why you should buy the Thinkpad T480 in 2025!

Summary

In this video, the presenter discusses why used ThinkPad laptops offer the best value for money, highlighting their durability, upgradability, and cost-effectiveness. The machine, though made of plastic, is robust and built to last. It features excellent keyboard design, a long-lasting battery, and easy upgrades like RAM, storage, and display swaps. The laptop also supports USB-C charging and has a fingerprint sensor for added security. Despite its age, it performs well for tasks like video editing. At a fraction of the cost of new laptops, it's perfect for budget-conscious users, students, or anyone seeking a reliable machine with future upgrade potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 The laptop is one of the cheapest options available online and has been used for 7 months.
• 😀 It is built with durable plastic, not premium but feels sturdy and can withstand some rough handling.
• 😀 The laptop offers a variety of useful ports, including USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and an SD card slot.
• 😀 The keyboard is one of the best features, offering satisfying typing experience, good key travel, and multiple brightness levels.
• 😀 It includes a fingerprint sensor for easy login and has a red nipple pointing device for navigation.
• 😀 The laptop has two batteries (24w internal and 24w external), with the option to replace the external battery for better performance.
• 😀 After replacing the external battery with a larger 48w one, the laptop's battery life has improved significantly.
• 😀 USBC charging is supported, allowing the laptop to be powered by an external battery pack.
• 😀 The laptop is highly upgradable, with easy-to-replace components such as RAM, storage, internal battery, trackpad, display, and Wi-Fi card.
• 😀 The ThinkPad line offers various affordable models in the used market, providing budget-friendly options for upgrades.
• 😀 The laptop is a solid choice for students or those needing a reliable machine with future upgradeability, despite its older screen and performance limitations.

Q & A

What is the main advantage of buying a used laptop according to the script?

The main advantage of buying a used laptop is its cost-effectiveness. The script highlights that used laptops, particularly from the ThinkPad line, offer great value for money while still providing a reliable and durable experience.

How durable is the laptop mentioned in the video?

The laptop is described as being highly durable, even though it's made of plastic. The script notes that it feels sturdy and is capable of withstanding rough handling, making it a reliable option for users who are not concerned about premium materials.

What are the key features of the laptop's ports and connectivity options?

The laptop features a headphone jack, full-size HDMI port, Ethernet port, two USB 3.0 ports, a full-size SD card slot, a Kensington Lock port, and two USB-C ports. These provide options for charging, data transfer, and connecting external devices.

What is special about the keyboard of this laptop?

The keyboard is praised as one of the best available on laptops. It offers a satisfying typing experience, with good key travel and two brightness levels. Additionally, it includes a red nipple (pointing stick) and a fingerprint sensor for easy login.

How does the battery performance of this laptop compare to the original?

The laptop originally comes with two 24w batteries, but the user upgraded to a larger 48w external battery, which offers longer battery life. The script mentions that, after the upgrade, the laptop can last up to 5 hours depending on usage.

Why is the upgradability of this laptop important?

The laptop's upgradability is a key feature because it allows users to replace or upgrade components such as RAM, storage, battery, display, trackpad, and even the Wi-Fi card. This flexibility is beneficial for users who want to extend the lifespan of their device or improve its performance.

What is the performance of this laptop like for general use?

Despite being six years old, the laptop performs well for everyday tasks. The user is able to edit videos on it without issues. However, it is not suitable for AAA gaming or high-performance tasks due to its age and hardware limitations.

How does the price of this used laptop compare to new alternatives?

The used ThinkPad laptop is much cheaper than new alternatives. The user paid around £230 for the laptop, which came with 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and an Intel i5 processor, making it an affordable option compared to new laptops that may not offer the same upgradability.

What are the drawbacks of this laptop mentioned in the video?

Some drawbacks include the screen quality, which isn't the best, and the fact that it may not perform well with AAA games. Additionally, the speakers are decent but not exceptional, and the laptop is considered to be a bit outdated for certain tasks.

Why does the user prefer this laptop over Chromebooks?

The user prefers this laptop over Chromebooks because it runs a full OS (Windows), which they are more familiar with. Chromebooks are seen as too basic, and the user values the flexibility and functionality that comes with using a traditional operating system.