Is the ThinkPad T480 still good in 2026?

Yes, for office work at the right price. The T480 runs Windows 11, takes 32 GB of RAM in two slots, and has a swappable second battery. A refurbished T480 with 16 GB costs from €215 (16 GB), seen 12 September 2026. Compare it with the newer T490 and T14 before you buy.

What the T480 still does well

Lenovo sold the T480 from 2018 with 7th or 8th generation Intel processors. In 2026 it is a common refurbished machine, because companies bought it in large numbers and have now replaced it.

Three things keep it useful.

• Two RAM slots. Lenovo's specification sheet states "32GB max / 2400MHz DDR4, dual-channel capable, two DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets". No RAM is soldered to the board. You can buy a T480 with 8 GB and add a module later, which the later models do not let you do as freely.
• Two batteries. Notebookcheck's review explains it: "The T480 preserves the dual-battery approach of its predecessors, which in this case constitutes a 24 Wh internal battery paired up with an external (hot-swappable) battery of the user’s choice." On a used laptop the battery is the part that wears first. On a T480 you can replace the external battery in seconds, without tools.
• Windows 11. See the next section.

Does it run Windows 11?

Yes, with an 8th generation processor. Microsoft's list of supported Intel processors names "8th Generation Core i5 Processors", and the i3 and i7 of the same generation are on the list too. Windows 11 also needs "Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0." The T480 has it: Lenovo lists "Discrete TPM 2.0, TCG Certified".

A T480 with a 7th generation processor is not on Microsoft's list. Read the processor name before you buy. An i5-8250U or i5-8350U is 8th generation. An i5-7200U or i5-7300U is 7th generation.

What it does not do well

The T480 is eight years old, and it shows in three places.

• The screen. The common 1080p panel is dim in colour. Notebookcheck wrote that "the color coverage is woefully inadequate, which leads to drearily washed-out colors and lackadaisical picture quality." For office work this does not matter. For photo work it does.
• The processor. An 8th generation Intel chip handles a browser, office work and video calls. It is slow for large builds, video editing or games.
• The age of the parts. Every refurbished T480 has years of use behind it. Check the battery health figure and the shop's Grade. Our guide to refurbished laptop grades explains what each shop's Grade means.

T480 against the T490 and the T14 Gen 1

A buyer who looks at a T480 also sees the two models that replaced it. Here are today's prices for each, with 16 GB of RAM or more, in your Market:

The T14 price covers every T14 generation this site tracks, so the cheapest offer can be a Gen 1 or a later one. Open the model page to see each offer.

The T490

The T490 came one year later with a thinner case. Lenovo sold it with 8th or 10th generation Intel processors. Its specification sheet notes that the 10th generation was not sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It gave up two things. Its RAM is part soldered: Lenovo states "One memory soldered to systemboard, one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot, dual-channel capable". And it has one battery. Windows Central's review names the loss of the swappable battery: "This has now been removed in lieu of a single 50Wh battery that gets between six and seven hours of life from a charge when going about regular work."

Buy the T490 over the T480 when it costs the same or less and you do not need to swap batteries.

The T14 Gen 1

The T14 Gen 1 is a real step up. The Intel version has a "10th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 / i7 Processor", and the AMD version has a Ryzen 4000 chip with up to eight cores. Notebookcheck's verdict on the AMD model: "The ThinkPad T14 with the AMD processor leaves a good impression in our review and offers much more CPU and GPU performance for a lower price." Its RAM is part soldered, like the T490.

Buy the T14 Gen 1 when the gap to the T480 is small. It is two processor generations newer, and it will stay useful longer.

The verdict

The T480 is still a good laptop in 2026 for office work, study and writing. It is the best of the three if you want to upgrade the RAM yourself or carry a spare battery. It is the wrong choice if you need a bright colour screen or a fast processor.

Price decides the rest. Compare the three rows above, and see every T480 offer on its model page. For other ThinkPad pairs, browse the comparison pages.

Questions people ask

Is the ThinkPad T480 still good in 2026?

Yes, for office work, study and writing. It runs Windows 11 with an 8th generation processor, takes 32 GB of RAM, and has a swappable battery. It is too slow for games or video editing, and its common screen has weak colour.

Does the ThinkPad T480 run Windows 11?

Yes, when it has an 8th generation Intel processor, such as the i5-8250U or i5-8350U. Microsoft supports that generation, and the T480 has the TPM 2.0 chip that Windows 11 needs. A T480 with a 7th generation processor is not on Microsoft's list.

How much RAM can a ThinkPad T480 take?

Lenovo states 32 GB, in two DDR4 slots. No RAM is soldered, so you can replace both modules.

Should I buy a T480, a T490 or a T14 Gen 1?

Buy the cheapest one that fits your need. The T480 is best for upgrades and a spare battery. The T490 is thinner, with one battery and part-soldered RAM. The T14 Gen 1 is the fastest, with a 10th generation Intel or a Ryzen 4000 processor.