Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s, specifically the model rocking the Ryzen 7 Pro processor. This little beast is a business-class ultrabook, and it's packed with features that make it a solid choice for professionals on the go. We'll be looking at everything from performance and battery life to build quality and overall user experience. So, buckle up, grab your favorite beverage, and let's get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions of the T495s

When you first unbox the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s, you're immediately greeted with that classic ThinkPad aesthetic: a sleek, matte black finish and a minimalist design. It's a look that screams professionalism and understated elegance. The device feels incredibly solid in your hands, thanks to its robust construction. Lenovo is known for its build quality, and the T495s is no exception. It's designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, making it a reliable companion for business travelers or anyone who needs a durable laptop. The size of the laptop is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. You can easily slip it into a backpack or briefcase without feeling weighed down. The inclusion of a range of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, ensures that you can connect to various peripherals and displays without needing to carry a bunch of dongles. The keyboard is, of course, a highlight. ThinkPads are renowned for their exceptional keyboards, and the T495s is no different. The keys have a comfortable travel distance and provide a satisfying tactile feedback, making typing a joy. The trackpad is also responsive and accurate, and the iconic TrackPoint (the red nub) is present for those who prefer it. Overall, the first impression is positive, with the T495s immediately conveying a sense of quality and reliability. Now, let's explore what's under the hood and see how it performs.

The Ryzen 7 Pro Powerhouse

The real star of the show in this configuration is the AMD Ryzen 7 Pro processor. This is a business-focused chip designed to deliver excellent performance and security features. The Ryzen 7 Pro offers a significant performance boost over previous generations. The Ryzen 7 Pro processor ensures that you can effortlessly handle demanding tasks like running multiple applications simultaneously, video conferencing, and content creation. The integrated Radeon Vega graphics provide a smooth visual experience for everyday tasks and even some light gaming. The Ryzen 7 Pro is also known for its energy efficiency, which translates into impressive battery life. This is a crucial factor for a laptop designed for productivity on the move. Lenovo has paired the Ryzen 7 Pro with a generous amount of RAM and fast storage options, which further enhance the overall performance. The T495s typically comes with at least 8GB of RAM, with options to upgrade to 16GB or even 32GB, which is more than enough for most users. The storage is usually handled by a fast NVMe SSD, ensuring that the operating system boots up quickly and applications load rapidly. This combination of powerful components makes the T495s a very capable machine for both work and play.

Performance and Benchmarks

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and see how the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s performs in the real world. We'll be looking at benchmarks and real-world usage scenarios to assess its capabilities. In terms of raw processing power, the Ryzen 7 Pro in the T495s handles tasks with ease. Whether you're working on spreadsheets, creating presentations, or editing documents, the laptop never feels sluggish. Multitasking is also a breeze, thanks to the ample RAM. You can have multiple applications open simultaneously without experiencing any slowdowns. The Radeon Vega graphics are capable of handling some light gaming. While it's not a gaming laptop, you can still play some less demanding games at decent frame rates. The integrated graphics also provide a smooth experience for video playback and content streaming. Battery life is a crucial factor for any laptop, especially an ultrabook designed for portability. The T495s, with its Ryzen 7 Pro processor, offers impressive battery life. You can expect to get a full day of work on a single charge, depending on your usage. The laptop's power-efficient components and optimizations contribute to its long battery life. The fast storage (SSD) ensures that the operating system and applications load quickly, further enhancing the overall performance experience. We performed a series of benchmarks to get a more objective assessment of the T495s's performance. The results confirmed our real-world observations: the laptop is a capable performer that can handle a wide range of tasks with ease. We tested different applications to gauge how well the laptop manages its resources, and it provided good results overall.

