Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G2: Thinking on a Budget

Today we take a short look at this plastic ThinkPad, the L14 G2. Built to a budget, it has lots of sockets for swapping parts, which some of the more expensive models don't have in this generation. Thankfully, modern generations seem to be returning to upgradable parts.

PSREF:

HMM:

Looking for one yourself? Check eBay and your local classifieds. Amazon also has a series of parts and machines. By purchasing from the links below, as an Amazon and eBay Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases that go to supporting the channel.

eBay:

If you are looking for the latest and greatest version of this laptop, I suggest heading over to Lenovo's website to see what they have been up to recently. As a member of the Lenovo Affiliate Program, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through this link.

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0:00 Introduction
0:37 Specifications
2:36 Ports and Features
4:03 Disassembly
6:59 Start-Up
7:38 Conclusions

[juanignacioaschura]

Here you can see what separates the E-Series from the L-Series: Look at that interior! The configurations! The modularity! The sturdiness! What a beauty indeed.

[jhnadrn]

That’s one of the latest revisions of an 11th gen Intel ThinkPad as it has the new Windows 11 logo printed at the keyboard just like my T14 G2. It looks neat as not all 11th gen laptops have that new Windows logo

[ithinkabout]

The L14 G1 / G2 is significant because it's the only L series generation with a Magnesium roll cage frame

[DeathlyHollows]

Always making concise informative vids. Thanks!

[express]

Great machine, very upgradable. I actually like the build more then the T series because of the smooth surfaces. Reminds me of my old T450s I have done some mods to my i7 L15 g1(bought for 100€ with a bad dock port, barebone) tho: L15 gen2 AMD dualpipe copper heatsink, AX200 wifi (came without), 16GB dual channel ram, 512GB samsung oem SSD and the new dock port. I also have a glass touchpad leftover from my old T580. Haven't tried fitting the second drive yet, but im overall impressed with this machine.

[charanravi-ut]

Hey I would like to know that when you mentioned a pretty solid battery 45Wh for a normal usage. What do you mean in terms of battery usage time how much longer will it take(100-20). I just bought L14 gen2 but my battery cycle is pretty worn out so I am choosing to opt for a battery replacement unfortunately only OEM parts are available at the moment and it would only withstand upto 2-3 hrs of battery usage time for a normal usage ( lite browsing, movie streaming). So I would like to know is it a good time to change it and personally if it stands 4-5 hrs on normal usage that's perfect for me.

[jakgd]

I recently found this model. I've been looking for a good upgradable Thinkpad. I'm between the T480 and T480s, but now with this L14 Gen 2 I don't know what to do.

I'm in a strict budget right now... The T480, T480s and L14 Gen 2 cost almost the same at this moment. I just want a "decent" laptop, not the most expensive or something like that. The fact and the most important to me, is the possibility to change or upgrade the RAM and SSD/NVME.

Someone could guide me? I want to do the most correct choose.

[ilyasElmaliki]

Thanks man for the amazing review 👏🏻 i just wanna ask you if this laptop good foe video editing ( adobe premeir pro, photoshop .. color correcrion .., medium tasks, not 3D editing .. )
Is its carte grafic good for this level of the above tasks !

[tedarmavan]

I personally always thought that first 2 generations of L14 kinda carrying a resemblance of the T480, they're quite similar in design term. Only real difference is type of storage: T480 can use 2.5" SSD, L14 gen 1/2 can't.

[heres_jane]

Would Thinkpad L14 i7 11th gen be suitable with a computer science student, for programming, coding, using android studio, etc...?

[blikblik]

What about thinkpad p52 ? If you had, can you review it?

[the_beefy]

I'm surprised the screws in the bottom aren't captive. I *really* wish they'd start putting the USB-C/Power on a daughter card like the rectangular DC jacks always were. I've replaced multiple DC jacks over the years because people are so rough on them.

[mesopotamialover]

I had the T570s before, processor wise, it was fast it has the intel core I5-730OU, but I did not like the small screen size which is 14 inch and its resolution or colour is very bad, I did like the long battery half life but the speakers were small and the sound is horrible.
Now I have the thinkpad T580 intel core I7-8550U it has 15´ bigger display with better resolution and colours. and the processor is fast and has good speakers.