I’m currently using T480. Thinking of upgrading to a second hand new-ish model.
Initially I was interested in ThinkPad L14 gen 2 or gen 3, but I’ve read that the wifi card is not upgradeable. I also read that newer models block installing SSD into the WWAN slot. I prefer having separate SSD for installing secondary OS.
Any recommendations of newer models with dual SODIMM slots, upgradeable wifi card, ability to add SSD to WWAN slot?
Thank you.
This is a GREAT question. I have a gen 6 x1 carbon. But, everything is soldered on. So I can’t upgrade. When she eventually dies, I’d rather a machine I can upgrade. As long as it’s new enough. Keen to hear the answer.
Afaik the Amd versions always have classic wifi cards in their m2 slots that can be replaced with whatever you like. They also tend to have 32gb ram options available (while the intel only offer 16 - eg x13) which helps to make them future proof. If Wwan slots can be used for ssd I don’t know. My current daily driver is a x280 with a 13inch panel and an ax201.
I can confirm that my T14s AMD Gen 2 does have a replaceable wifi card, but all RAM is soldered since it uses LPDDR_ and sadly LPDDR5 and up will be soldered only. So you have to choose between slow replaceable RAM or fast soldered RAM.
That’s an easy choice for me then ;)