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The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is a classic business laptop built for reliability, upgradeability, and productivity. Unlike many modern ultrabooks that prioritize ultra-thin designs, the T480 focuses on practical features that professionals and IT departments appreciate. While it has become slimmer and lighter than previous generations, it still retains many user-serviceable components that are becoming increasingly rare.

Durable Design with Practical Features

The ThinkPad T480 weighs approximately 3.6 pounds (1.63 kg) and is just under 20 mm thick. Although it isn’t the lightest laptop in its class, it strikes a balance between portability and expandability.

One of its standout features is Lenovo’s Bridge Battery system. This setup combines an internal battery with a removable external battery, allowing users to swap batteries without shutting down the laptop. This design provides excellent flexibility for travelers and professionals who need extended runtime away from power outlets.

Upgrade-Friendly Construction

Unlike many modern ultrabooks, the T480 offers impressive upgrade options. Removing the bottom panel provides access to:

• Two DDR4 RAM slots
• M.2 SSD storage
• Optional LTE modem slot
• Replaceable Wi-Fi card
• 2.5-inch drive bay
• Internal and removable batteries

This level of serviceability makes the T480 appealing to both IT departments and power users who want to upgrade components over time.

Hardware and Performance

The ThinkPad T480 starts at around $1,050 and comes equipped with Intel’s 8th Generation quad-core U-series processors.

Entry-level configurations typically include:

• Intel Core i5 processor
• 8GB DDR4-2400 RAM
• 500GB hard drive
• HD display

Higher-end models offer:

• PCIe NVMe SSDs up to 1TB
• Additional RAM configurations
• Faster storage performance
• Enhanced display options

Lenovo has also tuned the processor power limits to allow higher sustained performance than many competing ultrabooks. As a result, benchmark results are often better than average for this class of machine.

Display Options

Several display choices are available for the T480.

HD Display

The base model includes a 1366×768 display designed primarily for budget-conscious deployments.

Full HD IPS Panels

Most users will prefer the 1920×1080 IPS displays, available in both touch and non-touch versions. These screens feature a matte finish that helps reduce glare and reflections.

While color reproduction is adequate for office work, it falls short of premium creator-focused displays.

WQHD Display

For users seeking better image quality, Lenovo also offers a 2560×1440 WQHD panel. This display provides:

• Improved color accuracy
• Better saturation
• Higher resolution
• Matte finish

It’s the best option for professionals who value display quality.

Graphics Performance

The T480 includes Intel UHD 620 integrated graphics as standard.

An optional NVIDIA MX150 dedicated GPU is also available, providing:

• Improved graphics acceleration
• Better performance in creative applications
• Enhanced video editing capabilities
• Increased gaming performance for lighter titles

While it won’t replace a gaming laptop, the MX150 offers a useful boost for users with more demanding workloads.

Security and Business Features

As expected from a ThinkPad business laptop, the T480 offers extensive security options, including:

• Optional fingerprint reader
• TPM 2.0 security chip
• Optional Windows Hello IR camera
• ThinkShutter webcam privacy cover
• Optional Smart Card reader
• MIL-STD durability testing

These features make the T480 suitable for enterprise environments and security-conscious users.

Memory Capacity

One advantage of the T480 over many ultrabooks is its memory expandability.

With two RAM slots available, the system supports up to:

• 32GB DDR4-2400 memory

This makes it a strong choice for multitasking, virtual machines, software development, and other memory-intensive workloads.

Excellent Port Selection

The ThinkPad T480 offers an impressive range of connectivity options, including:

• Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
• Two USB 3.0 Type-A ports
• Full-size HDMI
• Ethernet port
• Full-size SD card reader
• Lenovo docking connector
• USB-C charging

Many modern ultrabooks have abandoned these legacy ports, making the T480 particularly attractive to professionals who rely on external devices.

Keyboard and Input Devices

As with most ThinkPads, the keyboard is one of the laptop’s strongest features.

Highlights include:

• Comfortable key travel
• Excellent tactile feedback
• Durable construction
• White backlighting

The Precision touchpad is spacious and responsive, while the iconic TrackPoint pointing stick remains available for longtime ThinkPad users.

Battery Life and Bridge Battery System

The removable battery is one of the T480’s biggest advantages.

The standard configuration includes:

• 24Wh internal battery
• 24Wh removable external battery

Lenovo also offers a larger 72Wh external battery that extends runtime significantly.

In real-world testing, the standard battery setup delivers approximately 8 to 9 hours of usage. With the larger battery installed, users can expect substantially longer runtimes.

The ability to carry spare batteries and swap them on the go remains a major benefit that few modern laptops offer.

Internal Layout and Serviceability

Removing the bottom cover reveals a well-organized interior.

Inside you’ll find:

• Internal Bridge Battery
• Dual RAM slots
• M.2 SSD mounting area
• Optional LTE modem slot
• Wi-Fi card
• Large cooling fan
• Stereo speaker system

The cooling solution performs well, keeping temperatures and fan noise under control during normal workloads.

Final Thoughts

The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 remains one of the most practical business laptops available. It combines strong performance, excellent upgradeability, a wide selection of ports, and Lenovo’s renowned keyboard in a durable package.

While it may not be the thinnest or most stylish laptop on the market, features like dual RAM slots, Thunderbolt 3, removable batteries, optional LTE connectivity, and extensive serviceability make it an outstanding choice for professionals, IT departments, and power users who value flexibility and long-term usability.