ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Intel Review: My Long Search for a Laptop is Finally Over

 Looking back, it has been a truly long journey. I traveled far and wide, metaphorically, to find a laptop that met my standards. I went through countless devices: the Samsung GalaxyBook, ASUS Zenbook, HP EliteBook, Surface Pro and Laptop, and even the MacBook. Then, like a salmon swimming upstream, I returned to the ThinkPad. I simply couldn't find the unique charm of its tactile keyboard, ruggedly handsome black exterior, and the iconic red "TrackPoint" in any other laptop.

I wasn't too worried about the low power consumption of the new Lunar Lake processor, as I had already experienced it with the Galaxy Book 5 Pro and the HP EliteBook. However, its 58Wh battery capacity is smaller than that of other recent laptops, so I didn't expect an exceptionally long battery life. Here are the specs of the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 I purchased:

• CPU: 258v
• RAM/SSD: 32GB / 512GB 
• Display: FHD+ (1920x1200), Low Power, 500nits, Anti-Glare
• Connectivity: 5G Sub-6 Cellular

I ultimately chose the model with slightly superior performance. Now, let me share my honest thoughts on each aspect.

1. Battery: Expectation vs. Reality

While reviews from sites like 'Notebookcheck' promised incredibly long battery life, my real-world experience wasn't quite as stellar. For general document work, you can expect about 10 hours of use.

The battery drain varied significantly depending on the task. When watching YouTube or Netflix, it consumed about 12% per hour. It wasn't the "super battery" I had hoped for, but considering the 58Wh capacity, it's more than satisfactory. What impressed me was that for late-night web surfing and light document tasks, it sometimes consumed only 6% per hour. This means that battery consumption varies greatly with screen brightness.

2. Display: Good, But a Little Lacking in Brightness

The model I bought has the low-power display option. To be honest, it doesn't feel like a "great" display. Perhaps this is because the last laptop I used was a Galaxy Book 5 Pro with an OLED screen. I can't shake the feeling that the brightness is definitely lacking.

Of course, I personally prefer a comfortable anti-glare (AG) screen over a vibrant glossy one. It's like preferring a mild, savory hot pot broth over a spicy one. For laptops, I prefer a soft-toned LCD to avoid any burn-in concerns.

The spec sheet says the display is 500 nits, but it doesn't feel brighter than previous models. Interestingly, my first ThinkPad was a P16s (AMD 7840U) which had a 400-nit display, and the P16s's screen actually felt brighter. The display on the T14s Gen 6 is decent overall, but the brightness is a noticeable drawback. If you're a fan of the punchy colors of OLED screens, you might be even more disappointed. I strongly recommend considering your personal display preferences before buying.

One more minor disappointment is the lack of an auto-brightness feature. I miss that small, convenient touch from the GalaxyBook. Of course, if you prefer a stable brightness that doesn't change unexpectedly, this could actually be a plus for you.

3. Speakers: Exactly What You'd Expect from a Business Laptop

Frankly, I don't use my laptop speakers much. I think it's inconsiderate to have loud notifications or video sounds in public, so I almost always use earphones. But when I occasionally want to listen to music loudly at home, I find myself missing my MacBook.

Compared to the MacBook's speakers, the bass and sound separation are significantly lacking. Since the T14s is a business laptop, I didn't have high expectations, and it performed exactly at that level. The feeling is best described as, "Well, the sound comes out, and it's fine." Don't expect much from the speakers.

4. Keyboard: Undisputedly the Best

It's the best. This is the biggest reason I came back to ThinkPad. The typing feel is incredibly tactile and satisfying. People say that modern ThinkPad keyboards have gotten worse compared to older models, which just makes me wonder, "How amazing were they back then?"

The key travel is unparalleled, and the typing sound is a pleasant, low-pitched "thocky" sound. It feels similar to a Surface keyboard, but the build quality is far superior, and the sound is a bit more crisp. The spacebar, in particular, has a delightful crispness, like a cymbal in a drum kit. The "thump-thump-thump-CHING!" rhythm is music to my ears.

If you do a lot of document writing, the ThinkPad is the answer. This is not up for debate. The fact that you often see lawyers at top firms with ThinkPads in their hands is a testament to its excellent keyboard. The best keyboard on a laptop is on a ThinkPad. It's a fact you can take to the bank.

5. Touchpad: The Worst Experience, and a DIY Fix

It rattles. It's the worst. The bottom part of the touchpad clicks, but there's so much play that it produces a rattling noise. It is genuinely the worst touchpad noise I have ever heard on any laptop.

I couldn't stand it, so I ended up opening the bottom panel and performing a DIY fix using electrical tape to fill the gap between the touchpad and the chassis. I've sacrificed the physical click, but I'm happy now that the noise is gone. You can use tap-to-click on Windows anyway. I traded the click for silence.

I wish Lenovo offered a Forcepad option, like on the X1 Carbon. The fact that it's not available on the T14s feels like blatant product tiering, which is disappointing. If you're not confident enough to open it up and fix it yourself, you'll have to live with the rattle or use a mouse. The touchpad is also too small. Unlike the keyboard, the touchpad is full of disappointments.

6. The TrackPoint (The 'Red Dot'): ThinkPad's Symbol and Its Saving Grace

The shortcomings of the touchpad are forgiven thanks to the ThinkPad's icon: the 'TrackPoint'. This red dot, which glows elegantly on the lid and proudly sits in the center of the keyboard, is the identity of the ThinkPad.

The biggest advantage of the TrackPoint is that you can move the mouse cursor and scroll quickly without ever taking your hands off the keyboard. It's especially useful when you need to move the cursor while typing rapidly. The TrackPoint fully compensates for the touchpad's flaws.

7. Build Quality: The Aesthetics of Solidity

Absolutely top-notch. There is almost no flex in the lid or chassis, allowing for incredibly stable typing. The wobbly display hinge common in many lightweight laptops is non-existent here. The screen doesn't shake, even with fast typing.

It's a bit stiff, so you can't open it with one hand, but I consider that a major advantage over a wobbly screen. Furthermore, despite its solid build, the bottom panel is surprisingly easy to remove. Just undo the screws and gently pry the edges with a plastic card. The first thing I did when I received it was open it up to upgrade the SSD. I'm confident I'll be able to easily replace the battery myself when its lifespan ends. The robust build quality and ease of disassembly are huge advantages of the ThinkPad.

8. Other Differentiators: The Freedom of Connectivity, Anywhere

The biggest differentiator is its cellular support. You can connect to the internet freely wherever there's an LTE or 5G network. I'm currently using a data-sharing SIM, and the speed is very satisfactory. It seems to use slightly more battery than Wi-Fi, but the difference is negligible.

Being able to sit on the subway, open my T14s, and immediately get to work—this is the true utility of a laptop. The ability to be online anywhere you open the lid is an incomparable advantage.

The Fn+F8 shortcut to switch between 'Best Power Efficiency,' 'Balanced,' and 'Best Performance' modes is also very convenient. It makes me think of the Mac, which doesn't need such a feature, but in the Windows environment, it's a very intuitive and useful tool.

Conclusion: Still the Best Choice, Despite Its Flaws

As expected, "the original" is in a class of its own. A Windows laptop with over 10 hours of battery life and an unparalleled keyboard is likely only found with a ThinkPad.

The touchpad is a major drawback, and the display is somewhat disappointing. Nevertheless, I have no desire to switch to another laptop. I waited for over two weeks of intensive use to write this review to avoid the initial "honeymoon phase" praise.

If you prioritize business productivity like document writing and web surfing, and you want the freedom of being connected anywhere, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 will be the best choice for you.