ZDNET's key takeaways Lenovo's fifth-generation ThinkPad T14s is available now for $2,649.
It's a particularly hardy laptop and boasts solid battery life.
However, the Intel chipset delivers puts a cap on high-end performance. View now at Best Buy View now at Lenovo more buying choices
Lenovo is holding a new clearance sale for the ThinkPad T14s Gen 5. The base model has dropped to $1,214, its lowest price yet.
Lenovo has seven distinct ThinkPad categories on its website, each with a unique style. The T Series, for example, specializes in "highly durable" business laptops with long battery lives. No other model exemplifies this concept than the fifth-generation ThinkPad T14s.
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When I took the device out of the box, the first thing I noticed was how hefty it was. It's not a heavy machine - the computer weighs a little over three pounds - but for a ThinkPad, it is uncharacteristically thick. Lenovo seemingly decided to give this model an especially durable form factor, one that reminds me of rugged laptops like the Panasonic Toughbook 40 Mk2. While it's not as durable as that beast, it's tougher than your average mobile computer.
The model's chassis is entirely aluminum, and according to Lenovo, it has been "tested against twelve military-grade certification methods and over 26 procedures." It can survive intense vibrations, extreme temperatures, sand, and, apparently, fungi. I wasn't able to beat the laptop up during my testing, but you can feel comfortable knowing that the ThinkPad will pull through tough spots.
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Regarding other design aspects, it has a wonderful-feeling keyboard. The keys are slightly indented, guiding your fingers toward the center, and are evenly spaced. These two factors work together to create a comfortable experience. I also appreciate the placement of the speakers; They sit on either side of the keyboard facing up so the audio output won't be muffled.
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