Latitude 5401 vs ThinkPad T490: 15 metrics compared

The Latitude 5401 and the ThinkPad T490 are the 2019 refresh of the classic business 14: both moved to newer silicon, both land around $530 used, and both promise a meaningful step up from the T480/5490 generation. The comparison lands closer than their predecessors' — 7 wins to 4 for the Latitude with 4 ties — and the two machines split along an unusual line: the Latitude is the CPU machine, the ThinkPad is the balance machine.

Latitude 5401 vs ThinkPad T490: specs compared

The Latitude 5401's headline asset is processor headroom: a best-configuration CPU score of 59.5 against the T490's 46.2 — the 5401 was offered with the 45W six-core H-class CPUs that business laptops of this class rarely got. It also doubles the T490's RAM ceiling (64 GB vs 32 GB), scores better on screen (50 vs 44.9) and takes the value index 63.3 vs 59.8. The T490 strikes back with the better GPU ceiling (23.7 vs 8.3 — its optional MX250 outscoring the Latitude's best integrated-friendly configs), the better mobility (62 vs 49) and the better reliability score (39 vs 32), plus a lighter 1.46 kg body against 1.52 kg. Batteries tie at 48 Wh.

Gaming performance

Neither is a gaming machine, but the shapes differ. The T490's optional MX250 discrete GPU gives it the higher graphics ceiling — esports titles and lighter AAA fare at 1080p low are realistic. The 5401's gaming index of 22 belongs to its H-CPU integrated configurations: strong CPU-bound performance in older engines (strategy, MOBA, simulation) but no realistic path to modern 3D titles. For occasional gamers the T490 is the safer used buy; for CPU-bound work the 5401 is untouchable in this pair.

Battery and portability

Identical 48 Wh batteries, near-identical weights (1.46 vs 1.52 kg) — a clean tie in specs. Real-world endurance tilts to the T490: its U-series CPU sips power where the 5401's H-series chip drinks it under load. Buyers choosing the 5401 for its six cores should budget for being near an outlet more often.

Which to buy in 2026

Buy the Latitude 5401 if your workload compiles, renders, virtualizes or otherwise eats cores — the H-class CPU and 64 GB RAM ceiling make it the used-market sleeper of 2019 business laptops. Buy the ThinkPad T490 for the rounder package: better reliability scoring, lighter, longer-running, with just enough GPU for casual gaming. The data verdict — Latitude by 7 axes to 4 — is really a verdict about priorities, not quality.