- August 4, 2020
Lenovo’s line of ThinkPad laptops are often considered the gold-standard in business-class devices. Feature-rich, rugged, and secure, the ThinkPad line is designed to meet the demands of the business user. Not to be confused with the ThinkBook line, which is more of a consumer- focused product, Lenovo’s ThinkPad’s are often the go-to products for the demanding modern workplace user.
When comparing ThinkPad vs. ThinkBook, we believe that some of the following criteria are key differences to consider when selecting the proper device to fit your needs:
Features
Flexibility and productivity are two of the top criteria on everyone’s list when comparing PC’s. Devices need to be fast and they need to work instantly regardless of location or connection (i.e. wireless network). Both the ThinkPad and ThinkBook laptops operate on Windows 10 and are optimized to work in Office 365. Both product lines have similar performance and power with Intel Core and i5 or i7 processors.
The ThinkPad, however, does have a leg up in terms of additional features such as the touchscreen, longer battery life, lighter weight, and TrackPoint support. There are also generally more upgrade options available for the ThinkPad.
Security
The ThinkBook does not skimp on security. There are several added elements for security that consumers come to expect of Lenovo. This includes the webcam shutter and finger-print reader power-button.
The ThinkPad, however, includes additional security features that make it more attractive for the work-from-anywhere employees handling sensitive material, such as the PrivacyGuide screen protector.
Design
From a design perspective, the ThinkBook is slightly more stylish and modern-looking than the ThinkPad. Both machines are light, slim, and easy to transport, but being a being a consumer-focused product, the ThinkBook offers a little more flare than the rugged ThinkPad design.
The ThinkBook offers a 180-degree screen range and its keyboard is very similar to the ThinkPad with minimal noise, backlit keys, and top row of hotkeys. However, the ThinkPad has soft touch keys and a TrackPoint, which can be a deciding factor for some.
A more crucial difference between the two are the included ports and charger. The ThinkBook 13s includes one full-sized HDMI, two USB-A, one USB-C, a headphone jack, and the power port. The USB-C port is not charging compatible as it is for the ThinkPad. The ThinkPad 390x, for example, features all of the ports included with the ThinkBook 13s, plus USB-C charging, a thunderbolt port, and options like card reader and a 360-degree screen in the Yoga model.
Cost
Cost is certainly a differentiator among the two product lines. The ThinkBook is priced to compete with some consumer-based models and fits a more price-conscious, consumer-centric, retail approach. The ThinkPad is a more serious business laptop and has a wide range of pricing depending on the features and upgrades added. Utilizing a Device as a Service (DaaS) approach, or, even better, a Modern Workplace as a Service (MWaaS) approach to deploying laptops across an organization, the actual difference in cost can actually be very minimal on a monthly basis.
Learn more about how we partner with our clients to control costs and modernize their workplaces with Lenovo technology and the Microsoft Modern Workplace.
Honorable Mention
An all-around favorite for 2-in-1, plus portability, productivity, and security is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga because it includes all of the baseline features of the 13s model with a longer battery life and Rapid Charge battery reaching 80% charge in an hour. Some of the more unique features speak to the extreme nature of the Yoga; it can handle extreme weather conditions, hefty drops, and is resistant to spill damage.
Bottom Line
For typical day-to-day needs, such as web browsing, light word-processing and spreadsheet use, and occasional Zoom or Teams meetings, the new ThinkBook line can easily handle these tasks. For more demanding users and those that need advanced security, speed, connectivity, and multitasking, the ThinkPad continues to be the top choice for business users.