Gaming and Graphics Capabilities

While the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s isn't designed as a gaming powerhouse, let's see how it fares in this area. The integrated Radeon Vega graphics provide a surprisingly decent gaming experience for less demanding games. You can play titles like Fortnite, Overwatch, and CS:GO at playable frame rates, albeit with reduced graphics settings. If you're a casual gamer or enjoy playing older titles, the T495s will suffice. The display quality also affects the gaming experience. The T495s features a high-quality display that provides vivid colors and good viewing angles, enhancing the visual experience. Keep in mind that the T495s is not a substitute for a dedicated gaming laptop. If you're a serious gamer, you'll want a laptop with a dedicated graphics card. However, for casual gaming or light gaming on the go, the T495s is a capable option. The laptop's compact size and portability make it easy to take with you when you're traveling, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games wherever you are. Also, remember that the AMD Ryzen 7 Pro processor contributes significantly to the overall gaming performance. The CPU's processing power helps to avoid bottlenecks and ensures a smoother gaming experience. Although it's not a gaming laptop, the T495s surprises with its gaming capabilities.

Display, Audio and Build Quality

The Lenovo ThinkPad T495s excels in several key areas, including its display, audio, and overall build quality. These factors contribute significantly to the laptop's user experience and make it a pleasure to use. The display on the T495s is one of its standout features. It typically comes with a high-resolution, anti-glare panel that provides sharp images and vibrant colors. The anti-glare coating is especially useful in bright environments, reducing reflections and allowing you to work comfortably outdoors or in well-lit offices. The display also offers excellent viewing angles, so the image quality remains consistent regardless of the angle from which you're viewing the screen. The audio quality on the T495s is good for an ultrabook. The speakers provide clear and balanced sound, making it suitable for video conferencing, watching movies, and listening to music. The audio is not as powerful or immersive as what you'd find on a dedicated multimedia laptop, but it's more than adequate for everyday use. As for the build quality, it is where the ThinkPad really shines. The T495s is built to last, with a durable chassis that can withstand the rigors of daily use. It meets military-grade durability standards, meaning it has been tested for extreme conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and vibration. This makes it a reliable choice for professionals who travel frequently or work in demanding environments. The keyboard is another highlight. The ThinkPad keyboard is renowned for its comfortable key travel and tactile feedback, making typing a joy. The trackpad is also responsive and accurate, with the iconic TrackPoint providing an alternative input method for those who prefer it. Overall, the display, audio, and build quality of the T495s are impressive. These factors combine to create a premium user experience that makes the laptop a pleasure to use.

Ports and Connectivity

The Lenovo ThinkPad T495s offers a comprehensive selection of ports and connectivity options, ensuring that you can connect to various peripherals and displays without any hassle. This versatility is essential for professionals who need to connect to external monitors, projectors, and other devices. The laptop typically features two USB-C ports, one of which supports charging and DisplayPort, enabling you to connect to external displays and power the laptop using a single cable. It also includes two USB-A ports for connecting to legacy devices, such as external hard drives and printers. An HDMI port allows you to easily connect to external displays or projectors for presentations or watching movies. In addition to the physical ports, the T495s supports various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These wireless technologies enable you to connect to the internet and other devices wirelessly, further enhancing your productivity and convenience. The Wi-Fi module supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring fast and reliable internet connectivity. Bluetooth allows you to connect to wireless headphones, speakers, and other devices. These comprehensive connectivity options make the T495s a versatile and adaptable laptop that can meet the needs of any user. Whether you need to connect to external displays, peripherals, or the internet, the T495s has you covered.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the most critical aspects of any laptop, especially an ultrabook designed for portability, is its battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad T495s with the Ryzen 7 Pro excels in this area, offering impressive battery performance that can easily get you through a full workday. The actual battery life varies depending on your usage. However, you can expect to get around 8-10 hours of real-world use on a single charge. This means that you can work on the go without worrying about constantly searching for a power outlet. The laptop supports fast charging, which is a lifesaver when you need a quick top-up. You can charge the battery to 80% in about an hour, allowing you to quickly get back to work. This feature is particularly useful for business travelers or anyone who needs to be productive on the move. The Ryzen 7 Pro processor's energy efficiency plays a significant role in the T495s's excellent battery life. The processor is designed to consume less power, which extends the battery life without sacrificing performance. The laptop's power management system also optimizes power consumption, further enhancing battery performance. The T495s also offers different power modes that allow you to customize the battery life. You can select a mode that prioritizes performance or one that prioritizes battery life. This flexibility gives you greater control over your laptop's battery performance. Overall, the battery life and charging capabilities of the T495s are excellent. They make it a reliable and convenient laptop for professionals who need to work on the go.

