How to open Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (Intel) – disassembly and upgrade options

Undo the seven captive Phillips-head screws on the bottom panel of the laptop.
Eject the SIM card tray.
Use a lever tool to pry the two small areas located behind the laptop’s hinges.
Carefully pry the rest of the plate, starting from the rear and working your way towards the sides.
You don’t need to pop the front part of the cover. Once the rear end is lifted, tilt the panel slightly and lift it off the base.

More info: There are dust filters for the ventilation grills on the inside of the bottom panel.

Battery Removal

Caution: Wear gloves to avoid electrical zaps. Handle the battery with care to avoid damage or injury.

The battery is held in place by two screws around the built-in connector.
Undo these two screws to remove the unit.
With the screws removed, lift the top side of the battery around the connector.

More info: The machine we purchased is equipped with the optional 52.5Wh battery, providing around 17 and a half hours of video playback. The base model comes with a 39.3Wh capacity battery.
You can buy compatible batteries here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Memory Upgrade

Note: The RAM slots are protected with a metal cover.

Locate the RAM slots under the metal cover.
Pop the cover by lifting it with the attached fabric handle on top.
Insert the new RAM modules into the SODIMM slots, ensuring they are properly seated.
Replace the metal cover over the RAM slots.

More info: According to Lenovo, the two SODIMMs are compatible with up to 64GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM in dual-channel mode. However, since the CPU can support up to 96GB, this laptop likely wouldn’t have issues running a larger amount of memory than the official manufacturer’s specified limit.
You can buy compatible RAM here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage Upgrade

Hint: Handle the SSD with care to avoid any data loss or damage during installation.

Locate the single M.2 slot compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs on the motherboard.
If an SSD is already installed, remove it by undoing the securing screw and gently pulling it out.
Insert the new M.2 Gen 4 SSD into the slot at a slight angle.
Press down the SSD and secure it with the screw.

More info: The NVMe SSD is cooled by a sizable thermal pad underneath. The WWAN slot for 4G or 5G connectivity is positioned below the fan.
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)

Wi-Fi Card

More Info: The soldered Wi-Fi card is located above the cooling heat spreader.

Cooling System Overview

More info: The thermal system is basic, comprising one fan, a heat pipe, one heat sink, and a heat spreader. The soldered Wi-Fi card is located above the cooling heat spreader.

Inspect the fan to ensure it is free of dust and debris.
Check the heat pipe for any signs of wear or damage.
Verify that the heat sink is properly seated and unobstructed.
Ensure that the heat spreader is securely in place to maintain optimal cooling performance.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (Intel) in-depth review

The Team Blue version of the ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 may look similar to the ThinkPad L14 Gen 5, but the former has more tricks up in its sleeve like improved port selection, high-refresh-rate display variants, and better portability. The ThinkPad iteration is still powered by 15W or 28W Meteor Lake chips. The upgrade options are comparable between the two siblings.This small machine is offered with six display options. There are a bunch of 1200p 60Hz IPS screens (two of which are touchscreens) with different levels of sRGB coverage and a 2240 x 1400p variant. The most expensive one is a 120Hz [...]

Read the full review

Pros

Rigid build
Good overall performance
The fan is quiet during long 100% CPU loads in "Best Performance" mode
PWM-free display (LEN403D)
Comfortable viewing angles + 16:10 aspect ratio (LEN403D)
445 nits of max brightness (LEN403D)
5MP Web camera with a privacy shutter
Modern port selection with 2x Thunderbolt 4 port and a Gigabit LAN
Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
2x SODIMMs
vPro CPU, IR Web camera, fingerprint reader, Nano-SIM card slot, Smart card reader, Wi-Fi 7, NFC (all are optional)
The Core Ultra 5 125U sustains a 2.68 GHz / 2.36 GHz P and E-core clock in long stress
Silent fan and 2.15 GHz / 1.80 GHz P and E-core frequency in "Balanced" mode
The bottom plate can be easily popped
Fast and well-cooled SSD (SAMSUNG PM9C1a)
High-resolution IPS and OLED display options
You can open the lid with one hand
Very long battery life with the optional 52.5Wh battery (~ 17 hours of videos)