ThinkPad T420

2011–2012 · laptop

Specifications

Cpu: Intel Core i5-2520M 2.5 GHz to Core i7-2720QM 2.2 GHz
Ram: max: 16 GB DDR3-1333 (2×8 GB); Lenovo's official spec listed 8 GB, 16 GB is the community-verified sweet spot · base: 2 GB DDR3-1333
Ports: USB 2.0 ×3 · eSATA/USB combo · VGA · DisplayPort · Gigabit Ethernet · ExpressCard/34 · Docking connector
Battery: Removable 6-cell Li-Ion (~57 Wh), 9-cell extended available
Display: 14" 1366×768, optional 1600×900
Storage: base: 320 GB SATA HDD · options: 500 GB SATA HDD · 320 GB SATA SSD · mSATA SSD in the WWAN slot (community mod)
Weight: 2.27 kg
Os Support: latest: Windows 10 (unofficial, widely used); Linux fully supported · shipped: Windows 7 Professional

Upgrade paths

RAM

16 GB DDR3-1333 (2×8 GB) · Two SO-DIMM slots under the bottom panel. Officially rated for 8 GB, 16 GB works without issue.

~$35

EASY

storage

2.5" SATA III SSD, plus a second mSATA SSD in the unused WWAN slot · The WWAN mini-PCIe slot accepts a standard mSATA SSD with a cheap adapter, giving a second drive without touching the main bay.

~$40

EASY

battery

6-cell or 9-cell Li-Ion replacement pack · Tool-free release latch on the bottom.

EASY

Page contributors

Thanks to @zacharystaines for notes, guides and corrections on this page.