How to open Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 – disassembly and upgrade options

Undo the five Phillips-head screws securing the bottom panel.
Use a thin plastic tool to pry the panel, starting from the back. Avoid prying the front.
Once the sides are fully popped, lift the back of the plate slightly and slide it backward to remove it.

More info: Here’s how the bottom panel looks on the inside.

Battery Removal

Unplug the battery connector from the motherboard.
Undo the four Phillips-head screws securing the battery.
Untangle the speaker cables around the battery housing.

Note: The laptop is equipped with an optional 54.7Wh battery (the default model is a 41Wh variant). The optional battery provides approximately 17.5 hours of video playback.

Memory Information

Note: The memory is soldered but operates in dual-channel mode. You can configure the device with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x-6400MHz RAM, which is more than sufficient for most users. You can view the memory modules by peeling off the foil that covers them.

Storage Upgrade

Locate the single M.2 slot compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
The NVMe drive is protected by a metal plate, held in place by a single Phillips-head screw. Remove the metal plate and install the new SSD.
There are long thermal pads inside the shroud and beneath the SSD for optimal cooling.

Hint: Don’t forget to check out our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings for insights on the best storage options available.

You can buy compatible SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

WWAN and Wi-Fi Card

The WWAN slot for optional LTE connectivity and the Wi-Fi card are located to the left of the cooling system.

Cooling System Overview

The thermal system includes a single small fan, one heat pipe, a top-mounted heat sink, and a heat spreader.
Ensure all cooling components are clean and free of dust for optimal performance.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 in-depth review

Good portability is a key feature for people who travel a lot or for hybrid workers. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 is a device that can impress many users with its low weight and capable hardware combined with tons of security features. We are talking about a dTPM 2.0 chip, a privacy shutter, a Kensington lock slot, and a self-healing BIOS. As always, you can pay more for extras like an IR Web camera, NFC, LTE connectivity, fingerprint reader, and vPro CPUs. If you get all these goodies, the price of the laptop will be jaw-dropping.This little machine is powered by 15W Intel Meteor [...]

Read the full review

Pros

Solid magnesium build
Great portability
The fan is almost quiet during full CPU loads in "Best Performance" mode
PWM-free panel with 389 nits of max brightness (LEN41AE)
Comfortable viewing angles + 16:10 aspect ratio (LEN41AE)
94% sRGB coverage + accurate color with our "Design and Gaming" profile (LEN41AE)
Excellent reflection handling (LEN41AE)
Good audio quality
Type-C charging
5MP camera with a privacy shutter
Modern port selection with two Type-C ports
The CPU can sustain high P-core clocks in short and medium loads (~3.50 GHz - 3.00 GHz)
Great backlit keyboard + accurate touchpad
360-degree hinge that supports laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes
Optional Lenovo Pen
Up to 64GB LPDDR5x RAM
LTE, NFC, fingerprint reader, Smart Card reader, vPro CPU, Intel Evo certification, and IR Web camera (all are optional)