@LeonAnavi Not yet. I'm new to ThinkPad community. Later on I'd like to see how much memory I can upgrade, right now it has 512. And I haven't personally opened the machine, a friend of mine upgraded it for me and got it from the overseas so it was really inexpensive like less than $300. I work as a content writer so most I do is open 100s of tabs that's why I got 32 gigs. Anyway, do suggest if you have any ideas. I also use two external monitors so I'll be buying it's docking station. And oh, it's the qhd model non touch and the panel is simply amazing. I haven't used a keyboard like this one.
As you can see in the video, if you need more space the upgrade of the SSD is easy. Owning a docking station is a pretty handy. The price of the 2nd hand compatible docking stations drops rapidly for older models like this. It is good idea to buy one at a decent price. Last but not least using a Linux distribution is a game changer in terms of improved performance for T490 but of course you need to get used to Linux if you haven't used it before.
@@LeonAnavi As a matter of fact, i did install Ubuntu yesterday especially since my cousin hyped it so much. However, I don't like few things, touchpad isn't working normally, windows gestures are had to figure out and a few other things makes me really uncomfortable. I think i'll be switching back unfortunately. Thanks for the suggestion though.
What's wrong with the touchpad? Nowadays Ubuntu GUI is basically a GNOME desktop environment with some Ubuntu specific configurations. You can configure it further for your taste but yes, indeed it takes time to get used to it if you are switching from another OS and/or different desktop environment.
Yes, it is a mess. It is kind of an industry trend that the laptop designers follow. This year Intel launched Lunar Lake with integrated RAM within the SoC (as on-package 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 RAM). Shortly after releasing this I read news Intel regrets doing it and won't do it for the next generation SoCs. We'll see how it goes.
T490 is available with either 8GB or 16GB soldered to the motherboard. On a Linux distribution you can check the RAM hardware configuration with the lshw command-line app by executing the following command in a terminal: lshw -class memory
For sure there is something similar on Windows. What about WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)? I am curious if lshw will work properly through WSL because it is a hardware related app.
@@LeonAnavi Haha...you're talking to someone who has no clue about that. The smartest option might be to simply hand it over to a local shop and let them upgrade it for me. But, I have done ram and HDD upgrades on other machines before so I should simply crack it open to check.
Well, you can always follow the steps in the video to temporary disable the built-in battery and perform an upgrade as shown in the video. Opening the laptop is relatively easy but you have to be carerful.
It is a M.2 2242 slot. Lenovo ThinkPad T490 supports one drive, up to 256GB on this M.2 2242 SSD or 1TB M.2 2280 SSD (this is the M.2 slot I used in the video).
I am wondering about the same. The datasheet says: "One drive, up to 256GB M.2 2242 SSD or 1TB M.2 2280 SSD, optional Intel Optane™ Memory integrated with SSD, M.2". I guess it should be possible to use M.2 2242 SSD as a second drive but I am a bit concerned by this "one drive" and "or". I don't have a spare M.2 2242 SSD to try right now. I keep this in mind if I find such a disk to test.
No, it wasn't blank by default: out of the box all T490 laptops came with SSD. This is the boot drive. The old SSD was 256GB and it had been removed before recording the video.
@@rajivravio keep in mind that this T490 is a 2nd hand laptop that I bought for the video. This is a model from 2019. In 2020 Lenovo switched the T series to a new naming scheme. Similar newer models nowadays are branded as T14.
I bought this T490 recently as a 2nd hand item. The model is from 2019. However, I own several different ThinkPad models and I have been using the T-series since 2016 when I bought T460S.
Good question. Some T490 models have "touch style fingerprint reader on palm rest, match-on-chip". It is an optional feature. I have to check if this particular unit has one.
Yes, your T490 supports up to 40GB (8GB soldered + 32GB SO-DIMM) DDR4-2400. Please note that if the installed memory is actually 2666MHz it may run at 2400MHz due to processor limitation. It depends on your CPU. The following CPU support 2666MHz Core i7-10510U, Core i7-10710U , Core i5-10210U. The rest CPU on T490 support 2400MHz. What is the exact model of your CPU?
I recrently got this and upgeaded ram, now I have 32 gb. it works great. I love the machine.
Great to hear! Have you performed any other upgrades on your T490?
@LeonAnavi Not yet. I'm new to ThinkPad community. Later on I'd like to see how much memory I can upgrade, right now it has 512. And I haven't personally opened the machine, a friend of mine upgraded it for me and got it from the overseas so it was really inexpensive like less than $300. I work as a content writer so most I do is open 100s of tabs that's why I got 32 gigs. Anyway, do suggest if you have any ideas. I also use two external monitors so I'll be buying it's docking station. And oh, it's the qhd model non touch and the panel is simply amazing. I haven't used a keyboard like this one.
As you can see in the video, if you need more space the upgrade of the SSD is easy. Owning a docking station is a pretty handy. The price of the 2nd hand compatible docking stations drops rapidly for older models like this. It is good idea to buy one at a decent price. Last but not least using a Linux distribution is a game changer in terms of improved performance for T490 but of course you need to get used to Linux if you haven't used it before.
