The ThinkPad T420s has to face devices like the Dell Latitude E6420, as well as the HP EliteBook 8460p. The competition in the battle for the favor of financially strong corporate customers is enormous. The manufacturer only skimps in view of the memory configuration and equips the nearly 1800€ notebook with only 4 gigabytes. The entry level models however don't have this feature. The HD Graphics 3000 integrated in the processor is additionally backed by a dedicated Nvidia Quadro NVS 4200M with Optimus support. Lenovo hasn't made cutbacks in configuration and installs a Core i7-2640M and a fast 160 GB SSD from Intel. Our test device has been given the name ThinkPad T420s 4174-PEG (NV8PEGE) and represents the top model of the series. While the immediate predecessor of the T410s still had processors from the Arrandale generation, the latest Sandy Bridge generation is now used.

However, it also has to manage with a smaller 44 Wh battery. The T420s is a lot lighter and compacter than the previously reviewed T420 despite the same 14 inch size.

In the following, we will examine to what extent the ThinkPad 420s can keep these promises. The greatest robustness, high performance hardware and long battery runtimes are the qualities that let the manufacturer of the T series especially stand out. Hardly another notebook range in the business sector enjoys such a high reputation as the ThinkPad models from Lenovo.

Lenovo red button for model t420s