If you’re looking for a business laptop that delivers unmatched reliability, smooth performance, and long battery life, the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is an excellent choice. Known for its sturdy design and enterprise-level performance, this laptop has become a favorite among professionals, students, and freelancers who value productivity on the go.
In this article, we’ll explore everything about the Lenovo ThinkPad T480, including its design, performance, display, battery life, and why it still holds up strongly in 2025.
Overview of Lenovo ThinkPad T480
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is part of Lenovo’s T-series lineup, designed primarily for business professionals who need power, security, and portability. With its classic ThinkPad look, full-sized keyboard, and robust build, the T480 delivers both functionality and comfort.
It comes equipped with Intel’s 8th-generation Core processors, excellent RAM options, and a variety of storage configurations, making it a powerful workhorse that can handle multitasking, office applications, and even light creative tasks.
Design and Build Quality of Lenovo ThinkPad T480
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 carries the traditional ThinkPad design — sturdy, matte-black, and minimalistic. Its magnesium and carbon-fiber reinforced chassis ensures excellent durability, meeting MIL-STD-810G military standards.
This means it can withstand accidental drops, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for travel and professional environments.
Weighing around 1.6 kg, the T480 strikes a perfect balance between portability and durability. It also features the iconic red TrackPoint, which provides precision navigation without lifting your hands off the keyboard.
Display and Visual Experience
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 comes with a 14-inch Full HD IPS display, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals. There’s also an option for a WQHD (2560×1440) display for those who prefer higher resolution and color accuracy.
The anti-glare screen reduces reflections, allowing you to work comfortably even in bright environments. Whether you’re preparing a presentation, editing spreadsheets, or watching a video, the display delivers a clear and professional visual experience.
🧾 Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Name | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 |
| Display | 14-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS, Anti-glare |
| Processor | Up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8650U |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 / NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (optional) |
| RAM | Up to 32GB DDR4 (2 x SODIMM slots) |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD or 500GB HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro / Windows 11 Pro |
| Keyboard | Backlit, Spill-resistant ThinkPad keyboard |
| Webcam | 720p HD with optional IR camera for Windows Hello |
| Audio | Dolby Audio Premium with dual stereo speakers |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB-C Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, RJ-45 Ethernet, SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, Gigabit Ethernet |
| Security | Fingerprint Reader, TPM 2.0 Chip, Kensington Lock Slot |
| Battery | Power Bridge Dual Battery (24Wh + 48Wh / 72Wh) |
| Battery Life | Up to 13–14 hours (with extended battery) |
| Weight | Approx. 1.6 kg |
| Build Material | Magnesium and Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Chassis |
| Color | Matte Black (Classic ThinkPad Design) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 336.6 x 232.5 x 19.95 mm |
Performance and Hardware of Lenovo ThinkPad T480
Performance is one of the biggest strengths of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480. Powered by up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, it ensures smooth performance for all productivity tasks. Combined with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage, it handles multitasking, software development, and data-heavy applications effortlessly.
The SSD not only boosts boot time but also ensures fast file transfers and overall system responsiveness. The laptop’s cooling system is well-optimized, keeping the machine quiet and cool even during extended use.
Keyboard and Touchpad Experience
One of the highlights of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is its legendary ThinkPad keyboard. Known for excellent key travel, tactile feedback, and comfort, this keyboard is perfect for long typing sessions.
The backlit keyboard allows you to work in low-light conditions, and the TrackPoint navigation system provides additional precision control. The touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures, making navigation seamless and efficient.
Connectivity and Ports
Connectivity is never an issue with the Lenovo ThinkPad T480. It offers a variety of modern and legacy ports, making it extremely versatile.
Here’s a quick look at the ports you get:
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3)
- HDMI output
- Ethernet (RJ-45) port
- SD card reader
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Docking connector
This wide range of connectivity options ensures you can easily connect to peripherals, projectors, and other devices without needing adapters.
Battery Life and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is known for its impressive battery performance. It features Lenovo’s Power Bridge technology, which combines an internal battery with a removable external one.
This setup allows you to swap the external battery without shutting down the laptop — an excellent feature for travelers and remote workers. With the extended 72Wh battery, you can get up to 13–14 hours of battery life on a single charge, depending on your usage.
Fast charging support can recharge the battery up to 80% in just an hour, keeping you productive all day long.
Audio and Webcam Quality
The ThinkPad T480 features dual microphones and stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium, providing clear sound during video calls or presentations.
The 720p HD webcam is decent for professional meetings, delivering good video quality in well-lit conditions. The dual mic setup ensures crystal-clear voice capture, which is great for virtual conferences or online classes.
Operating System and Software
The ThinkPad T480 typically ships with Windows 10 Pro, but it supports upgrades to Windows 11 Pro, giving users access to the latest features and security updates. Lenovo also includes business-focused utilities like Lenovo Vantage, which helps manage drivers, system updates, and performance optimizations.
Final Verdict – Why Lenovo ThinkPad T480 Is Still Worth Buying in 2025
The ThinkPad T480 remains one of the most trusted laptops for business users and professionals. Its combination of durable design, excellent keyboard, long battery life, and robust performance makes it a smart investment.
Even in 2025, the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 can handle daily workloads, multitasking, and business operations efficiently — making it a timeless choice for anyone who values reliability and productivity.