Introduction
Businesses and professionals looking for a laptop that is functional and suitable for work should take a look at the Lenovo Think Pad T440s.
Lenovo recently released an improvement in the ThinkPad T line of laptop computers. The T440s still provides many of the well liked features in the ThinkPad such as the durable construction and generous number of connectivity options. However, Lenovo has taken significant strides to make a few much needed improvements in the screen and the processing performance and other features in an effort to define the T440s as a business class laptop.
Design and Aesthetics.
In terms of the design, Lenovo has maintained the attractive and durable black chassis it included in the predecessors to the T440s. Although a black laptop is very common, Lenovo has designed the chassis on the ThinkPad T440s to make it look professional and understated.
The lid is constructed of carbon fibre material that has been reinforced and is soft to the touch. The bottom of the T440s is made of magnesium alloy that has a durable look and feel and is fingerprint resistant. The understated black design is continued around to the keyboard with a subtle colouration on the buttons around the trackpad.
The T440s is also built with a thinner profile sporting dimensions of 13 x 0.81 x 8.90 inches and a weight of 3.5 pounds. This makes for a very functional device that is easily portable for business professionals who travel.
When you open the lid, a high quality keyboard is revealed along with a generously sized touchpad that measures in at 2.75 x 1.5 inches. The keyboard is surrounded by the attractive styling we described in the casing and is designed to resist the occasional and inadvertent coffee spill.
The keys have a rounded shape that is comfortable to the touch with an inward curve in the centre of each key that improves your grip when typing. The keys are also well-spaced with ample travel distance to provide for a pleasant typing experience.
Lenovo has also kept the high quality trackpad design with the left and right mouse functions located along the top portion of the trackpad. The functions are easily identifiable with a raised texture that is separated by a red line. The trackpad stick is conveniently placed in the middle of the keyboard to provide improved functionality when performing daily work tasks.
The trackpad consists of a durable rubber material that is designed to follow touch gestures for improved accuracy. Additionally, a portion of the trackpad consists of the left and right mouse buttons with a touchpad that has a surface that is easy to navigate without having to deal with inaccuracies.
Thinkpad T440s Specifications.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T440s is equipped with a 14-inch IPS (In Plane Switching) display with 1920 x 1080 resolution. The IPS technology provides improved viewing angles with the ability to see the screen on either side without worrying about the colours washing out.
The display also provides 10-point touch technology which provides fast and efficient response to touch gestures when working with the Windows 8.1 Modern UI (User Interface). The screen accepts swiping, scrolling, pinching and many other gestures and makes using Desktop mode a lot more efficient when performing business tasks.
Processing Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad T440s is equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.10GHz which is plenty of power for multitasking and using complex business applications. The T440s also offers 8GB of Random Access Memory (RAM) with a 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD).
The T440s also provides fourth generation integrated graphics with an Intel HD Graphics 4400 co-processor. Integrated graphics is a key component for business laptops when it comes to working with multimedia presentations and other applications. This is because the performance is smoother with integrated graphics, as opposed to devices equipped with dedicated graphics.
Port Connectivity and Webcam
Lenovo has retained the robust variety of connectivity ports the ThinkPad is known for. On one side of the device you will find two USB 3.0 ports which offer faster performance and are backwards compatible with the older USB 2.0 specification. There is also one SmartCard reader and one mini DisplayPort.
On the right hand side of the T440s laptop is a 4-in-1 SD card reader for expanded storage, one VGA port for connecting an external monitor, and one more USB 3.0 port for connecting USB peripherals and storage devices. You will also find a 3.5mm combination headphone/microphone jack for listening to audio and chatting on Skype and an Ethernet port for using a wired Internet connection with Ethernet cable.
On the top of the display screen is a webcam with a 720p resolution which is just average and does not produce crystal clear images. However, 720p is a high enough resolution for holding video-conferences on Skype, but it will not show every hair on your head or every thread in your clothing material. The video playback is quite good with no blurring issue with motion.
Wireless Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad T440s is equipped with 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity for accessing the nearest wireless hotspot or the wireless network at your business. You also have access to Bluetooth 4.0 for connecting Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Audio
The ThinkPad T440s is equipped with two speakers that are conveniently located on either side of the keyboard. The Dolby speakers with Home Theater version 4 are designed to provide clear audio that is free of distortion when the volume is adjusted to the maximum level. The speakers are also designed to provide you with a complete surround sound experience in a small space. This is convenient when using the T440s for business presentations.
