Skip to content
LenovoCompareCH
Back to models
T SeriesLinux Certified

ThinkPad T480

2018 · Windows 10 Pro

PSREF Search PSREF
CPU32
GPU8
Display30
Memory54
Connect43
Portable59

Configuration

Scores

80+ Excellent60+ Good40+ Fair
Perf
32
Top 99% of ThinkPad
Single
40
Multi
26
GPU
8
Top 100% of ThinkPad
Display
30
Top 100% of ThinkPad
Memory
54
Top 45% of ThinkPad
Connect
43
Top 72% of ThinkPad
Port
59
Top 97% of ThinkPad
Value
100

Swiss Prices

Ricardoused
15.09.2024
CHF 299
Digitecused
15.11.2024· Refurbished
CHF 399
Near historical low
Add Price

Value Calculator

CHF

Specifications

CPUIntel Core i7-8550U (4C/8T, 4 GHz, 15W)
Display14" FHD IPS · 60Hz · 250 nits
RAM16GB DDR4-2400 (2 slots) · max 32GB
Storage256 GB NVMe (1 slot)
GPUIntel UHD 620 · integrated
Battery48 Wh · Removable
Weight1.63 kg
PortsThunderbolt 3, USB-C 3.1, 2x USB-A 3.1, HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm, RJ45, SD card
WirelessWi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.1
Input6-row · Backlit · TrackPoint

Form Factor

14.0"315 mm221 mmSide Profile18 mm
1.63 kg|315 × 221 × 18 mm|1.3 L
1.63 kgWeight
48WhBattery
14"Screen
8portsTotal I/O
I/O Breakdown
Thunderbolt 3USB-C 3.12x USB-A 3.1HDMI 1.43.5mmRJ45SD card
Wi-Fi 5Bluetooth 4.16-row · Backlit · TrackPoint

Upgrade Simulator

RAM

2 slots · DDR4-2400 · Max 32GB

Storage
Memory Score
Current
54

Performance Overview

Hardware Guide

Use Case Fit

ExcellentOffice / Productivity
MarginalSoftware Development
InsufficientGaming
MarginalVideo Editing
MarginalData Science / ML
MarginalVirtualization

Linux Compatibility

Kernel 4.18++
Ubuntu 18.04 LTSUbuntu 20.04 LTS
Wi-FiIntel 8265 — iwlwifi
GPUIntel UHD 620 — i915
Fingerprintlibfprint supported
AudioIntel HDA
Fedora: Any recent Fedora works. Legendary Linux laptop.

Certified. The classic Linux ThinkPad — removable battery, upgradeable everything.

Analysis

IT Fleet

The ThinkPad T480 is a 2018 mainstream business workhorse balancing performance and portability. It pairs a Intel Core i7-8550U with 16 GB upgradeable DDR4 and a FHD IPS panel at 14". At 1.63 kg with a 48 Wh battery, it is desk-friendly.

Strengths

  • User-upgradeable RAM (2 SODIMM slots)
  • Hot-swappable removable battery
  • Built-in Ethernet (RJ45)
  • SD card reader
  • Lenovo Linux-certified
  • TrackPoint pointing stick

Limitations

  • Small 256 GB single storage slot
  • Dim 250-nit display
  • Aging 2018 platform — limited vendor support horizon
  • Older Wi-Fi 5 wireless standard
  • Low CPU performance by current standards
  • Very weak integrated GPU — no gaming capability

Analysis derived from public PSREF specifications

Editorial Notes

The legendary T480 — arguably the most beloved ThinkPad ever made. Dual-battery system (internal 24 Wh + hot-swappable external up to 72 Wh) gives unmatched real-world endurance. Two SODIMM slots support up to 64 GB RAM (officially 32 GB). The last T-series with a removable battery, bridge battery hot-swap, and full user upgradeability. A benchmark for what business laptops should be.

Known Issues

8th Gen Intel is showing its age for modern workloads. The 250-nit FHD display is dim by 2025 standards. Thunderbolt 3 limited to 2 lanes. BIOS battery whitelist removed via community effort but stock batteries are increasingly hard to find. USB-C charging limited to 45 W.

Swiss Market

The Swiss used market favourite. Excellent availability on Ricardo and Tutti at CHF 150–300 depending on condition and specs. Still widely deployed in Swiss corporate fleets being decommissioned. The WQHD panel variant commands a premium.

Linux

Lenovo-certified for Linux. 8th Gen Intel is the most mature and stable Linux platform — everything works perfectly out of the box on any modern distribution. The dual-battery system is fully supported by TLP and auto-cpufreq.