If you're on a tight budget and mostly need a laptop for basic tasks like browsing, word processing, and watching videos, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is a cost-effective option, though its lower price comes with modest performance and build quality. However, if you require a more robust laptop for work, especially if you're doing tasks that demand more processing power like coding, multimedia editing, or data analysis, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers superior durability, performance, and security features but at a higher cost. The ThinkPad also typically has better battery life and more connectivity options, making it more suitable for long-term, intensive use. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad T14.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.1/10
8.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is a more budget-friendly option, typically with less RAM and a less powerful CPU, which may not handle intensive tasks as efficiently as the Lenovo ThinkPad T14; the ThinkPad T14 often has a higher-quality screen, better battery life, and is built with a focus on durability and performance, making it more suitable for demanding use cases. While both are portable, the higher specs of the ThinkPad T14 also contribute to better handling of multitasking and more robust applications, making it generally a superior choice for more intensive general use.
Gaming and AI
5.5/10
6.7/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a less powerful GPU and a lower screen refresh rate, making it less suited for gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is equipped with a better GPU and a higher refresh rate screen, enhancing performance for gaming and 3D tasks, with a CPU and screen quality that also contribute positively, though to a lesser extent.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
8.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" generally has a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a lower quality GPU, which can lead to sluggish performance in demanding engineering applications, while its screen quality isn't ideal for design work. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, on the other hand, offers a more robust CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU, ensuring smoother operation with complex software, and its higher-quality screen displays designs more accurately, although it may be less portable and could have a louder operating noise.
Content Creation
6.2/10
8.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
6.4/10
8.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
5.3/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has lower resolution and brightness, which can lead to less clarity and vibrancy for all users, and may cause eye strain over prolonged periods, which is not ideal for general use or tasks requiring precision like engineering. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, with its higher resolution and brightness, offers crisper and more vivid images suitable for both general tasks and the detail-oriented work of engineering, ensuring clear visuals and accurate color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops lack quick refresh rates important for smooth motion, with the ThinkPad also falling short in screen quality as high frame rates and specific panel technologies that enhance gaming experience are missing.
Build Quality
6.0/10
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$1,241
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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