Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 i5 1235U 4.4GHz 8GB 256GB 13.3" W11P | 1yr Wty

The Certified Refurbished Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 IAP is a 14-inch business laptop powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, a 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, and a Full HD 1920×1080 display—running Windows 11 Pro. The i5-1235U is a 12th Gen Alder Lake chip using Intel's hybrid core architecture: two high-performance cores for demanding tasks and eight efficiency cores for background work, which means the processor manages multitasking and sustained workloads more intelligently than the single-architecture 10th and 11th-gen equivalents. The PCIe Gen4 SSD is the fastest storage in this product range—sequential reads around 4,000–5,000 MB/s, roughly double the Gen3 speeds found in the ThinkBook 13s G2—therefore large file operations and application launches are noticeably quicker. The 1080p FHD webcam is a step above the 720p cameras on most refurbished business laptops at this price point, producing sharper video in Teams and Zoom calls without any additional hardware. Tested by our technicians in early 2026, this 2022-era ThinkBook is one of the most current-generation configurations available in the refurbished market.

Ideal For

The ThinkBook 14 G4 suits professionals who want a larger working display and near-current hardware without paying new prices—think project managers juggling spreadsheets and dashboards across a full 14-inch screen, remote workers who present frequently via video call and benefit from the 1080p webcam, and students in postgraduate or research roles running data tools, reference materials, and writing applications side by side. The built-in RJ45 Ethernet port is a practical addition for users in offices or homes where wired connections are more reliable than Wi-Fi, and where most 13-inch ultrabooks require a dongle.

The 14-inch form factor is larger and marginally heavier than the 13-inch ThinkBook 13s G2 and ThinkPad L13—worth considering for users who prioritise portability above screen size. The soldered 8GB RAM cannot be upgraded, which is the primary constraint to plan around if your workload is memory-intensive.

Key Features & Benefits

• Intel Core i5-1235U (12th Gen Alder Lake, up to 4.4GHz Turbo): Hybrid architecture with 2 P-cores and 8 E-cores means the CPU allocates resources between demanding foreground tasks and background processes more efficiently than previous single-architecture designs—translating to better sustained performance during multitasking without the fan noise associated with older chips under load.
• 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD: Sequential read speeds around 4,000–5,000 MB/s—approximately double PCIe Gen3 speeds and ten times faster than a SATA SSD. In practice, application launches, Windows updates, and large file transfers complete faster than on any other model in this range.
• 1080p FHD Webcam with Dual-Array Microphones and Privacy Shutter: The FHD webcam produces a meaningfully cleaner video image than the 720p cameras standard on most refurbished business laptops—colleagues and clients see a sharper picture without any additional hardware. The dual-array microphones improve voice capture in open-plan or noisy environments, and the physical privacy shutter provides hardware-level lens coverage.
• 14" Full HD Display (1920×1080, anti-glare): The additional screen real estate over 13-inch alternatives means side-by-side application windows are more usable and spreadsheets display more columns without horizontal scrolling.
• Thunderbolt 4 + USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C: Thunderbolt 4 delivers 40Gb/s data transfer, dual 4K external display support, and up to 100W power delivery for single-cable docking. The additional USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port provides a second high-speed connection point independent of the Thunderbolt 4.
• Built-in RJ45 Ethernet: Wired network connectivity without a dongle—increasingly rare on slim 14-inch laptops, and practically useful for office environments, server rooms, or home setups where wired is more reliable than Wi-Fi.
• Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2×2) + Bluetooth 5.1: Wi-Fi 6E adds support for the 6GHz band—less congested than 2.4GHz and 5GHz in dense office environments—therefore lower latency and more consistent speeds during video calls in shared workspaces.
• 4-in-1 Card Reader: Supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, and MMC formats—useful for photographers, researchers, or anyone transferring files from cameras or field recording devices without adapters.
• 8GB DDR4-3200 (soldered onboard, non-upgradeable): Cannot be expanded after purchase. Sufficient for standard business multitasking; plan around this ceiling if your workflow regularly involves memory-intensive applications running simultaneously.

Common Questions

How does 12th Gen compare to the 11th Gen ThinkBook 13s G2?

The i5-1235U (12th Gen) outperforms the i5-1135G7 (11th Gen) in multi-core tasks by around 30–40% in benchmarks, largely due to the hybrid P+E core architecture distributing workloads more efficiently. The practical difference shows up in tasks that use multiple cores simultaneously—large Excel calculations, video compression, or running several applications at once. The Gen4 SSD is also roughly twice the sequential speed of the Gen3 in the ThinkBook 13s G2. The trade-off is the 14-inch form factor adds size and weight over the 13s G2, and the 13s G2 has a WUXGA 16:10 display versus the standard 16:9 FHD on this model.

