Dell Latitude 7480 upgrade guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Updated Oct. 18, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The Latitude 14 7480 is a decent used buy partly because you can upgrade the memory and the SSD yourself. Both are user-accessible under the bottom cover. The processor, however, is fixed for the life of the machine — so if you need more CPU muscle, this guide will tell you that up front. Here's what fits, the limits, and what to watch out for before you buy anything.

At a glance

  • Memory: 2 DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB total
  • Storage: 1 M.2 2280 slot (SATA or NVMe), up to 1 TB documented
  • Processor: soldered — not upgradeable
2× DDR4 SO-DIMM (32 GB max)2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 2133 MT/s
1× M.2 2280 slot (SATA + NVMe)SSD M.2 2280 (SATA / NVMe) · up to 1 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB total1× M.2 2280 slot (SATA + NVMe)SSD M.2 2280 (SATA / NVMe) · up to 1 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

20172018201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · January 2017
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 January 2017 Estimate US first availability January 2017 (Q1 2017). The same source gives the Japan on-sale date 2017-02-28; no source pins a precise US day.
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

Memory (RAM)

The 7480 has two user-accessible DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, and nothing is soldered to the board. The official maximum is 32 GB total, using two 16 GB modules. Dell documents the platform as DDR4-2133; one teardown describes the slots as DDR4-2400, so sources disagree on the headline speed. In practice it makes little difference: faster modules simply clock down to whatever the platform supports. Memory must be non-ECC and unbuffered — registered or ECC modules aren't supported.

Some configurations shipped with a single module. If yours is one of those, adding a matching second stick is worthwhile because it enables dual-channel memory. Mixed sizes will work, but a matched pair performs best and avoids compatibility surprises.

Buying tips: buy whatever DDR4 SO-DIMM is cheapest at the capacity you want — don't pay extra for high-speed ratings this laptop can't use. If you want 32 GB, two 16 GB modules is the only route.

Buying tips

  • Matched pairs for dual channel
  • Non-ECC, unbuffered SO-DIMM only
  • Don't overpay for DDR4-2400 or faster modules — they will clock down

Storage (SSD)

There is a single M.2 2280 slot, and it accepts either an M.2 SATA SSD or an M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. There is no 2.5-inch drive bay in this chassis, so budget for an M.2 drive if you're buying a bare or low-spec unit. The documented factory maximum is 1 TB; larger NVMe drives usually work, but Dell hasn't validated them, so treat anything bigger as a gamble.

Two things to watch out for. First, confirm your unit actually supports NVMe before buying an NVMe drive — check the BIOS or Device Manager, since some configurations shipped with SATA drives and the difference in speed is large (SATA drives top out well below NVMe class drives). Second, the laptop has other M.2 slots (for the optional WWAN modem and the WLAN/WiGig card), but those are not storage slots — don't buy a drive expecting to use them.

Buying tips: a 2280-length M.2 drive is what you need, in either SATA or NVMe flavour — but only buy NVMe once you've confirmed it's supported. If your machine currently has a SATA drive, swapping to NVMe is where the real speed gain is.

Buying tips

  • M.2 2280 form factor only
  • Confirm NVMe support in the BIOS before buying an NVMe drive
  • 1 TB is the documented maximum — larger drives are unvalidated

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your data before opening the case.
  • Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the power adapter.
  • Ground yourself to avoid static damage to the components.
  • Open the case. On the 7480 the bottom cover is held by 8 captive screws, which means they stay attached to the cover once loosened. Your owner's manual has the exact screw chart and disassembly procedure — follow it rather than prying at random.
  • Install the new module or drive, making sure it is seated correctly in its slot.
  • Close the case and secure the screws.
  • Power on and check that the BIOS and your operating system recognise the new part. For an SSD, confirm the interface (SATA or NVMe) is detected correctly.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Clone or back up the drive before you touch anything, especially if you're replacing the SSD.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Shut down fully — not sleep or hibernate — and disconnect the power adapter.
  3. Ground yourself
    Discharge static before handling memory or an SSD.
  4. Open the case
    Remove the 8 captive screws on the bottom cover and lift it away. See your owner's manual for the exact procedure and screw chart.
  5. Install the part
    Fit the SO-DIMM at an angle and press it flat until the clips engage, or slide the M.2 2280 drive into its slot and secure it as shown in the manual.
  6. Close up and verify
    Replace the cover, power on, and check the BIOS/firmware and your operating system see the new hardware at the expected capacity.

Good to know

  • Sources disagree on the memory speed (DDR4-2133 vs. 2400) — faster modules clock down either way.
  • Some documents list 6th-Gen CPUs for the 7480; 7th-Gen is the definitive specification.
  • NVMe drives larger than 1 TB are not officially validated.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Latitude 7480 take?

Up to 32 GB total, using two 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM modules — one in each of the two slots.

Does the Latitude 7480 support NVMe SSDs?

The single M.2 2280 slot supports both SATA and PCIe NVMe drives, but some configurations shipped with SATA and your unit's support should be confirmed in the BIOS before buying an NVMe drive. Larger than 1 TB is unvalidated.

Can you upgrade the CPU in a Latitude 7480?

No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard. It shipped with 7th-Gen U-series chips (i3-7100U to i7-7600U), and there is no socket or upgrade path.

What RAM speed does the Latitude 7480 use?

Dell documents DDR4-2133, although one source describes the slots as DDR4-2400. Faster modules will simply run at the slower supported speed, so don't pay a premium for them.

Does the Latitude 7480 have a 2.5-inch drive bay?

No. Storage is M.2 only — one M.2 2280 slot. The other M.2 slots in the machine are for the optional WWAN modem and the WLAN card, not for drives.

Is the Latitude 7480 the same as the 7280?

No. The 7280 is the 12-inch model with one memory slot and a lower memory limit. They share a spec sheet, which is where some confusion comes from.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.