How to open Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i (14, Gen 8) – disassembly and upgrade options
Step 1: Accessing the Internal Components
- Ensure the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i (14, Gen 8) is powered off and placed on a soft, clean surface to prevent scratches or damage.
- Remove the 6 Torx-head screws from the bottom of the laptop.
- Use a spudger to gently lift the back of the laptop, then employ a thin plastic tool to pry the bottom plate off, starting from one of the top two corners.
Hint: Be careful when prying to avoid damaging the internal clips or the laptop casing.
Step 2: Removing the Battery
- Disconnect the battery by unplugging its connector from the motherboard.
- Remove the 3 Phillips-head screws that secure the battery to the laptop’s chassis, then remove the 75Wh battery from the device.
Caution: Handle the battery and its connector with care to avoid any damage.
More info: The 75Wh battery provides up to 14 hours and 17 minutes of web browsing, or 11 hours and 7 minutes of video playback, offering excellent battery life for extended use.
Memory
- The laptop comes with soldered 32GB of LPDDR5-5200MHz RAM, providing high-speed performance in dual-channel mode for efficient multitasking and productivity.
More info: While the memory is not upgradeable due to its soldered nature, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM is ample for most professional and intensive computing needs.
Storage Upgrade
- Identify the single M.2 slot on the motherboard that supports both 2280 and 2242 Gen 4 SSDs for high-speed storage solutions.
- Upgrade or add a new NVMe SSD as needed to expand storage capacity or improve overall system responsiveness.
You can buy Gen 4 M.2 SSD modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)
Step 3: Examining the Cooling System
- Review the cooling system, which includes two fans, a pair of heat pipes shared between the CPU and the GPU, two heat sinks, and two large heat spreaders, designed to efficiently manage the thermal output of the device.
More info: This cooling configuration, while compact, is effectively designed to ensure the laptop maintains optimal performance levels during extensive usage, which is particularly important for power-intensive tasks and gaming.