Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Updated Oct. 27, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The ThinkPad T490 is a nice machine to keep alive because its memory and storage can both be upgraded after the fact. The processor, however, is soldered down and is fixed for the life of the laptop. Here's what fits, what the limits are, and what to check before you buy anything.

At a glance

  • RAM: one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot (260-pin, non-ECC, unbuffered), plus soldered memory you can't change
  • Storage: one M.2 slot taking a 2242 or 2280 SSD over NVMe or SATA — no 2.5-inch drive bay
  • CPU: soldered (BGA), 8th Gen Whiskey Lake-U or 10th Gen Comet Lake-U 15 W chips — no upgrade path
1x DDR4 SO-DIMM (plus soldered RAM)DDR4 SO-DIMM · 8 GB soldered · up to 48 GB total · 2666 MT/s
1x M.2 slot (2242 or 2280) NVMe/SATASSD M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 (NVMe / SATA)
1 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 48 GB total1x M.2 slot (2242 or 2280) NVMe/SATASSD M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 (NVMe / SATA)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

Standard support ended on July 4, 2025.

201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · June 4, 201922 · End of sale · 202133 · EOSL · July 4, 2025
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 June 4, 2019 Official Lenovo PSREF Announce Date for US TopSeller 20N20046US (machine type 20N2). Third-party databases (ifixit.com, hmcwiki.net) give 'October 2019' as general retail availability, contradicting Lenovo's own date.
Source ↗
End of sale
No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 2021 Estimate PSREF marks the whole line 'Withdrawn' (Lenovo's term for end of sale) but publishes no dated withdrawal/EOL notice. Bracketed from Lenovo SKU announce dates (newest 2020-12-29), so only year precision is supportable.
Source ↗
End of standard support (EOSL)
Standard warranty and support contracts can no longer be renewed.		 July 4, 2025 Official Lenovo's 'End of Support'; it varies by SKU, so the overall window runs 2025-07-04 to 2026-05-29 (see by_sku). After this date BIOS/driver releases and warranty service stop.
Source ↗

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

Memory (RAM)

Your T490 has two memory channels, but only one of them is upgradeable. Part of the memory is soldered to the system board and can never be changed: either 8 GB or 16 GB depending on the exact machine. The one user-accessible slot is a 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM, and it takes non-ECC unbuffered modules only, up to 32 GB in the slot.

Total memory depends on what was soldered at the factory. With 8 GB soldered you can reach 40 GB (8 + 32); only machines with 16 GB soldered can reach 48 GB (16 + 32). Before buying, check your exact machine type — the T490 covers several (20N2, 20N3, 20RX, 20RY, 20Q9, 20QH) and the soldered capacity varies by SKU. Lenovo's per-model specification pages will tell you which you have.

Speed deserves a note, because the documentation is not fully consistent. PSREF lists DDR4-2400 as the platform memory type, while its CPU table shows 10th Gen chips supporting DDR4-2666. In practice: 10th Gen configurations can run DDR4-2666 at full speed, while 8th Gen configurations clock faster modules down to 2400 MT/s. 2666 MT/s is the ceiling for the platform either way, so don't pay extra for faster modules.

One more thing: you only get the interleaved/dual-channel benefit when the soldered memory and your module are matched in size. If you want the best performance rather than the most capacity, a module that matches the soldered amount is the smarter buy.

Buying tips: DDR4 SO-DIMM, 260-pin, non-ECC unbuffered, 2666 MT/s or slower. Confirm your soldered capacity first — that's the one part of the memory you can never fix later.

Buying tips

  • DDR4 260-pin SO-DIMM, non-ECC unbuffered — max 32 GB in the slot
  • Match the module size to the soldered memory if you want the dual-channel benefit
  • Faster-than-2400 modules only pay off on 10th Gen configs; on 8th Gen they run at 2400 MT/s

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Storage (SSD)

There is one storage drive in this laptop — no 2.5-inch bay, no optical drive, no second SSD slot. Your single M.2 slot accepts either a 2242 or a 2280 drive.

The format you choose changes the speed you get. An M.2 2280 drive runs at PCIe 3.0 x4 over NVMe, or as a SATA 6 Gb/s drive. The shorter M.2 2242 drives run at only PCIe 3.0 x2, so they're noticeably slower. For most upgrades, an M.2 2280 NVMe drive is the best choice.

There are two caveats. First, the SATA option for the 2280 slot isn't available in EMEA — machines there are NVMe only. Second, Lenovo's tested maximums (1 TB for 2280, 256 GB for 2242) are exactly that: tested figures, based on the drives Lenovo offered at the time. Larger drives generally work but are unverified, so weigh that risk yourself.

Self-encrypting Opal2 drives are supported if you use hardware-based encryption. Note that swapping the drive may mean reinstalling your operating system, so clone or back up first.