@@LeonAnavi As a matter of fact, i did install Ubuntu yesterday especially since my cousin hyped it so much. However, I don't like few things, touchpad isn't working normally, windows gestures are had to figure out and a few other things makes me really uncomfortable. I think i'll be switching back unfortunately. Thanks for the suggestion though.
What's wrong with the touchpad? Nowadays Ubuntu GUI is basically a GNOME desktop environment with some Ubuntu specific configurations. You can configure it further for your taste but yes, indeed it takes time to get used to it if you are switching from another OS and/or different desktop environment.
Great video. There's a place in hell reserved for laptop designers who solder in one stick of RAM
Yes, it is a mess. It is kind of an industry trend that the laptop designers follow. This year Intel launched Lunar Lake with integrated RAM within the SoC (as on-package 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 RAM). Shortly after releasing this I read news Intel regrets doing it and won't do it for the next generation SoCs. We'll see how it goes.
thank you!
I am happy to hear the video is useful 🙂
Nice video. How can one tell whether or not the factory memory is soldered onto the motherboard? I have a T490 and the invoice says 16gb. Thanks!
T490 is available with either 8GB or 16GB soldered to the motherboard. On a Linux distribution you can check the RAM hardware configuration with the lshw command-line app by executing the following command in a terminal:
lshw -class memory
@@LeonAnavi Wow! Fast reply! Unfortunately, I am only using Windows 11 on the machine. Perhaps I need to open it up...
For sure there is something similar on Windows. What about WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)? I am curious if lshw will work properly through WSL because it is a hardware related app.
@@LeonAnavi Haha...you're talking to someone who has no clue about that. The smartest option might be to simply hand it over to a local shop and let them upgrade it for me. But, I have done ram and HDD upgrades on other machines before so I should simply crack it open to check.
Well, you can always follow the steps in the video to temporary disable the built-in battery and perform an upgrade as shown in the video. Opening the laptop is relatively easy but you have to be carerful.
What is the slot on the motherboard just above the ssd slot
It is a M.2 2242 slot. Lenovo ThinkPad T490 supports one drive, up to 256GB on this M.2 2242 SSD or 1TB M.2 2280 SSD (this is the M.2 slot I used in the video).
@@LeonAnavi could you have a second SSD drive in there?
I am wondering about the same. The datasheet says: "One drive, up to 256GB M.2 2242 SSD or 1TB M.2 2280 SSD, optional Intel Optane™ Memory integrated with SSD, M.2". I guess it should be possible to use M.2 2242 SSD as a second drive but I am a bit concerned by this "one drive" and "or". I don't have a spare M.2 2242 SSD to try right now. I keep this in mind if I find such a disk to test.
Yes, the word "or" makes me think the answer is no.
Is the ssd port blank by default? Is the boot dive another one or did you have to replace the boot drive?
No, it wasn't blank by default: out of the box all T490 laptops came with SSD. This is the boot drive. The old SSD was 256GB and it had been removed before recording the video.
@@LeonAnavi thx for the confirmation
@@rajivravio keep in mind that this T490 is a 2nd hand laptop that I bought for the video. This is a model from 2019. In 2020 Lenovo switched the T series to a new naming scheme. Similar newer models nowadays are branded as T14.
Hey, for how long you've been using this laptop? thanks
I bought this T490 recently as a 2nd hand item. The model is from 2019. However, I own several different ThinkPad models and I have been using the T-series since 2016 when I bought T460S.
Hey what about the Lenovo L380 i5 gen8 touch or the t490 touch
I wanted to buy one of those
It is an easy choice between the two for me: T490. Because L series are mid-range series and T are premium.
does it have finger print sensor? cuz mine does not.
Good question. Some T490 models have "touch style fingerprint reader on palm rest, match-on-chip". It is an optional feature. I have to check if this particular unit has one.
Can you send me the specification of the 8GB ram ? I want to upgrade mine too
yes, ThinkPad T490 supports SO-DIMM DDR4-2400 RAM.
@LeonAnavi Sir can I mix 2400 Hertz and 2600 Hertz Ram together? What is the default or Ram specification?
Sir , my laptop only have 8 gb installed ram.Is it possible to add a 16 gb? will it work fine?
Yes, your T490 supports up to 40GB (8GB soldered + 32GB SO-DIMM) DDR4-2400. Please note that if the installed memory is actually 2666MHz it may run at 2400MHz due to processor limitation. It depends on your CPU. The following CPU support 2666MHz Core i7-10510U, Core i7-10710U , Core i5-10210U. The rest CPU on T490 support 2400MHz. What is the exact model of your CPU?
@LeonAnavi T490 Core i5, 8 gb ram. I am planning to add 16 gb ram to make it 24 gb ram .. Another question sir , can a T490 edit 4K resolution video?
is this a touch screen laptop?
There is variant of T490 with multi-touch screen. However, this particular unit is not with touch screen.
The ThinkPad T490 is not fully compatible with NVMe Gen4 SSDs, Gen3 is ok
Yes, T490 supports NVMe PCIe 3.0