Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Upgrade Guide: RAM and SSD Options

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers what you can upgrade in the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (types 20L5 and 20L6): memory and storage. The short answer is that you can fit up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and add a 2.5-inch SATA drive or an M.2 NVMe SSD, with a few limits worth knowing before you buy.

At a glance

  • RAM: 2 DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets, up to 32 GB total, up to 2400 MT/s, nothing soldered.
  • Use standard non-ECC, unbuffered SO-DIMMs.
  • Storage: one 2.5-inch SATA bay (7 mm drives only) and one M.2 2280 NVMe slot.
  • A second M.2 slot shares space with the 4G LTE modem and runs slower.
  • Lenovo's documents don't describe a user-upgradable CPU, so plan on RAM and storage.
Memory2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 2400 MT/s
2.5" bayHDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA) · max 7 mm thick · up to 2 TB
M.2 slot (main)SSD M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 1 TB
M.2 slot (WWAN slot)SSD M.2 2242 (NVMe)
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB total2.5" bayHDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA) · max 7 mm thick · up to 2 TBM.2 slot (main)SSD M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 1 TBM.2 slot (WWAN slot)SSD M.2 2242 (NVMe)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

Standard support ended on March 6, 2025 (estimate).

2018201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · January 201822 · EOSL · March 6, 2025
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 January 2018 Estimate Third-party press coverage (VentureBeat, 3 Jan 2018) announced the T480 and said it would ship later that month; exact on-sale day not confirmed
Source ↗
End of standard support (EOSL)
Standard warranty and support contracts can no longer be renewed.		 March 6, 2025 Estimate Third-party figure from the InvGate lifecycle database, attributed to Lenovo; not seen on a Lenovo page
Source ↗

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

RAM: two DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets, up to 32 GB

The T480 has two DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets, and both are user-accessible. No memory is soldered to the board. Lenovo lists a maximum of 32 GB in total at up to 2400 MT/s. Lenovo doesn't state a per-module limit, but with two sockets and a 32 GB total, two 16 GB modules is the logical maximum.

Speed depends on the processor. The 7th-gen Core i5-7200U and i5-7300U models run memory at DDR4-2133, so a faster DDR4-2400 module will be clocked down. 8th-gen models get the full 2400. One Lenovo EMEA datasheet adds a footnote to the 32 GB / 2400 figure that reads 'with Intel 8th Gen GPU'. It looks like a typo for CPU, but it hints that the 32 GB / 2400 figure may not apply to every configuration. Other Lenovo documents give 32 GB / 2400 without that qualifier.

Some models ship with a single module (8 GB x 1 on one listed configuration). Adding a matching second module enables dual-channel mode. Lenovo's documents don't mention ECC or registered memory. Use standard non-ECC unbuffered laptop modules.

Buying tips

  • Buy DDR4 SO-DIMM, non-ECC and unbuffered. Skip ECC and registered modules.
  • Buy a matched pair if you want dual-channel.
  • On a 7th-gen CPU, DDR4-2400 modules will simply run at 2133.
  • Lenovo has a memory reference guide for the T480; check it before you order.

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Storage: 2.5-inch bay and two M.2 slots

The 2.5-inch bay is SATA (6 Gb/s) and takes 7 mm drives only. Taller 9.5 mm drives are not supported. Lenovo's datasheet lists up to 2 TB for this bay. There is no 3.5-inch bay.

The main M.2 slot takes a 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD running at PCIe 3.0 x4. Lenovo's datasheet lists up to 1 TB, but that is a factory option rather than a stated hard limit. Whether SATA M.2 drives work isn't documented, so stick to PCIe NVMe.

A second M.2 slot is shared with the WWAN (4G LTE) modem, so using it for storage means giving up 4G LTE. An NVMe SSD there runs at PCIe 3.0 x2 because of an adapter limitation. Lenovo lists a 128 GB NVMe SSD or a 16 GB Intel Optane module for this slot, and the EMEA datasheet says it is intended for HDD configurations. The slot is probably a short 2242 size, but Lenovo's documents don't confirm the length. A thermal pad for an SSD in this slot is sold as a service part.

