Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Review: Business-Class Performance and Reliability
Lenovo T480 with i5 8th Gen, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD. Durable and perfect for productivity.
Introduction
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is a business-class laptop that continues the legacy of the T-series with a focus on durability, performance, and mobility. Designed for professionals, students, and enterprise users, the T480 balances portability with a full suite of productivity features. Its Intel Core i5 8th Gen processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 256GB SSD make it a versatile machine capable of handling multitasking, office work, and moderate workloads with ease.
In this review, we will examine the T480’s design, performance, display, battery life, keyboard and trackpad, connectivity, security, and how it compares with similar laptops in the ThinkPad lineup. We will also explore why purchasing a refurbished unit can be an excellent value proposition for cost-conscious buyers.
Specifications Overview
| Feature | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 8th Gen |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Display | 14" FHD (1920×1080) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 620 |
| Ports | USB-C, USB 3.1, HDMI, RJ-45, microSD |
| Weight | ~1.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 33.66 × 23.25 × 1.99 cm |
Design and Build Quality
The ThinkPad T480 maintains the classic ThinkPad aesthetic with a matte black finish and understated design. Its magnesium alloy and reinforced plastic chassis provide robustness while keeping the weight manageable at approximately 1.58 kg. While slightly heavier than ultra-thin laptops, it offers superior durability, making it ideal for professionals who travel frequently or work in varied environments.
The laptop’s hinge is smooth and firm, allowing the display to stay stable at any angle. Lenovo has carefully designed the keyboard deck to minimize flex, providing a premium feel despite the laptop’s lightweight design. The compact form factor ensures that the T480 fits easily in a backpack or briefcase without adding unnecessary bulk.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 features a 14-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1920×1080, delivering clear visuals and sharp text, perfect for productivity tasks. Although there is no touch functionality, the display is anti-glare and offers good color accuracy and viewing angles, ensuring usability in brightly lit environments such as offices or coffee shops.
Compared with laptops offering higher resolutions or 4K panels, the T480 prioritizes battery efficiency while maintaining excellent clarity for work-related applications. The display is particularly suited for users who spend hours reading documents, creating spreadsheets, or conducting video conferencing.
Performance
At the heart of the ThinkPad T480 is the Intel Core i5 8th Gen processor paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. This combination delivers smooth performance across a wide range of business and productivity tasks. Users can run multiple applications simultaneously—browsers with dozens of tabs, Microsoft Office Suite, email clients, and collaboration tools—without noticeable lag.
The 256GB SSD ensures fast boot times, quick application launches, and snappy file access. While the integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics are not suited for gaming or heavy graphics editing, they can comfortably handle light photo editing, video streaming, and office-based graphical tasks.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Lenovo’s ThinkPad keyboards are renowned for comfort and reliability, and the T480 is no exception. The keys are well-spaced with satisfying tactile feedback, making long typing sessions comfortable and efficient. The backlit keyboard is useful in dimly lit environments, ensuring productivity at any time of day.
The Precision trackpad supports multi-touch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and three-finger swipe, enhancing navigation efficiency. Additionally, the TrackPoint (red pointing stick) remains a preferred choice for users who want precise cursor control without moving their hands from the keyboard.
Battery Life
The T480 is known for impressive battery life. Equipped with Lenovo’s Power Bridge technology, it supports dual batteries—one internal and one removable—allowing for extended usage without downtime. Users can expect up to 8 hours on the standard battery and over 17 hours when using the optional extended battery.
This makes the T480 ideal for professionals who are constantly on the move, whether traveling between meetings, working from cafes, or attending long conferences. The long battery life ensures minimal disruption to productivity.
Connectivity
The ThinkPad T480 offers a wide array of connectivity options to accommodate professional needs. Ports include USB-C, USB 3.1, HDMI, RJ-45 Ethernet, and a microSD card reader. Such extensive connectivity eliminates the need for multiple adapters and allows seamless integration with external monitors, projectors, and storage devices.
The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2, enabling reliable wireless connectivity for cloud-based workflows, remote meetings, and collaborative projects.
Security Features
Security is a priority in business laptops, and the T480 excels in this area. It includes a fingerprint reader for secure and convenient login, TPM 2.0 for hardware-level encryption, and an optional IR camera for facial recognition. These features ensure sensitive data remains protected and provide peace of mind for enterprise users.
Performance Against Modern Laptops
Although the ThinkPad T480 is equipped with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, it continues to deliver reliable performance for typical office and productivity tasks. Modern laptops with 10th or 11th Gen processors offer enhanced performance and graphics capabilities, but the T480’s balance of battery life, keyboard comfort, and durability keeps it competitive for business users prioritizing reliability over cutting-edge specs.
