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Lenovo ThinkPad T490s The thinner 14-inch premium ThinkPad with a magnesium chassis
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is the slim variant of the standard T490 — the same ThinkPad DNA in a lighter magnesium chassis, with a bigger 57 Wh battery and a thinner profile. As a refurbished business laptop from ITR Bulgaria, it suits people who carry a laptop every day and want a premium 14-inch build without the extra weight in the bag.
Benefits
Why the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a sensible choice as a refurbished business laptop from the premium slim line of the ThinkPad T series
Magnesium chassis — from about 1.27 kg
The chassis pairs magnesium alloy with aluminium — lighter than pure aluminium at similar stiffness. For people who carry the machine all day, the gap against the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (from 1.46 kg) shows in the shoulder by evening.
57 Wh battery + Lenovo Rapid Charge
Bigger than the 50 Wh pack in the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490. Rapid Charge reaches up to 80% in about an hour with the laptop powered off and a 65W USB-C charger; actual charging time depends on the battery and conditions. If you leave the laptop off to charge, that can be roughly a coffee break between two meetings in different offices.
Intel Whiskey Lake-U + UHD Graphics 620
Quad-core Core i5/i7 chips built for long office days, with vPro options for fleets managed remotely. Silicon tuned for work, not rendering — which is why it holds a charge.
14-inch 16:9 screen up to WQHD HDR
A range of panels: FHD IPS from 250 to 400 nits, and on the higher options WQHD (2560×1440) with HDR and Dolby Vision up to 500 nits. The FHD panels have a matte coating for working by a window or outdoors; the WQHD panel is glossy.
ThinkPad keyboard with TrackPoint
A backlit, spill-resistant keyboard with deep tactile travel and the red TrackPoint between the keys. For people who type for hours, the hand never leaves the writing position to move the cursor.
MIL-STD-810G durability
The model is tested against 12 military-grade requirements related to MIL-STD-810G for vibration, shock, temperature and humidity. The slim chassis doesn't come at the cost of toughness — the build stays distinctly ThinkPad.
Thunderbolt 3 + 2× USB-A 3.1
One Thunderbolt 3 for a dock and external monitors, plus two USB-A 3.1 for legacy peripherals — mice, security keys, drives. HDMI and a microSD reader round out the set.
ThinkShield security + ThinkShutter
dTPM 2.0, an optional fingerprint reader and an optional IR camera for Windows Hello. On the relevant cameras, the physical ThinkShutter closes the lens mechanically — peace of mind that doesn't depend on software.
Replaceable M.2 NVMe SSD up to 1 TB
Memory is soldered, but storage stays open — a single M.2 NVMe SSD up to 1 TB that you can swap or upgrade after purchase. A practical reserve for files that keep growing.
Value as a refurbished laptop
As a used laptop from the ThinkPad T series, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s offers a premium 14-inch build and magnesium chassis at a sensible price — a series engineered for a long corporate life.
Lenovo ThinkPad T490s: the thinner 14-inch premium ThinkPad with magnesium chassis before the T14s
The "s" suffix on a ThinkPad T was never arbitrary. Back in 2009 Lenovo split the T series into two: the standard model, and a thinner, lighter version that carries the same DNA in a more compact body — in exchange for a compromise on upgradeability. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is exactly that against the T490: a lighter magnesium alloy chassis, a bigger 57 Wh battery and a noticeably thinner profile. And it is the last generation under the T490s name — a year later came its successor, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 1 (Intel), when Lenovo changed its entire naming scheme.
To place the T490s, it helps to see the ThinkPad ladder: the E series is entry level, L is mainstream business, T is the historic workhorse — the "bread and butter" of the brand — and the X1 Carbon is the ultra-premium flagship. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s sits between the T490 and the X1 Carbon: it takes the T series' philosophy of durability and easy servicing and puts it in a lighter body for people who carry the machine every day. A start weight of around 1.27 kg and a 14-inch 16:9 screen make it a machine you stop noticing in the bag after a day on your feet, while the 57 Wh battery with Lenovo Rapid Charge returns up to 80% in about an hour with the laptop powered off — long enough for a coffee between two meetings.
