After updating the ThinkPad X1 line at CES, Lenovo is now opening the floodgates and releasing refreshed versions of its more mainstream ThinkPad T, X and L series, as well as some updates to the P-series workstations.
The new T-series, among the most popular ThinkPads around, are getting a slew of changes. There are Intel 11th Gen Core versions: the ThinkPad T14 i, T14s i and T15; and AMD Ryzen 5000 options: the ThinkPad T14 and T14s.
| Laptop | Starting Price | Available | Intel or AMD-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| ThinkPad T14s i | $1,499 | March 2021 | Intel |
| ThinkPad T14s | $1,279 | May 2021 | AMD |
| Think Pad T14 i | $1,379 | March 2021 | Intel |
| ThinkPad T14 | $1,159 | May 2021 | AMD |
| ThinkPad T15 | $1,379 | March 2021 | Intel |
| ThinkPad X13 Yoga | $1,379 | April 2021 | Intel |
| ThinkPad X13 i | $1,299 | March 2021 | Intel |
| ThinkPad X13 | $1,139 | May 2021 | AMD |
| ThinkPad L14 | $689 | May 2021 | AMD |
| ThinkPad L15 | $689 | May 2021 | AMD |
| ThinkPad P14s i | $1,389 | March 2021 | Intel |
| ThinkPad P14s | $1,169 | May 2021 | AMD |
| ThinkPad 15s | $1,389 | March 2021 | Intel |
The 14-inch models are getting aluminum chassis, rather than silver paint over the typical black shell. For connectivity, Lenovo will offer optional 5G (sub-6 GHz) or 4G. Most Intel models will use Wi-Fi 6E (though some will use Wi-Fi 6), while AMD options will use regular Wi-Fi 6 exclusively.
But the T14s models are the only ones with an FHD IR webcam, which should make for superior video chatting, especially while so many people are working from home. On the T14 and T15 versions, it's still standard 720p (with or without IR).
Lenovo's X13 laptops, which are more portability-focused, will get an Intel-based ThinkPad X13 i and X14 Yoga, while the AMD version is the ThinkPad X13. They're getting 13.3-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio displays, joining a trend of taller screens.
There's a similar split with the more affordable ThinkPad L series: The Intel-based ThinkPad L14 i and L15 i will have 11th Gen Core vPro, while the L15 will gets Ryzen 5000.
The T14s, T14, X13 and X13 Yoga are getting new aluminum chassis options, while the T14s, X13 and X13 Yoga will all feature "Human Presence Detection" in order to lock when you're not around. That latter feature can work with Windows Hello and the infrared camera to make it so you can log in and then lock the screen, all without ever entering passwords or even touching the machine.
For those who prefer fingerprint readers to facial recognition, the T14s, X13 and X13 Yoga will all have a reader built into the power button.
Additionally, Lenovo has its workstations with the P14s using Ryzen, P14s i and P15s running 11th gen Core vPro. The Intel models will offer up to Nvidia T5000 graphics or Intel Iris Xe, while the AMD models will use integrated Radeon graphics. Again, the Intel laptops will have Wi-Fi 6E while the AMD version has Wi-Fi 6.
The Intel models are scheduled to start shipping next month, while the AMD models are coming later in the spring. We'll see how they stack up and if any vie for the title of best ultrabook as they come out.
