Tech head-to-head
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD)vsLenovo ThinkPad T480
Two Lenovo models that average 8.2 and 7.8. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) takes Performance, 8.3 to 6.8.
8.2
Eight Ryzen cores in the top configuration, a free memory slot, and Windows 11 support, at off-lease prices.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Lenovo ThinkPad T480
Lenovo
7.8
Two batteries, two memory slots, and a keyboard people still seek out, on an aging 8th-gen chip.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Where they diverge
The widest gap is Performance, Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) ahead 8.3 to 6.8. They come closest on Value, 8.9 to 8.8. Left of center is Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD), right is Lenovo ThinkPad T480.
Which one to pick
Take the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD)
Leads on Performance, Ease of use and Design.
- You want the most processor and memory headroom an off-lease budget buys
- You plug into Ethernet, an external monitor, and USB-A devices without a dongle
- Linux is the plan, since AMD units of this generation are well supported
Take the Lenovo ThinkPad T480
Leads on Value and Durability.
- You want a laptop you can fix, upgrade, and swap batteries on yourself
- The work is writing, browsing, and terminals rather than heavy compute
- You want a large removable battery for long days away from outlets
What each one gets wrong
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD)
- Weight matters, since this is the heaviest 14-inch machine here after the T480
- The listing shows the dim 250-nit panel and you work near windows
Lenovo ThinkPad T480
- The listing has the 1366×768 screen and you are not willing to replace it
- You want a machine that feels current alongside a 2021 Ryzen laptop
Specs, side by side
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U or Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U | 8th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 (quad-core U-series) |
| Memory | 8GB or 16GB soldered plus one SO-DIMM slot | Two SO-DIMM slots |
| Display | 14-inch, 1920×1080 on most units | 14-inch, 1366×768 or 1920×1080 |
| Battery | 50Wh | Internal 24Wh plus removable rear battery (24Wh or 72Wh) |
| Storage | One M.2 NVMe slot | M.2 NVMe slot |
| Ports | 2× USB-C, 2× USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jack | Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, 2× USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Both are Lenovo. Which one do I want?
- Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) leads on Performance, Ease of use and Design. If Value and Durability matter more to you, take the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 instead. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) averages 8.2 and Lenovo ThinkPad T480 averages 7.8, over the 5 axes Tech is scored on.
- Where do the two Lenovo models actually differ?
- Performance is the widest gap, Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) ahead 8.3 to 6.8. Every axis lands somewhere different, so the profile shapes differ as much as the totals.
- Which one ranks higher in "Off-lease ThinkPads: which generation is still worth it"?
- Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD) sits at #1 in "Off-lease ThinkPads: which generation is still worth it", Lenovo ThinkPad T480 at #4.