Under the hood is an Intel platform from the Whiskey Lake-U generation — quad-core Core i5 and i7 chips with integrated UHD Graphics 620 and vPro options for centralised management. This is silicon built for long office days rather than heavy graphics work, which is exactly why the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s holds a charge. The port layout reflects the slim body's priorities: one Thunderbolt 3 for docking and external monitors, two USB-A 3.1 for legacy peripherals, HDMI 1.4b and a microSD reader. The full-size RJ45 gives way to an Ethernet Extension connector, with full-size RJ45 provided by the included Ethernet Extension adapter — the price of the thinner profile, but wired networking stays on hand for the client office that still doesn't trust Wi-Fi.
The drive inside carries a pedigree too — one that began absurdly expensive, and in this very family of machines. In 1991 a company called SunDisk (soon renamed SanDisk) released the world's first commercial flash SSD: twenty megabytes for a thousand dollars, offered as an option precisely for the ThinkPad line. Fifty dollars per megabyte — a price that makes today's gigabytes look like a typo. Three decades later, the NVMe module in a T490s holds hundreds of thousands of times more space for a fraction of a percent of that bill. Few technologies have traveled such a road — and it began right here.
The feel in the hand comes from the materials. The chassis pairs magnesium alloy with aluminium — an alloy Lenovo has used on its "s" models since the early generations, because it is lighter than pure aluminium at similar stiffness. The result is a machine just over a kilo and a third that doesn't flex when you grab it by one corner, and that has been tested against 12 military-grade requirements related to MIL-STD-810G, including vibration, shock and temperature. On top sits the classic matte black surface that doesn't hold fingerprints after a full day, the ThinkPad keyboard with its red TrackPoint, and the physical ThinkShutter — a slider that closes the camera mechanically when you're not using it.
The honest compromise on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is upgradeability. To get this thin, the memory is soldered — DDR4 up to 32 GB, chosen at purchase and fixed for the life of the machine, with no SO-DIMM slot to add more later. If you care about upgrades, the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is heavier but gives you a SO-DIMM slot and an optional discrete NVIDIA MX250. From HP, the EliteBook 840 G6 is the other premium 14-inch machine with memory on SO-DIMM modules — the choice between the two comes down to one thing: less weight now or more memory later. And the Dell Latitude 7400 offers a version with a carbon fiber top cover and a magnesium base in the same light premium 14-inch class, with an optional larger 60 Wh battery, for those who prefer that feel.
As a refurbished business laptop from ITR Bulgaria, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s has a clear logic. The T series is among the most serviceable models in the industry — standardised components, thorough documentation and a build designed for servicing — which keeps the technical audit and refurbishment transparent. And ThinkPad is a brand corporate IT departments have recognised for decades, so the refurbished used laptop slots into existing standards without friction. Used laptops from the T series hold their reputation precisely because they are built for a long life — and after refurbishment and technical audit they come with a real warranty and support from ITR Bulgaria.
Who it's for
Scenarios where the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s makes the most sense
Travelling professionals who count grams
A consultant who lives between airports and client offices feels the magnesium chassis every time they pass through security. A start weight of around 1.27 kg means a machine that doesn't drag on the bag at the end of a long day.
Executives wanting one light premium machine
A manager who carries a single laptop from the boardroom to the plane appreciates the thin profile and the serious ThinkPad build — a premium feel without the bulk of a standard 14-inch body.
Hybrid work on the move
Three days at home, two in the office, frequent meetings out. The 57 Wh battery with Rapid Charge and Thunderbolt 3 docking make the move between workspaces smooth — a short top-up covers the afternoon.
Long days at the keyboard
A lawyer, auditor or analyst whose working day is writing and spreadsheets. The ThinkPad keyboard with TrackPoint keeps the hand on the keys, and on FHD configurations the matte coating cuts glare on the tenth hour.
Model highlights
Magnesium alloy + aluminium chassis
Premium light materials at around 16.1 mm thick. Start weight about 1.27 kg — up to 1.35 kg depending on configuration. Lighter and thinner than the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490, with no give in stiffness.
57 Wh battery + Lenovo Rapid Charge
A 4-cell 57 Wh battery, bigger than the 50 Wh in the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490. Rapid Charge reaches up to 80% in about an hour with the laptop powered off and a 65W USB-C charger — the insurance between two meetings.
Intel Whiskey Lake-U platform
Quad-core Core i5/i7 (incl. vPro options) with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620. A platform for productive office work, with the focus on efficiency and battery life.
