Hi guys,

So I’ve been debating whether to get a T14s or T14 AMD version recently here in the UK.

Presently (I’m sure there was in the past, but now seems to have been pulled...) we cannot get the t14s with the AMD 4750u and 32gb of ram. The only option we have is the AMD ryzen 5 pro 4650u with 16gb of ram. This is making me think I may be best ordering from America and having it imported. Even when shipping, import and everything else is taken into consideration, the price is very similar to the UK model (actually £150 cheaper and includes a 4g card whereas it’s extra in the UK). The only thing putting me off from this is I cannot return the laptop easily at all if there are any issues, and as the 4750u processor isn’t sold in the UK officially (since pulled as above), if I have any issues down the line will it be covered under warranty? I.E a motherboard replacement, they may turn round and say sorry we can’t fix it because it’s not UK spec, despite being covered by the worldwide warranty etc....any thoughts on these issues? I would then also need to replace the keyboard for a UK spec one which is extra money on top, and they seem pretty hard to find at the moment.

The t14 we can get with the 4750u, but I am a little weary as the built quality does not seem as solid as the S model (plastic bottom cover and top cover, 50whr battery compared to 57whr in the S model etc....

I can always play it safe and get the ryzen 5 4650u with 16gb ram in the S model, not really sure if I’m going to benefit from the extra power of the ryzen 7 anyway - I mainly just do a lot of zipping and unzipping etc, general tasks and car diagnostics. Would the ryzen 5 provide better battery life over the 7? I wanted 32gb of ram just for future proofing really, I will only have 1-2 vm’s on the machine.

Apologies in advance, there’s no real structure to this post and I’ve just blurted out onto this page...

TLDR;

1) Should I buy the t14s 4750u/32gb and have it imported, swap out the keyboard etc

2) should I buy the t14 and have it as above without the import, but sacrifice built quality and feel and a smaller battery

3) get the t14s with ryzen 5/16gb and live with it? 

Hello Boj271,

as an advice and my related experience to your questions ... I'm in Switzerland, and here the t14/t14s is available with the 4650u and the 4750u so my experience here is different from yours in the UK. 

I own a T14/4750u/32G, and received it after 5 weeks as announced on Lenovo store. I take the T14 instead of t14s mainly  because of the thermals problems of the t14s ... For me 1 soldered ram is better than 2 ... with the t14s your upgrade options is 0. The 7whr battery difference is not significant... and finally I like the rubber feeling of the T14 more than the metal feeling of the T14s  considering the prints is more visible on the T14s...(this is subjective)

First of all, if you need/want  the extra performance of the 4750u you should take in consideration that the T14 increase the performance around  10 to 15% compared to the T14s, because the heat dissipations is better on the T14. So if you need performance go for the T14. The quality build of both are very good.

1) Should I buy the t14s 4750u/32gb and have it imported, swap out the keyboard etc

The keyboard swap is different on the T14 vs T14s. On the T14 you don't have to open your laptop and it takes like 5 minutes (2 screws).. on the T14s you have to open all your laptop maybe not more difficult but longer for sure.  I don't have any experience concerning the international warranty on Lenovo but i know that in EU the standard warranty is 3 years in the EU and 1 in the US.... For me having a great laptop but to be afraid and have the mental charge of a valid warranty or not is unacceptable. So in any case, if you are not 100% sure that the warranty is equivalent, I could not advice you to import it. 

2) should I buy the t14 and have it as above without the import, but sacrifice built quality and feel and a smaller battery

For me there is no difference for the quality build .. and because of the better thermals /upgrade options /warranty process I wont hesitate  and go for the T14 .. But because the quality and feel could be subjective you should read articles and compare both of them to shape your opinion. https://www.cruisetech.co.uk/blogs/news/lenovo-thinkpad-t14s-vs-t14

3) get the t14s with ryzen 5/16gb and live with it? 

I think the T14s could be better with the 4650u... in some ways. You can compare the t14s performance (from this article) to my personal tests , on my T14.          

My advice is to go for the T14 with 4750u .... or wait for the T14s in UK unless you dissipate your doubt about the warranty for import. 

I hope it helps.

Best regards

Thank you for such a great in-depth reply! 
 

I have since found a lot of German websites that will allow me to configure each machine to how I want and as we are still in the EU, no import tax etc....so will wait for Black Friday before reviewing all my options. 
 

I heard the t14 has an extra heatsink so performance will be better, still debating what to do....also asked if i buy from Germany, can they install a UK keyboard before shipping etc. 
 

cannot see 4750u on swiss Lenovo website anymore either :( 

Hello again, 

this is a print screen of the Swiss Lenovo Shop .. 2 minutes ago ... so it is available ... The black friday is good option for costs saving but it coult be cancel this year because it this bloody virus .. 

But 6 weeks for delivery ... ..... for the black friday it will probably be the same ... 

Ah apologies - do they have the t14s on the Swiss website With 4750u? 

Thanks! I emailed Lenovo and they have advised me the 32gb/4750u option is going to be in stock at the end of November in the UK which lines up well with Black Friday....we will see what happens!