Watch out for one nearby slot that is not for storage: the T490 also has an optional M.2 2242 WWAN slot, but that one is for a cellular modem only. If you need more space than the single internal drive provides, external storage or a NAS is the way to go — there's no room inside for a second drive.

Buying tips: an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (PCIe 3.0 x4) is the fast path. If you go 2242, expect PCIe 3.0 x2 speeds. Choose Opal2 support if you rely on hardware encryption.

Buying tips

  • M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4) is the fastest option; M.2 2242 is limited to PCIe 3.0 x2
  • Only one internal drive — buy the capacity you'll need, since there's no second slot
  • Lenovo tested up to 1 TB (2280) and 256 GB (2242); bigger drives should work but aren't verified

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FAQ

How much RAM can the ThinkPad T490 take?
Up to 32 GB in the single SO-DIMM slot. Combined with the soldered memory, that's a 40 GB maximum on machines with 8 GB soldered, or 48 GB on machines with 16 GB soldered.

Does the ThinkPad T490 have two RAM slots?
No. It has one upgradeable DDR4 SO-DIMM slot plus memory soldered to the board that can't be changed.

Can you upgrade the CPU in a ThinkPad T490?
No. The processor is soldered (BGA) — there's no socket and no replacement path.

Does the T490 support NVMe SSDs?
Yes. The M.2 slot supports NVMe, and an M.2 2280 drive runs at PCIe 3.0 x4. The shorter 2242 format runs at PCIe 3.0 x2 only. SATA 6 Gb/s 2280 drives are supported too, but not in EMEA.

Can I add a second drive or a 2.5-inch HDD?
No. There's a single M.2 drive slot and no 2.5-inch bay. The extra M.2 2242 slot is for a WWAN cellular modem, not storage.

What RAM speed does the T490 use?
The platform tops out at DDR4-2666. 10th Gen configurations run 2666 MT/s, while 8th Gen configurations clock faster modules down to 2400 MT/s — PSREF lists DDR4-2400 as the platform type, so the two don't fully agree.

Cheapest compatible right now

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Note your exact machine type and whether the memory is 8 GB or 16 GB soldered — it can never be changed
  • Prefer an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD; the 2242 format is slower
  • Back up before any drive swap; a new SSD may mean reinstalling the OS

Steps

  1. Step 1 — Back up
    Save your data first. If you're replacing the SSD, clone the old drive or prepare your operating system installer before you open the laptop.
  2. Step 2 — Power off and unplug
    Shut down completely and disconnect the charger.
  3. Step 3 — Ground yourself
    Discharge static by touching something metal or wearing an anti-static strap.
  4. Step 4 — Open the case
    Follow the disassembly instructions in the Lenovo owner's manual for the T490, then locate the SO-DIMM slot or the M.2 drive slot.
  5. Step 5 — Install
    Seat the module or drive firmly and evenly in its slot.
  6. Step 6 — Close up
    Replace the cover and screws as described in the manual.
  7. Step 7 — Verify
    Power on and check the BIOS/firmware and your operating system see the new part at the expected size.

Good to know

  • Soldered RAM (8 GB or 16 GB) and the Wi-Fi card cannot be changed — buy the right configuration up front
  • RAM speed guidance differs between sources: PSREF lists DDR4-2400 while 10th Gen CPUs support 2666 MT/s
  • Lenovo's SSD size limits are tested figures, not absolute maximums; larger drives are unverified
  • 10th Gen CPUs and SATA M.2 2280 SSDs were not offered in EMEA

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 take?

32 GB in the single SO-DIMM slot, for 40 GB or 48 GB total depending on whether 8 GB or 16 GB is soldered to your machine.

How many RAM slots does the ThinkPad T490 have?

One upgradeable DDR4 SO-DIMM slot. The rest of the memory is soldered and can't be replaced or removed.

Can you upgrade the CPU in a ThinkPad T490?

No. The CPU is soldered to the board (BGA), so there's no upgrade path — the chip you bought is the chip you keep.

Does the ThinkPad T490 support NVMe SSDs?

Yes. The M.2 slot takes NVMe drives; 2280 drives run at PCIe 3.0 x4, while 2242 drives run at PCIe 3.0 x2. SATA 6 Gb/s 2280 drives are supported outside EMEA.

Can I install a second SSD or a 2.5-inch hard drive?

No. There is only one storage drive slot and no 2.5-inch bay. The optional M.2 2242 WWAN slot is for a cellular modem only.

What RAM speed does the ThinkPad T490 use?

DDR4, up to 2666 MT/s. 10th Gen models run 2666 MT/s; 8th Gen models clock faster modules down to 2400 MT/s. The documentation isn't fully consistent here, but 2666 MT/s is the practical ceiling.

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.