Two are better than one. Lenovo's business newcomer features two batteries rather than one. That enables a battery life that makes the contenders green with envy in view of its powerful hardware. An LTE modem ensures the required flexibility, data is protected extensively, and the input devices are again close to perfect. All the more aggravating that it was not enough for an IPS screen.

While choosing the comparison laptops for this test, we primarily made sure that they aim at the same target group, have the same size, and they also feature a Full HD screen. Among others, the following laptops fulfill these specifications: Toshiba Tecra Z50 A-12K , Dell Latitude E5550 , and HP EliteBook 850 G1 .

As a rule, business users prefer highly portable, robust laptops with good input devices, the appropriate security and connectivity configuration, and long battery runtimes. Lenovo's T lineup has stood for all these qualities for years, and it now gains a family member dubbed ThinkPad T550. The buyer gets a swift i7 dual-core, 8 GB of memory, a 256 GB SSD and Full HD screen, which is, unfortunately, only based on TN technology, for a steep price of approximately 1800 Euros (~$1888). The security package is to completely satisfy all needs, and the T550 is also prepared for administration in corporate networks. An LTE module with GPS ensures wide-ranging independence from Wi-Fi nets that are not available everywhere. An overview of the different T550 versions can be found here , starting on page 82.

The sandstone-like looks of the display back's soft-touch surface is non-slip, somewhat susceptible to fingerprints, and it is not very easy to clean. The upper side of the base is easier to clean; its lightly roughened plastic also makes a high-quality impression. The base could be warped slightly with a lot of effort and only produced a very quiet crackling noise. The metal hinges are no strangers, but they are pulled a bit too tight here, making it necessary to hold down the base when opening it. However, the laptop barely wobbles when the laptop is moved abruptly. The build is impeccable and justifies the price. According to the manufacturer, the laptop has successfully passed various military tests regarding environmental influences , such as high and low temperatures, humidity, dust, and vibrations.

ThinkPad-typical forms, design elements and materials ensure that the T550 is immediately recognized as a member of Lenovo's business family despite its reworked casing. Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), which is both light and unbreakable, ensures a low weight of just 2.1 kg in conjunction with the necessary rigidness for on-the-move. The tester also found that the fairly slim ThinkPad with a height of 23 mm felt light in relation to its size subjectively.

Lenovo also installs an obsolete VGA port in the T550 making it possible, for example, to connect old projectors in conference rooms. The mini-DisplayPort points to the future and can be turned into an HDMI-out via an adapter sold for approximately 10 Euros (~$10) in retail. Lenovo completely relies on the USB 3.0 standard and provides three of these ports distributed over both sides. A Gigabit Ethernet port is available for stationary use, and a docking port for the ThinkPad Pro Dock with many additional interfaces is on the underside. Although the ports are not positioned ideally, i.e. at the very rear, they are at least centered.

Communication

The business user is only really mobile and independent with a laptop that has a wireless modem. The one in the T550 supports the high-speed LTE and GPS in addition to UMTS. LTE of the tester's micro-SIM is limited to 7.2 Mbps, but the speed was even surpassed slightly despite the mediocre reception. Of course, Wi-Fi is also installed in the form of Intel's Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7265 top module, which calls itself "Gigabit WLAN" and supports the less frequented 5 GHz band. Since the antenna obviously also plays a role, the ThinkPad T550 excelled with an above average reception performance in the tester's personal test setup where architectural obstructions were gradually added while increasing the distance to the router. The transmission rate decreased later and not as evidently in the majority of other previously tested laptops.

Security

In addition to the Kensington lock found in virtually every laptop, Lenovo's ThinkPad T550 provides an extensive security configuration, including an SSD that can be encrypted via hardware, system and BIOS passwords, a SmartCard reader, and a fingerprint scanner. BitLocker is only available under Windows 8.1. A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) in the TCG 1.2 standard is also installed. It is possible to remotely locate the device or delete data if it has been stolen or left in an airport lobby via Intel's Anti-Theft. However, a contract involving costs is needed. The integrated SmartCard reader also serves secure authentication. We compiled further information about the listed security features here.

Accessories

Besides the power supply, a leaflet with safety, warranty and setup information is in the box. Another sheet reveals that media for installing the licensed Windows 8 Pro has to be ordered from Lenovo and might involve shipping expenses. That is weak in view of the laptop's steep price.

Maintenance

The battery is easy to remove, and that is the only maintenance option. Disassembling the device is the only way to access the innards, and that did not come into question for our shop model. Non-savvy users will likely have difficulties since there is no base plate and the tray is pulled up to the base's upper side. Positive: Lenovo at least provides detailed instructions. However, business users will not tamper with their work device very often.

Warranty

The demanding business customer expects generous warranty conditions, which the manufacturer also delivers with a three-year on-site service in Germany and Austria. The laptop can be registered on Lenovo's website, and different warranty and service upgrades are offered for an extra charge. They are to keep downtime periods short.