are nothing compared to the OG thickpads but compared to other laptops on the market right now I find them to still be pretty nice.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

That's an excellent price. Well done!

[@Olivander12]

Thank you for that great video! I would like to know how the T14s performs when pushed to its limit (video editing for example). Also, it would be good to know how Linux (maybe Ubuntu) performs out of the box on this machine (hardware compatibility, battery life, etc.).

[@LaptopRetrospective]

You can buy these from Lenovo with Linux now so not too worried about that. Video editing has a wide gulf of expectations. It's all about project complexity and rendering times.

[@michaelscottcutler3627]

That high resolution camera would really be a trip! Probably bumps-up the price significantly, though.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

You mean the webcam? Worth every penny.

[@hafizhnabawi1707]

the chassis casting looks identical to those on the T490s (which i have as replacement for my X230), i can tell from the 2 screw posts on the right-hand side (when flipped) for the speaker on T490s/T14 Gen 1 #cmiiw

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Interesting observation. 🤔

[@faamp]

I have been very interested to hear about the performance of these ryzen laptops. Have yet to make the leap myself.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Any particular metric?

[@faamp]

@@LaptopRetrospective no, it's just that I have never owned an AMD laptop and I'd rather hear more about them before trying one myself. At some point I'll be replacing my x280 which still serves me well.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

No Thunderbolt 3/4 on this unit but very pleased with it so far says the person who uses it.

[@JackStavris]

We have a big fleet of the Intel versions at my workplace and they’re very nice laptops, though they can run a little toasty. Perhaps the AMD version might run a little cooler and have better performance.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

That would be interesting to see if one runs cooler.

[@10lauset]

Cheers.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

👍

[@herrfaust2020]

If you go into the UEFI Diagnostics, it will say what panel you have (Enter at logo, F10). I'm pretty happy with my machine. Bought it slightly used. Debated between the Gen 2 and Gen 3, both at the same price, but decided on the Gen 2 because it has the UHD panel, whereas the G3 probably had the bottom-end panel. I think I made the right decision for me. Sure, the Gen 3 has a better CPU, but I'm going to notice the screen more than the extra horsepower. On one hand, I paid too much for it, relative to other used ThinkPads, but it's a top-end model, with 32GB RAM, and paired with a UHD panel, you're not going to see too many of those for sale. Lenovo also doesn't usually have top-end models on sale, either. Q: What model WD SSD did you get? I ask because I've always suspected that the seller swapped out the original in mine. I got it with a WD Blue NVMe (not sure of the exact model offhand). In any case, I ordered a 2TB Solidigm P44 Pro, which is about the best mainstream SSD out there right now. PS. Having the fingerprint reader on the power button is nice. With one touch, I can turn it on, and my fingerprint will bypass power-on + ssd passwords and log me into Windows 😀 .

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Thanks for the UEFI tip. I'll check the SSD type next time I'm near it.

[@herrfaust2020]

Opened it up to take a look. Mine is WD SN550. It looks totally retail, with the white/blue sticker. Oh well, it will get repurposed eventually. If anyone is buying a T series, I recommend putting your money towards a nice screen, even if you're not doing colour work (and assuming you're not mostly using it with external monitors). You're always going to be looking at the screen and it's so much nicer on your eyes. I would opt for a nicer panel than a faster CPU. You can always wait a few minutes with a slower CPU. If horsepower is a priority, then get a machine with a proper CPU, and not one of these ultra-low voltage ones.

[@pouet4608]

hello @Laptop rétrospective! could you have a look to e-ink screens, for current screen replacement ok second screen?

[@LaptopRetrospective]

I think I know what you're asking but some typos are making it a little difficult to understand.

[@MrKillswitch88]

The one thing that is really going to hurt this generation in the long run is not being able to upgrade the ram.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

It is a problem as old as time, no question.

[@memoryfoam2285]

I'm getting my first ever paycheck as an engineering apprentice in 6 days, I'm considering either a T14 G3 (AMD) or a P14 with an nVidia dGPU. I'll be using Inventor and Fusion360 in terms of CAD/CAM, and I'm just wondering if anyone in these comments has experience with either of these pieces of software and can thus advise on what to prioritise specs-wise?

[@Olivander12]

A friend of mine is a using Inventor professionally and he always stresses that the size of a project is what takes a machine to its limits. If you are editing project with more than 500 parts, a P-series machine is a must have, since you need CPU power and a large amount of RAM. The GPU does not need to be high end, 8GB VRAM should be fine.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Thanks for answering this! You're awesome.

[@memoryfoam2285]

@@Olivander12 I'm only starting out at the moment, I'm not going to be working on anything with more than 100 parts for at least the next year. Thanks for the advice, and I'm thinking I'll probably go for a T14 G3, as the integrated Radeon 680M that comes with the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U should be sufficient as Inventor relies more on CPU speed than GPU acceleration from what I've heard (except when animating).

[@MK68ii]

Love your channel but the text on your videos really hard to read because of the font

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Interesting. This is the first comment I've received on the text being difficult to read. What about it specifically?

[@MK68ii]

Just the font it's like the font used in retro gaming and it's hard to read for people with Astigmatism for example.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Got it. I wonder if there is a happy medium. Some kind of retro style font that is easier to read? 🤔

[@MK68ii]

@LaptopRetrospective thank you for your kindness but it's not a big deal really otherwise others would have pointed this out

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Following up with this, thinking about IBM Plex Sans Bold. What do you think?

[@manuellujan666]

AMD come out to plaayaayy

[@kobecuerdo7830]

why does my laptop not have a keyboard that lights up :(

[@LaptopRetrospective]

It's an option.

[@reiisthebestgirl]

So now you can get T-series without ethernet port and all soldered ram? How mighty has fallen. At least ethernet port is an option for now.

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Thankfully if rumors are true, they are going back to socketed.