Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 (21HD002BUS) Review: A Perfect Blend of Power, Performance, and Portability

February 4, 2025

When it comes to premium business laptops, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 (21HD002BUS) stands tall as a powerhouse built for professionals who demand speed, reliability, and performance. Whether you're a busy executive, a student, or a remote worker, this device offers everything you need to stay productive and connected on the go. In this review, we’ll break down its features, performance, pros, and cons, helping you decide if it's the right laptop for you.

Design and Build Quality:

One of the first things you'll notice about the ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 is its sturdy and professional design. Made from durable materials, the T14 features Lenovo's legendary quality. Its matte black finish and minimalistic design give it an elegant, corporate-friendly appearance, while its slim profile ensures easy portability. At just 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg), it strikes a good balance between weight and durability, perfect for those who need a reliable laptop for travel.

Performance:

Powered by the Intel® Core™ i7-1355U processor with 10 cores (2 performance cores and 8 efficient cores), the T14 Gen-4 excels at multitasking and handling demanding workloads. Whether you’re running multiple applications, editing documents, or video conferencing, this laptop remains smooth and responsive. Coupled with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, you won’t experience sluggishness even when handling large datasets or complex spreadsheets.

For storage, the 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD provides fast boot times, quick file transfers, and plenty of space for your essential files and software. This high-speed storage ensures you spend less time waiting and more time working.

Display:

The T14 Gen-4 features a 14-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) touchscreen display with 300 nits of brightness. The anti-glare coating and wide viewing angles make it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether you're viewing presentations, watching videos, or working on a detailed project, the colors are crisp, and the screen is easy on the eyes. Plus, the touchscreen support adds an extra layer of convenience, allowing for intuitive navigation and interaction.

Graphics and Visuals:

While the Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics aren’t designed for high-end gaming or graphic design, they do an excellent job handling everyday tasks such as browsing, video editing, and office work. If your primary concern is performance in business and productivity apps, the T14 won't disappoint.

Battery Life:

For a laptop this powerful, battery life is always a concern. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 offers decent battery performance, with up to 8-10 hours of usage on a single charge, depending on the workload. While it's not the longest-lasting laptop in its class, the battery should be enough for a full day of work with light to moderate use.

Security Features:

Lenovo takes security seriously with the ThinkPad T14 Gen-4. It comes with TPM 2.0, an IR camera for Windows Hello, and a fingerprint reader to ensure that your data is safe. The Privacy Shutter on the webcam is a thoughtful addition for those concerned with online privacy, offering physical protection from prying eyes.

Keyboard and Trackpad:

Lenovo is renowned for its exceptional keyboard, and the ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 is no exception. The ergonomic keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience with responsive keys and excellent key travel, which is great for long hours of typing. The trackpad is responsive and offers smooth navigation, and there's also a TrackPoint in the middle for precise control without needing to move your hands from the keyboard.

Connectivity:

The T14 Gen-4 has a comprehensive set of ports, including 2 USB 3.2 Type-A ports, 1 USB-C 3.2 port, 1 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a microSD card reader. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 allows for fast data transfer speeds and the ability to connect to high-res external displays and other peripherals. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, providing faster wireless connectivity and better bandwidth for online meetings, file transfers, and streaming.

Pros:

Impressive performance with the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, perfect for multitasking.
High-quality build that is durable and sleek, offering excellent portability.
Great keyboard and trackpad for comfortable typing and navigation.
Solid security features, including TPM 2.0 and biometric login options.
Vibrant, touch-enabled display that is ideal for both work and play.
Comprehensive connectivity with Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, HDMI, and more.

Cons:

Battery life could be better for heavy usage or extended travel.
No dedicated GPU, so it’s not suitable for gaming or intensive video editing.
Relatively expensive, especially for users who don’t need the full range of business features.

Final Verdict:

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 (21HD002BUS) is a fantastic choice for professionals looking for a reliable and powerful business laptop. With its solid performance, exceptional keyboard, and great security features, it ticks all the right boxes for a productivity-focused device. While the battery life could be better and it's not suitable for heavy gaming or graphics tasks, it's a perfect fit for those whose primary focus is productivity, office work, and day-to-day tasks.

If you’re in the market for a high-quality business laptop that can keep up with your demanding workload, the ThinkPad T14 Gen-4 is definitely worth considering.