Does the 1080p webcam make a noticeable difference in video calls?

Yes, particularly in well-lit conditions. In our testing, the FHD webcam produces a sharper, more detailed image than the 720p cameras on the ThinkPad L13 and ThinkBook 13s G2—most visibly in facial detail and text legibility when sharing documents on screen. In low-light or backlit environments the improvement is less dramatic, but for daytime office use and standard remote work the difference is consistent. The dual-array microphones also capture voice more cleanly than single-mic configurations on older ThinkBooks.

Is the RJ45 Ethernet port worth having when Wi-Fi 6E is available?

For most users, Wi-Fi 6E is more than adequate. The Ethernet port earns its place in specific situations: corporate networks that require wired connections for security policy compliance, locations with poor Wi-Fi infrastructure, or when uploading and downloading large files where a stable gigabit connection eliminates variables. Having it built in rather than needing a USB dongle is the practical advantage—one less adapter to carry and one less thing to leave behind.

Technical Specifications

At a Glance

• Type: 14-inch business laptop (ThinkBook series)
• Performance: Intel Core i5-1235U (10-core hybrid, up to 4.4GHz Turbo) + 8GB DDR4-3200
• Storage: 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD — ~4,000–5,000 MB/s sequential read
• Display: 14" Full HD 1920×1080 anti-glare, non-touch
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (integrated) — 1080p video and dual external display output capable
• Connectivity: Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps, PD, DP), USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, USB-A 3.2 Gen1 (with always-on), RJ45 Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2×2) + Bluetooth 5.1
• Camera: 1080p FHD webcam with dual-array microphones and physical privacy shutter
• OS: Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
• RAM: Soldered onboard — non-upgradeable
• Colour: Black
• Best for: Business productivity, video conferencing, single-cable docking, large-format document work, wired network environments
• Not recommended for: Memory-intensive multitasking beyond 8GB (RAM non-upgradeable), gaming, 3D rendering, users prioritising portability over screen size

Performance & Real-World Use

In our testing, the i5-1235U handles a demanding business workload—Teams video call, multiple Office files open, Chrome with 15 tabs, and background OneDrive sync—at around 45–60% CPU utilisation, with the hybrid core architecture keeping the efficiency cores busy on background tasks while leaving P-core headroom for foreground work. The Gen4 SSD is the most immediately perceptible hardware advantage of this model: compared to the Gen3 NVMe in the ThinkBook 13s G2, large file transfers and application installs complete measurably faster.

The 1080p webcam is consistently commented on by users who upgrade from 720p-equipped refurbished laptops—the improvement in video call image quality is visible without any configuration changes. At 14 inches, the display provides comfortable working space for split-screen document review and spreadsheet work, though it makes the machine noticeably larger than the 13-inch models in this range.

Operating System

This unit ships with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit pre-installed and activated. The i5-1235U is fully native to Windows 11, with TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and all hardware requirements satisfied out of the box. Windows 11 Pro receives ongoing security updates through 2031. The 12th Gen architecture means this machine will remain on a supported and current platform for several years without hardware changes.

Cosmetic Condition Guide

Reboot IT grades all laptops across three tiers. Excellent (Grade A) units show only very minor scuffing, zero dead pixels, and even backlight distribution—suited to client-facing professionals. Good (Grade B) units may show visible scratches, 1–3 dead pixels, and small paint chips, but are fully functional—a practical choice for home office and everyday use. Fair (Grade C) units carry heavier cosmetic wear, but pass all functional testing—appropriate where appearance is secondary to budget. All three grades carry a 12-month warranty. See our full grading guide for screen, body, keyboard, and battery standards by condition.

Verified Reboot Refurb Quality Assurance

Every Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 IAP sold by Reboot IT passes our full refurbishment process before dispatch. Our technicians perform a secure data wipe, replace any worn or faulty components with original parts, then run specialised diagnostic software across the processor, memory, Gen4 NVMe storage, display, Thunderbolt 4 and USB ports, webcam, wireless connectivity, and Ethernet. Units are stress-tested under sustained load to confirm thermal management and stability. Cosmetic grading is completed only after all functional checks are confirmed.

Warranty & Support

12-month warranty provided by Reboot IT for your complete peace of mind. Reboot IT has been Australia's trusted source for refurbished IT equipment since 2001.

This configuration suits professionals who want 12th-gen performance, Gen4 NVMe speed, and a 1080p webcam in a 14-inch business laptop, backed by Reboot IT's 1-year warranty and 20+ years of refurbishment expertise.