14″ 16:9 — up to WQHD HDR Dolby Vision
FHD IPS panels from 250 to 400 nits on most units, and on the high-end options WQHD (2560×1440) with HDR and Dolby Vision up to 500 nits. The FHD panels have a matte anti-glare coating, while the WQHD panel is glossy.
ThinkPad keyboard with TrackPoint
A backlit, spill-resistant keyboard with deep tactile travel and the signature red TrackPoint. Navigation without lifting the hands from the writing position — the reason many people stay with ThinkPad.
ThinkShield + ThinkShutter
Enterprise security: dTPM 2.0, an optional match-on-chip fingerprint reader, an optional IR camera for Windows Hello, and, on the relevant cameras, the physical ThinkShutter that closes the lens mechanically.
Ports: TB3, 2× USB-A, HDMI, microSD
1× Thunderbolt 3 for docking, 2× USB-A 3.1 for legacy peripherals, HDMI 1.4b, a microSD reader, an audio jack and an Ethernet Extension connector, with full-size RJ45 provided by the included Ethernet Extension adapter.
Wi-Fi 6 option + optional 4G LTE
Intel Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+ option) and Bluetooth 5.0, with an optional 4G LTE-A WWAN module for mobile internet in the field. Memory: soldered DDR4 up to 32 GB; M.2 NVMe SSD up to 1 TB.
Refurbished by ITR Bulgaria: what value do you get?
Buying a refurbished business-class laptop makes the most sense when the device has been through a standardised in-house refurbishment process and ships with a real warranty. That is how used laptops become refurbished laptops — a practical, dependable and professional alternative to new budget machines, and a far more sensible buy than new premium equivalents.
- ✓ Technical audit and cosmetic assessment of the device against an internal standard
- ✓ Refurbishment, cleaning, quality improvement and configuration to a standard for repeat business use
- ✓ Use of original software and a configuration prepared for the model
- ✓ Packaging, a real warranty and support for the model from ITR Bulgaria
Ready to browse the available units?
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a refurbished business laptop from the premium slim line of the ThinkPad T series — tested and prepared for long-term corporate use. Browse current stock or get in touch for help.
Additional information
Where the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s fits in the series ▼
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is the "s" (slim) variant in the ThinkPad T series — Lenovo's premium workhorse. The "s" models have always been the thinner, lighter version of the standard model, with a more premium chassis and a compromise on upgradeability. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s takes the Lenovo ThinkPad T490's philosophy and puts it in a magnesium chassis with a bigger 57 Wh battery.
Within the ThinkPad portfolio the hierarchy runs like this: the E series is entry level for small business; the L series is mainstream business; the T series (T490, T490s, T590) is the premium workhorse for corporate use; and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the ultra-premium flagship. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s sits between the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon — lighter than the Lenovo ThinkPad T490, but more affordable and with more ports than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
By generation, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is the successor to the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s and the direct predecessor of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 1 (Intel) — a year later Lenovo changed the numbering and the same slim philosophy continued under the new name. That is why the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is often described as the last generation under the "T4xxs" numbering.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is not ideal if… ▼
- You want to upgrade RAM after purchase — the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s memory is soldered (DDR4 up to 32 GB) with no SO-DIMM slot. For upgrade headroom, the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 gives you a SO-DIMM slot.
- You need a discrete graphics card for video editing or 3D work — the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s relies on integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620. The standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 offers an optional NVIDIA MX250.
- You rely on a full-size RJ45 and SD reader — the slim chassis uses an Ethernet Extension connector with an optional RJ45 adapter and a microSD reader. The standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has a full-size RJ45, but its card reader is also microSD.
- You want a 2-in-1 or tablet mode — the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s has touchscreen variants, but it is a standard clamshell with no 360-degree hinges. For a convertible, look at the Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga or the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga.
- You want a 15-inch screen — the Lenovo ThinkPad T590 is the 15-inch machine from the same generation.
- You need a guaranteed specific configuration (a particular CPU, RAM amount, display, IR camera or WWAN module) — configurations vary, so it's worth checking the specific unit.
Choosing the right size and form factor ▼
14-inch slim class (Lenovo ThinkPad T490s): the most balanced pick for people who carry the machine every day. Premium magnesium chassis, start around 1.27 kg, a bigger 57 Wh battery. Trade-off: soldered memory with no SO-DIMM slot.
