Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 (AMD) review

The lightest way into the no-low-band AMD club

The ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 AMD (2021) at $686 completes the trio of six-core Ryzen 5 5600U machines at this price — alongside the T14 and X13 — and brings the lighter T14s frame: portability at 74.9 high-band with the same 43.85 matched graphics score, 1041.9 percent above the class median of 3.84.

Where it holds up

Mobility at 90 is top-quartile and reliability at 67 joins it in the top quartile. The flags repeat the family's strength: Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V and Rainbow Six Siege at recommended levels, Photoshop and Visual Studio Code at minimums. Office at 84.85 (high), photo design at 81 (high) and value at 68.1 (high) complete a sheet with, once again, no low band anywhere.

Where it falls short

The flagged weakness is the 32GB memory ceiling — 20 percent below the class median of 40 — the same single asterisk the whole AMD trio carries. The honest remainder: gaming at 44, modeling at 50 and CAD at 51 are mid-band ceilings on 2021 silicon, and the T14s chassis trades a little serviceability for its weight. That is the complete list of objections to a $686 machine this complete.

Price and depreciation

No launch anchor is recorded; the class-derived rate computes to 9.45 percent per year — among the gentlest in this batch. At $686 with value at 68.1, the economics mirror the T14 twin's: aged curve, complete sheet, small ask.

Alternatives to consider

The T14 Gen 2 AMD (listing 1887) at the same $686 is the roomier twin — 48GB against 32GB, portability 69.2 against 74.9. The X13 Gen 2 AMD (listing 1906) at the same price is the smaller-frame option with the best mobility of the three at 94. The Intel alternative, the T14s Gen 2 Intel (listing 1920) at the same $686, offers 48GB and a strong CPU but a low-band creative floor this machine does not have.

Bottom line

Fairly priced for the class. The lightest of the three $686 AMD siblings, with recommended-level game flags, high-band office, photo and value, and no low-band axis — the standing trade is a 32GB ceiling on 2021 silicon. Another quiet overperformer from the most consistently excellent price point in this batch.