Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (2019) Specifications
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 (2019) 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.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 (Whiskey Lake) |
| RAM | DDR4-2400, 1 SO-DIMM slot (+ soldered) |
| Max RAM | 48GB (8GB soldered + 1× 32GB SO-DIMM) or 24GB (8GB + 16GB) |
| Storage | M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen3, 1 slot |
| Charger | 65W USB-C Power Delivery |
| Ports | 1× Thunderbolt 3, 1× USB-C 3.1, 2× USB-A 3.1, HDMI 2.0, RJ-45 (via dongle), SD card |
| Display | 14″ FHD (1920×1080) or WQHD (2560×1440) IPS, 16:9 |
| Weight | 1.46 kg (3.22 lbs) |
Memory Upgrade Path
The ThinkPad T490 has some RAM soldered to the motherboard, plus 1 SO-DIMM slot for DDR4-2400 expansion, allowing upgrades up to a maximum of 48GB (8GB soldered + 1× 32GB SO-DIMM) or 24GB (8GB + 16GB).
Recommended DDR4 RAM Upgrades:
- Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM — Proven DDR4 laptop memory with wide compatibility. Fast and reliable.
- Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM — Popular DDR4 upgrade for laptops. Good speeds and low latency.
- Crucial DDR4 SO-DIMM — Budget-friendly DDR4 with solid performance. Well-tested across brands.
Storage Expansion (M.2 NVMe)
The ThinkPad T490 uses an M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen3 slot. The single M.2 slot supports up to 2TB.
Recommended M.2 2280 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 T490 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: 1× Thunderbolt 3, 1× USB-C 3.1, 2× USB-A 3.1, HDMI 2.0, RJ-45 (via dongle), SD card
The presence of Thunderbolt 3 (×1) 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 T490 has a difficulty rating of 3/5 for upgrades (5 = easiest). Mixed upgradeability. One DDR4 SO-DIMM slot plus soldered RAM (8GB on-board in most configs). SSD is standard 2280 and easy to swap. Removed the T480’s hot-swappable battery and docking connector.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 T490?
Partially. Some RAM is soldered, but there is 1 SO-DIMM slot available for expansion.
What is the maximum RAM for the ThinkPad T490?
The ThinkPad T490 supports up to 48GB (8GB soldered + 1× 32GB SO-DIMM) or 24GB (8GB + 16GB) (DDR4-2400) with all expansion slots populated with matching modules.
What type of SSD does the ThinkPad T490 use?
The ThinkPad T490 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 T490?
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 T490 compatible with a Thunderbolt dock?
Yes, the Thunderbolt 3 (×1) 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.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 16GB | Proven DDR4 laptop memory with wide compatibility. Fast and reliable. | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 16GB | Popular DDR4 upgrade for laptops. Good speeds and low latency. | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial DDR4 SO-DIMM 16GB | Budget-friendly DDR4 with solid performance. Well-tested across brands. | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 980 PRO 2280 NVMe 512GB | Top-tier Gen4 NVMe for maximum performance. Widely compatible. | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN770 2280 NVMe 512GB | Excellent mainstream NVMe with strong sequential and random speeds. | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 2280 NVMe 512GB | Budget NVMe SSD with reliable performance. Great value upgrade. | View on Amazon UK |
| Anker 100W USB-C PD Charger | Compact, 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 Charger | Budget option with solid performance and portability. | View on Amazon UK |
| CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt Dock | Professional-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
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- Best RAM for Lenovo ThinkPad in 2026
- Lenovo ThinkSystem SR665 V3 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2023)
- Lenovo ThinkSystem SR665 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2020)
- Lenovo ThinkSystem SR645 RAM & SSD Upgrade Guide (2020)
- Lenovo Upgrade Guide
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