Comparison with ThinkPad L490 and ThinkPad T580
For professionals deciding among ThinkPad models, the T480 offers a balanced mix of portability, performance, and reliability. Below is a comparison with the Lenovo ThinkPad L490 and T580:
| Feature | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 | Lenovo ThinkPad L490 | Lenovo ThinkPad T580 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 8th Gen | Intel Core i5 8th Gen | Intel Core i5 8th Gen |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 256GB SSD |
| Display | 14" FHD | 14" FHD | 15.6" FHD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 620 | Intel UHD 620 | Intel UHD 620 |
| Ports | USB-C, USB 3.1, HDMI, RJ-45, microSD | USB-C, USB 3.1, HDMI, RJ-45, microSD | USB-C, USB 3.1, HDMI, RJ-45, microSD |
| Weight | ~1.58 kg | ~1.4 kg | ~1.43 kg |
| Dimensions | 33.66 × 23.25 × 1.99 cm | 33.1 × 22.09 × 1.79 cm | 32.39 × 21.68 × 1.8–2.08 cm |
| Battery Life | Up to 17 hours | Up to 10 hours | 8–10 hours |
| Security Features | Fingerprint reader, TPM 2.0, IR camera | Fingerprint reader, TPM 2.0 | Fingerprint reader, TPM 2.0 |
| Price Range | ₹35,000–₹45,000 | ₹40,000–₹50,000 | ₹45,000–₹55,000 |
The T480 stands out for its extended battery life, making it ideal for on-the-go users. The L490 offers a lighter build with slightly improved storage, while the T580 is larger and better suited for users requiring more screen real estate.
For more details, you can read the full Lenovo ThinkPad L490 review and Lenovo ThinkPad T580 review.
Why Buying Refurbished Makes Sense
Purchasing a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad T480 provides excellent value without sacrificing performance or reliability. Refurbished laptops are tested, certified, and often come at a significantly lower cost compared to new devices. Buying a T480 from Refurbo allows professionals to access a high-quality business laptop at a fraction of the original price, making it an affordable yet dependable option. Refurbished units also contribute to sustainability by reducing electronic waste.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
- Professionals traveling frequently benefit from long battery life and durable construction.
- Remote workers enjoy the portability and responsive performance for daily tasks.
- Students appreciate the T480’s multitasking capability and compact design.
- Enterprise users value its security features, reliable connectivity, and extensive port selection.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Long battery life with optional extended battery
- Robust build quality and reliable ThinkPad keyboard
- Excellent multitasking performance with 16GB RAM
- Wide range of ports for business connectivity
- Advanced security features including fingerprint reader and optional IR camera
Cons:
- Integrated graphics limit heavy gaming or creative work
- Slightly heavier than ultrabooks in the same category
- No touchscreen functionality
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 continues to be a top contender for business professionals seeking a durable, reliable, and performance-oriented laptop. Its combination of a robust build, responsive keyboard, strong battery life, and secure features makes it suitable for a wide range of professional tasks.
When compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad L490 and T580, the T480 offers the longest battery life and balanced portability, while the other models provide variations in screen size, storage, and weight to suit specific needs. Purchasing a refurbished T480 from Refurbo is a smart way to get a business-class laptop at a fraction of the cost of a new model.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 handle heavy multitasking?
A: Yes, the ThinkPad T480 with Intel Core i5 8th Gen and 16GB DDR4 RAM can handle multiple applications and browser tabs simultaneously without lag.
Q: Does the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 support USB-C charging?
A: Yes, the T480 supports USB-C charging, offering convenience and compatibility with modern power adapters.
Q: How long does the battery last on the Lenovo ThinkPad T480?
A: The T480 offers up to 8 hours on the standard battery and over 17 hours with the optional extended battery.
Q: Can the RAM and storage of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 be upgraded?
A: Yes, both RAM and storage are upgradeable, allowing users to extend the laptop’s lifespan.
Q: Is the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 suitable for gaming?
A: No, the integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics are designed for office and productivity tasks, not high-end gaming.
Q: How does the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 compare with the ThinkPad L490?
A: The L490 is slightly lighter and has larger storage options, but the T480 offers superior battery life and a more established business-class design.
Q: How does the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 compare with the ThinkPad T580?
A: The T580 offers a larger screen and more extensive port selection, while the T480 is more portable with longer battery life, making it better for mobile professionals.
Q: Why should I consider buying a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad T480?
A: Refurbished units from Refurbo are tested and certified for quality, available at a lower price than new models, and provide excellent value for business-class performance.
