How to open Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 4 (Intel) – disassembly and upgrade options
Step 1: Accessing the Internal Components
- Ensure the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 4 (Intel) is powered off and placed on a soft, clean surface to prevent scratches or damage.
- Remove the 8 captive Phillips-head screws from the laptop’s bottom. These screws will stay attached to the bottom panel, minimizing the risk of loss.
- Pry the bottom plate off with a thin plastic tool, starting from the back of the notebook. Avoid prying from the front; tilt the panel until you hear a slight click, indicating it’s safe to lift the plate away from the chassis.
Hint: Be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the internal clips or the chassis itself.
Step 2: Removing the Battery
- Disconnect the battery by unplugging its connector from the motherboard.
- Remove the four Phillips-head screws that secure the battery to the chassis, then lift away the 46Wh battery.
Caution: Handle the battery and connector with care to avoid damage.
More info: The 46Wh battery offers up to 12 hours and 30 minutes of web browsing or video playback, showcasing excellent battery life for productivity on the go.
Memory Upgrade
- Note that the device comes with soldered 32GB of LPDDR5-4800MHz memory, which, due to platform limitations, operates at 4800MHz despite being rated for 6400MHz.
More info: While the memory is not upgradeable due to its soldered nature, the available 32GB of high-speed RAM is sufficient for most professional and multitasking needs.
Storage Upgrade
- Locate the single M.2 slot for 2242 Gen 4 SSDs on the motherboard.
- Consider upgrading or expanding the storage with a Gen 4 SSD to enhance the laptop’s storage capacity and performance.
- Remember, the NVMe is covered by a metal plate with a thermal pad on the inside for cooling, alongside an additional pad placed below the SSD.
You can buy Gen 4 M.2 SSD modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)
Step 3: Examining the Cooling System
- Inspect the cooling system, consisting of one fan, a top-mounted heat sink, a decently-sized heat pipe, and a heat spreader, designed to efficiently manage the laptop’s thermal output.
More info: Despite being labeled as basic, the cooling system is adequately configured to ensure the laptop maintains optimal performance during intensive tasks.