14-inch standard class (Lenovo ThinkPad T490): heavier (weighing from 1.46 kg), but with a SO-DIMM slot for RAM upgrade and an optional NVIDIA MX250. The choice when upgradeability matters more than weight.
13-inch compact class (Lenovo ThinkPad X390): a smaller body that shares much of the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s platform — for those who want an even more compact machine.
15-inch class (Lenovo ThinkPad T590): more screen area for spreadsheet work, better suited to working mainly at a desk.
Build: the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a standard clamshell with no 360-degree hinges. The construction is magnesium alloy with aluminium elements — premium light materials, designed for a long life and easy servicing.
Alternative models ▼
Within Lenovo:
Lenovo ThinkPad T490 — the standard 14-inch model from the same generation. Heavier (weighing from 1.46 kg), but with a SO-DIMM slot for RAM upgrade and an optional NVIDIA MX250. The choice when upgradeability is the priority.
Lenovo ThinkPad T480s — the previous "s" model. A more affordable refurbished option from an earlier generation, with the same slim philosophy.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 1 (Intel) — the direct successor: a new generation that continues the same slim philosophy, on the Intel Comet Lake platform. The logical step up by generation.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon — the ultra-premium flagship. Lighter and thinner, carbon fiber/magnesium chassis. Trade-off: a higher price as a refurbished laptop and fewer ports.
Cross-brand alternatives (14″, light premium class, same generation):
HP EliteBook 840 G6 — a premium 14-inch machine with two SO-DIMM slots for memory upgrades up to 64 GB. Heavier than the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, but with upgrade headroom. The choice between the two comes down to weight versus upgradeability.
Dell Latitude 7400 — a light premium 14-inch class; it offers a version with a carbon fiber top cover and a magnesium base, plus an optional larger 60 Wh battery. For those who prefer that feel and the Dell ecosystem.
Note: don't compare the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s with the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 or Lenovo ThinkPad L14 — they belong to a different, lower business class (entry/mainstream) with a different target group.
Refurbished by ITR Bulgaria: what value do you get? ▼
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is a model where refurbishment by ITR Bulgaria has clear logic for two specific reasons. First — the T series is among the most serviceable models: standardised components, thorough hardware documentation and a build designed for servicing. That keeps the technical audit and refurbishment transparent.
Second — ThinkPad is a recognised brand in corporate IT departments, going back decades. When a refurbished used laptop is a Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, it integrates naturally into existing corporate processes and standards. After refurbishment and technical audit the model is prepared for repeat business use with a real warranty and support from ITR Bulgaria — the difference between an unchecked used laptop and a refurbished business laptop with a professional origin.
Frequently asked questions ▼
What's the difference between the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s and the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490?
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is the thinner, lighter variant. A magnesium chassis, a start weight of around 1.27 kg (versus a starting weight of 1.46 kg on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490) and a bigger 57 Wh battery. The compromise is upgradeability: the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s memory is soldered, while the standard Lenovo ThinkPad T490 has a SO-DIMM slot for RAM upgrade and an option for discrete NVIDIA MX250 graphics. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is for people who prioritise weight; the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is for those who want upgrade headroom.
Is this the predecessor of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s?
Yes. A year after the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, Lenovo changed the naming scheme and the same slim philosophy continued under the name Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 1 (Intel). The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is one of the last models under the "T4xxs" numbering, which makes it a recognisable step in the history of the "s" models.
What platform does the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s use?
An Intel platform from the Whiskey Lake-U generation — quad-core Core i5 and i7 chips (incl. vPro options) with integrated UHD Graphics 620. This is an efficient U-series platform for productive office work, with the focus on battery life rather than heavy graphics work.
What configurations are common on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s?
The model comes in a wide range: Intel Core i5 or i7 (incl. vPro), soldered DDR4 memory of 8/16/32 GB, an M.2 NVMe SSD up to 1 TB (replaceable). On some units you may find: an IR camera for Windows Hello, a fingerprint reader, an optional 4G LTE WWAN module, Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), various display options (FHD 250–400 nits or WQHD HDR Dolby Vision up to 500 nits) and aluminium elements on the chassis. It's worth checking the specific unit.