lenovo laptop featured image

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 — RAM, SSD & Charger Compatibility Guide (2023)

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 (2023) Specifications

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 (2023) is a professional-grade laptop designed for business users seeking reliable performance and solid upgrade potential. This guide covers RAM, SSD, charger compatibility, and upgrade paths for this model. For a comprehensive overview of all Lenovo upgradeable models, visit the Lenovo Laptop Upgrades hub.

ComponentSpecification
Processor13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 vPro (Raptor Lake-U)
RAMLPDDR5x-6400, 0 SO-DIMM slot (+ soldered)
Max RAM32GB (soldered, non-upgradeable)
StorageM.2 2242 NVMe PCIe Gen4, 1 slot
Charger65W USB-C Power Delivery
Ports2× Thunderbolt 4, headphone jack
Display13″ 2K (2160×1350) IPS, 16:10
Weight0.97 kg (2.14 lbs)

Memory Upgrade Path

RAM memory module close-up
RAM memory module close-up

The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 has some RAM soldered to the motherboard, plus 0 SO-DIMM slot for LPDDR5x-6400 expansion, allowing upgrades up to a maximum of 32GB (soldered, non-upgradeable).

Recommended LPDDR5x RAM Upgrades:

  • Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM — Premium DDR5 with excellent compatibility. Reliable for business laptops.
  • Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM — Compact gaming-grade DDR5. Performs well at rated speeds.
  • Crucial DDR5 SO-DIMM — Budget-friendly DDR5 option with solid performance and compatibility.

Storage Expansion (M.2 NVMe)

M.2 NVMe SSD solid state drive
M.2 NVMe SSD solid state drive

The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 uses an M.2 2242 NVMe PCIe Gen4 slot. The single M.2 slot supports up to 2TB.

Recommended M.2 2242 SSDs:

  • Samsung 980 PRO 2280 — Top-tier Gen4 NVMe for maximum performance. Widely compatible.
  • WD Black SN770 2280 — Excellent mainstream NVMe with strong sequential and random speeds.
  • Kingston NV2 2280 — Budget NVMe SSD with reliable performance. Great value upgrade.

Power Delivery & Charging

The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 uses a 65W USB-C Power Delivery charger. This is compatible with any USB-C PD charger of equal or higher wattage from brands like Anker, Ugreen, or the original Lenovo charger.

Compatible Chargers:

  • Anker 100W USB-C PD Charger — Compact, multi-port option. Works with this and other USB-C devices.
  • Ugreen USB-C PD Charger (65W+) — Affordable universal charger with good reputation.
  • INIU USB-C PD Fast Charger — Budget option with solid performance and portability.

Port & Docking Capabilities

Connectivity: 2× Thunderbolt 4, headphone jack

The presence of Thunderbolt 4 (×2) provides fast external storage and high-bandwidth peripherals. Consider a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 or Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Dock Pro for desktop expansion with multiple displays and storage.


Upgrade Difficulty & Tools Required

The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 has a difficulty rating of 1/5 for upgrades (5 = easiest). Ultra-portable with minimal upgradeability. RAM is fully soldered — choose wisely at purchase. SSD uses the smaller M.2 2242 form factor only. At under 1kg, the trade-off is weight vs upgradeability.Tools needed:

  • Philips screwdriver (M2.5 or similar)
  • ESD wrist strap (optional but recommended)
  • Thermal paste (only if reapplying to heatsinks)

We recommend backing up your data and consulting your service manual before opening the chassis.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade the RAM in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3?

Partially. Some RAM is soldered, but there is 0 SO-DIMM slot available for expansion.

What is the maximum RAM for the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3?

The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 supports up to 32GB (soldered, non-upgradeable) (LPDDR5x-6400) with all expansion slots populated with matching modules.

What type of SSD does the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 use?

The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 uses a standard M.2 2280 NVMe SSD. This is the most common laptop SSD form factor with the widest range of compatible drives available.

Can I use a different USB-C charger with the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3?

Yes, any USB-C Power Delivery charger rated for 65W or higher will work. Brands like Anker and Ugreen offer universal USB-C solutions.

Is the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 compatible with a Thunderbolt dock?

Yes, the Thunderbolt 4 (×2) supports Thunderbolt docks for desktop expansion with multiple monitors and external storage.


Recommended Products

These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.

ProductWhy We Recommend ItAmazon UK
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 16GBPremium DDR5 with excellent compatibility. Reliable for business laptops.View on Amazon UK
Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 16GBCompact gaming-grade DDR5. Performs well at rated speeds.View on Amazon UK
Crucial DDR5 SO-DIMM 16GBBudget-friendly DDR5 option with solid performance and compatibility.View on Amazon UK
Samsung 980 PRO 2280 NVMe 512GBTop-tier Gen4 NVMe for maximum performance. Widely compatible.View on Amazon UK
WD Black SN770 2280 NVMe 512GBExcellent mainstream NVMe with strong sequential and random speeds.View on Amazon UK
Kingston NV2 2280 NVMe 512GBBudget NVMe SSD with reliable performance. Great value upgrade.View on Amazon UK
Anker 100W USB-C PD ChargerCompact, multi-port option. Works with this and other USB-C devices.View on Amazon UK
Ugreen USB-C PD Charger (65W+)Affordable universal charger with good reputation.View on Amazon UK
INIU USB-C PD Fast ChargerBudget option with solid performance and portability.View on Amazon UK
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt DockProfessional-grade Thunderbolt 4 dock with multiple ports, displays, and Ethernet. Top choice for desk setup.View on Amazon UK

Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Lenovo Upgrade Guides

Not sure what fits? Use our free Compatibility Checker covering 3,195+ models.

Helpful Guides

💰 Compare PricesShop around for the best deal on Lenovo ThinkPad laptop upgrades
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.

Recommended 2TB SSDs

Western Digital WD_BLACK AN1500 1 TB PCI Express 3.0 NVMe

Western Digital

Western Digital WD_BLACK AN1500 1 TB PCI Express 3.0 NVMe

£569.35

View Deal
Western Digital Black WD_BLACK™ SN7100 NVMe™ SSD POWERED BY SANDISK 50

Western Digital

Western Digital Black WD_BLACK™ SN7100 NVMe™ SSD POWERED BY SANDISK 50

£147.10

View Deal
Origin Storage Inception SSD 512GB NVMe M.2 3D TLC 80mm

Origin Storage

Origin Storage Inception SSD 512GB NVMe M.2 3D TLC 80mm

£93.92

View Deal
Western Digital 4TB WD Blue® SN5100 NVMe™ SSD

Western Digital

Western Digital 4TB WD Blue® SN5100 NVMe™ SSD

£698.54

View Deal
Western Digital Black WD_BLACK™ SN8100 NVMe™ SSD POWERED BY SANDISK 2

Western Digital

Western Digital Black WD_BLACK™ SN8100 NVMe™ SSD POWERED BY SANDISK 2

£594.62

View Deal
Kingston Technology 500G NV3 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD

Kingston Technology

Kingston Technology 500G NV3 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD

£111.76

View Deal

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Not sure what fits? Check your exact model Use the Compatibility Checker →