Additionally, the Dolby Home Theater version 4 audio software offers enhancements for listening to audio. The software offers the ability to create sound profiles for video, music, and games, in addition to a volume leveller and equaliser. The software is enabled by default with a noticeable difference in sound quality if you decide to disable it.
Battery Life
The Lenovo ThinkPad 440s is available with a choice of two different batteries. You can choose the standard 3-cell Lithium ion battery or a six-cell Lithium ion battery with extended life. The six-cell battery is available at an additional cost of only £3.30.
There is also a second three-cell battery that is non-removable. This allows you to switch out the battery packs without being required to power down the laptop. Although this is convenient, it is worth mentioning that the additional battery pack creates more thickness in the design of the laptop since the extended battery is thicker than the swap out battery.
Why is it Suitable for Businesses and Professionals?
In addition to the features we described earlier, the Lenovo ThinkPad T440s ships with very little bloatware, a nice selection of productivity apps, and Lenovo apps that are specifically designed for business users. The Lenovo apps include Solution Centre, System Update, QuickControl, and QuickCast.
Solution Centre keeps you informed whenever any issues may occur with the T440s such as software problems or a disabled antivirus program. Then it steps you through fixing the problem in just a few easy steps.
System Update is a Lenovo app that allows you to easily access the latest updates for installed software and drivers. This is beneficial to business users since a software glitch or outdated driver can often cause other issues with your device that can impede productivity.
QuickControl is a useful Lenovo app for business professionals that deliver a lot of presentations. With QuickControl, you can control the ThinkPad T440s using your smartphone as a remote control by using the touch screen on your phone to simulate the touch pad on the T440s. You can also use QuickControl to switch back and forth between applications you have open on your laptop and send text to the T440s using the on-screen keyboard on your phone.
Lenovo also offers apps such as QuickCast that are specific to Windows 8.1. QuickCast is a Lenovo app that allows two devices to communicate with one another. If each device has QuickCast installed, you can easily send messages and transfer files between the two devices.
The Settings app by Lenovo provides a way to configure the ThinkPad T440s to function as a mobile hotspot, automatically update settings according to where you are currently located, and adjust the power settings to get the most out of the battery life. Additionally, if you video-conference frequently on Skype, you can use the Settings app to configure the microphone to allow multiple users to participate in the discussion, as well as reduce keyboard noise while holding a video chat.
Other apps geared toward Windows 8.1 include Evernote Touch note taking application, AccuWeather, and Nitro Pro 8 for reading PDF files. Lenovo has also included Microsoft apps such as OneDrive and Microsoft Office as well.
How Much Does it Cost? Is it Worth the Money?
The Lenovo ThinkPad T440s delivers a lot of valuable features for the money and can be easily defined as a high quality business laptop. With a price tag of approximately £865, it is very accurate to say the ThinkPad T440s is definitely worth the money with a great display screen, nice selection of business productivity apps, excellent keyboard, and a lightweight but durable design. Additionally, the fact that you can easily swap out the batteries without having to shut down the device makes the T440s convenient for business travellers.
Accessories
On Lenovo’s official site you can purchase a ThinkPad UltraSlim USB DVD Burner, or a ThinkPad Laser Bluetooth Mouse if you would prefer this over the trackpad, along with other accessories. There is a selection of carrying cases available also. If you are just looking for a sleeve case to slip the Lenovo ThinkPad T440s into then Emartbuy sell a range of colourful and designed for the price of £8.99.
What Are the Pros and Cons?
If you have the opportunity to take the ThinkPad T440s for a test drive, we think you will find a lot to like about this laptop. Here are a few pros and cons to round out the review:
Pros
High quality display screen with 10-point touch functionality and IPS is perfect for business.
Lightweight and durable design enhances portability.
Excellent processing performance provides for easy multitasking.
Power Bridge technology ensures longer battery life.
The ability to swap out the batteries while the device is running provides convenience.
Nice selection of pre-installed business apps improves productivity.
High quality keyboard and generously sized touch pad makes performing business tasks a pleasant experience.
Cons
Design for the extended battery is unusual.
Webcam is not bad but could use some improvement.
Conclusion
About the Author
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