The Keyboard and Trackpad Experience

Ah, the keyboard and trackpad – the heart and soul of any laptop experience! The Lenovo ThinkPad T495s is a clear winner in this department, boasting a keyboard and trackpad that are a joy to use. The keyboard is, of course, a highlight. The ThinkPad keyboard is legendary for its comfort, key travel, and tactile feedback. Typing on the T495s feels natural and precise, allowing you to type for extended periods without fatigue. The keys have a comfortable travel distance, and the tactile feedback provides a satisfying typing experience. The layout is well-designed, with the keys placed in an optimal configuration for fast and accurate typing. The inclusion of the iconic TrackPoint (the red nub) provides an alternative input method for those who prefer it. The TrackPoint allows you to control the cursor without taking your hands off the keyboard. The trackpad is also responsive and accurate. It offers smooth and precise cursor control, making it easy to navigate the screen and use gestures. The trackpad supports multi-touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling, making it even more convenient to use. Overall, the keyboard and trackpad experience on the T495s is exceptional. These elements contribute significantly to the laptop's overall user experience, making it a pleasure to type and navigate. If you spend a lot of time typing, you'll appreciate the comfort and precision of the T495s keyboard.

Security Features and Business Focus

The Lenovo ThinkPad T495s is designed with business users in mind, and it boasts a comprehensive suite of security features to protect your data and privacy. This makes it an ideal choice for professionals who need a secure and reliable laptop for work. The laptop features a fingerprint reader for secure login. This allows you to quickly and easily unlock your laptop without needing to type in a password. The fingerprint reader is accurate and reliable, providing an extra layer of security. The T495s also includes a physical webcam privacy shutter, allowing you to physically block the webcam when you're not using it. This feature prevents unauthorized access to your webcam and protects your privacy. The laptop incorporates a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip, which securely stores cryptographic keys and protects against malware attacks. This chip adds another layer of security, making it more difficult for hackers to access your data. The Ryzen 7 Pro processor itself has built-in security features designed to protect against threats. These features enhance the overall security of the laptop. The T495s also comes with Lenovo's suite of security software, which offers additional protection against viruses and malware. Overall, the security features of the T495s are comprehensive and robust. They ensure that your data and privacy are protected, making it a reliable and secure laptop for business use.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

Let's wrap things up with a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s with the Ryzen 7 Pro:

Pros:

• Excellent performance with the Ryzen 7 Pro processor
• Impressive battery life
• Durable and reliable build quality
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Comprehensive security features
• Lightweight and portable design
• Good display quality
• A wide selection of ports

Cons:

• Integrated graphics, not suitable for heavy gaming
• Price can be a bit higher than some competitors
• May not be the most stylish design for some

Conclusion: Is the T495s the Right Choice?

So, is the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s with the Ryzen 7 Pro the right choice for you? Overall, it's a fantastic business-class ultrabook that excels in many areas. It's a great choice for professionals who need a reliable, high-performance, and secure laptop for work. Its blend of power, portability, and excellent battery life makes it an ideal companion for those on the go. If you prioritize performance, build quality, and security, the T495s is definitely worth considering. However, if you're a gamer or if you're looking for a laptop with a more stylish design, you might want to look at other options. But for the vast majority of business users, the T495s is a solid and reliable choice that will serve you well. Thanks for tuning in, folks! I hope this review helped you make an informed decision about the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s. Until next time, stay tech-savvy!