Lenovo's documents disagree on whether you can use the 2.5-inch bay and the main M.2 slot together. The spec sheet says the system has one HDD slot or one M.2 2280 slot exclusively for storage, while the datasheet lists a 2.5-inch drive plus an M.2 SSD together. Many units appear to have both, but it varies by model. Check the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your exact SKU before buying two drives.

Buying tips

  • For the fastest drive, choose an M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD for the main slot.
  • For a 2.5-inch drive, check it is 7 mm thick or less.
  • Don't count on the WWAN-slot M.2 for speed. It runs at x2 and costs you 4G LTE.
  • Confirm your exact model supports both a 2.5-inch drive and an M.2 SSD before buying both.
  • Larger capacities than the factory options may work, but the listed 1 TB (M.2) and 2 TB (2.5-inch) are the figures Lenovo documents.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your files. If you are replacing a drive, Lenovo's maintenance manual also recommends a low-level format of the old drive.
  • Check your exact model (20L5 or 20L6) and whether it has a 4G LTE modem, a 2.5-inch drive or an M.2 SSD fitted.
  • Have the Lenovo user guide and Hardware Maintenance Manual open for the exact disassembly steps.
  • Disable the internal battery in the BIOS before opening the base.
  • Have a small screwdriver and an anti-static strap or a grounded metal surface ready.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy your files to an external drive or cloud storage. If you are swapping a drive, keep the old one until the new one is working.
  2. Disable the internal battery and power off
    In the BIOS, disable the internal battery, then shut the laptop down completely and unplug the charger and any accessories.
  3. Ground yourself
    Touch a bare metal surface or wear an anti-static strap before handling any internal parts. Hold modules and drives by their edges.
  4. Open the base
    Follow the disassembly procedure in Lenovo's Hardware Maintenance Manual to remove the base cover. Lenovo's guide says to follow the customer-replaceable part instructions closely.
  5. Install the new part
    For RAM, seat the SO-DIMM in its socket as described in the manual. For storage, fit the 2.5-inch drive in its bay or the M.2 SSD in its slot as the manual shows. If you use the WWAN-slot M.2, remember it replaces the 4G LTE modem.
  6. Close the case and reconnect
    Refit the base cover and its screws, then reconnect power.
  7. Check that the BIOS sees the part
    Power on and open the BIOS setup. Confirm the new memory size or drive appears. A new drive may need an operating system installed, and the manual warns that the drive startup order may have changed, so check the boot order. If you see POST error 0282 (Memory module error), reinstall or replace the memory module.

Good to know

  • The 16 GB per-module limit is worked out from the 32 GB total across two sockets; Lenovo doesn't state it.
  • Lenovo's documents disagree on whether the 2.5-inch bay and main M.2 slot can be used together. Check your SKU.
  • The length of the WWAN-slot M.2 (likely 2242) isn't confirmed, and that slot is described as intended for HDD configurations.
  • The 1 TB (M.2) and 2 TB (2.5-inch) capacities are Lenovo's listed options, not confirmed hard limits.
  • One listed 20L5 configuration shows end of support as 6 March 2024, so check current support status for your model.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the ThinkPad T480 take?

Lenovo lists a maximum of 32 GB across its two DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets. That works out to 16 GB per module, though Lenovo doesn't state a per-module figure.

What type and speed of RAM does the T480 use?

Standard DDR4 SO-DIMM, up to 2400 MT/s. Models with a 7th-gen Core i5-7200U or i5-7300U run memory at 2133 MT/s. Use non-ECC unbuffered modules.

Does the T480 support NVMe SSDs?

Yes. The main M.2 slot takes a 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD. SATA M.2 compatibility isn't documented, so stick to NVMe.

Can I use a 2.5-inch drive and an M.2 SSD at the same time?

It depends on your model. Lenovo's spec sheet says one HDD slot or one M.2 2280 slot is exclusive for storage, while its datasheet lists both together. Check the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your SKU before buying two drives.

What thickness of 2.5-inch drive fits the T480?

7 mm or thinner. 9.5 mm drives are not supported.

Can I upgrade the T480's CPU?

Lenovo's documents describe RAM and storage as the upgradeable parts and don't describe a user-replaceable processor, so this guide doesn't cover a CPU upgrade.

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.