How one can improve the SSD in Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s (2023)

Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s is in its fourth era for 2023, and it stays a high enterprise laptop computer for cell productiveness. In my ThinkPad T14s (2023) assessment, I famous that it is “supreme for many who want a workhorse enterprise laptop computer that is simpler to hold on flights or forwards and backwards between the house and workplace.” Though the RAM is soldered and can’t be upgraded after buy, ​​​​​​its M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD is accessible for DIY upgrades.

Lenovo gives 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities from the manufacturing unit. Nonetheless, those that need to avoid wasting cash at checkout can carry out an SSD improve later for a lot much less cash. All that is required are a number of instruments and a little bit of your time. On this information we’ll present you precisely what you want for the improve, and we’ll stroll you thru the steps one-by-one to make sure you see a profitable improve.

What you may want

Instruments and {hardware} for the job

Upgrading the SSD in your ThinkPad T14s (Gen 4) requires, at minimal, a alternative SSD and a toolkit with the suitable screwdriver and pry software. Within the case of the T14s (Gen 4), which has only one M.2 slot, you may also need to add an exterior SSD enclosure to make cloning the drive as straightforward as doable. Extra on cloning within the subsequent part.

Relating to the very best M.2 SSDs available on the market proper now, Samsung has some nice {hardware}. The Samsung 990 Professional that we reviewed is hard to beat on the subject of efficiency and reliability, and you will get a 1TB capability for about $140 when not on sale (it is typically all the way down to $100 or so). It is a “one-sided” drive with NAND chips contained on one aspect, permitting it to suit comfortably within the ThinkPad T14s. This is applicable even to the 4TB capability.

In an effort to pull the ThinkPad T14s aside, you may additionally want a small Phillips-head screwdriver and a pry software to loosen the underside panel. These instruments (and extra) can be found within the iFixit Important restore toolkit for about $30. It is a extremely popular and well-rated possibility, and you’ll use the instruments for different digital repairs and upgrades after the SSD is in place.

In the event you’re involved about static electrical energy frying a element through the improve — one thing that is extra widespread in dry climates — you possibly can all the time add an anti-static wristband. It isn’t a requirement, however at about $8 it is a good little assurance to have mendacity round.

How one can again up and put together your knowledge

Cloning and Home windows set up

The ThinkPad T14s (Gen 4) has one M.2 slot for storage. Which means you may have a few choices when it comes time to improve. If you have not already been utilizing your laptop computer for lengthy, you would possibly simply need to again up your essential recordsdata and knowledge on a transportable SSD or cloud storage like OneDrive.

In the event you go the route of backing up knowledge, you possibly can merely reinstall Home windows 11 and transfer your essential recordsdata again onto the PC after you’ve got swapped out the drives. Our information on how you can set up Home windows 11 on a brand new PC can stroll you thru the method. Be aware: There are some steps required earlier than the improve, so you’ll want to learn by means of the separate information earlier than getting began.

In the event you’ve been utilizing the ThinkPad T14s for awhile and you want so as to add extra storage with out actually altering the rest, you may need to try SSD cloning. That is the place the exterior SSD enclosure listed above comes into play. You place the brand new SSD into the enclosure, plug it into the laptop computer, and let specialised software program do its work. All the things on the outdated drive — together with software program and drivers — will get cloned over to the brand new drive. You may put the brand new SSD into the laptop computer, and it will be identical to it was earlier than (besides with extra space for storing). We have now a information on how you can clone your SSD that can stroll you thru the required steps.

How one can improve the SSD in your ThinkPad T14s (2023)

Now that your knowledge is both backed up or cloned to the brand new drive, it is time to get into the precise SSD improve course of. Earlier than starting, energy off our laptop computer, unplug any cables or dongles, and filter a well-lit space to work. The exterior screws are captive so that you should not want to fret about preserving them protected through the improve.

1. Unscrew the 5 fasteners on the underside panel utilizing a Phillips-head screwdriver.

2. Pry up the backside panel utilizing a pry software. Begin on the again close to the hinges and work your approach fastidiously across the edge.

3. Unscrew the single fastener holding the SSD and canopy in place utilizing a Phillips-head screwdriver. This screw shouldn’t be captive: maintain it protected!

4. Take away the copper SSD cowl by pulling it out at a couple of 45-degree angle. Don’t carry straight up or it’s possible you’ll injury the M.2 slot.

5. Take away the outdated SSD by pulling it out of the M.2 slot at a couple of 20-degree angle. Don’t carry straight up or it’s possible you’ll injury the M.2 slot.

6. Slide the new SSD into the identical M.2 slot at about the identical angle. It’s keyed to suit a technique solely and can relaxation firmly within the slot.

7. Substitute the copper SSD cowl.

8. Screw within the fastener to carry the SSD and SSD cowl in place.

9. Substitute the backside panel by making use of stress till it clips into place. Make sure you slot the tooth in alongside the entrance earlier than making use of stress across the again close to the hinges.

10. Screw within the 5 fasteners on the underside panel.

Now you can energy in your ThinkPad T14s (Gen 4). In the event you determined to go the route of a contemporary Home windows 11 set up, it is now time to complete the job. As soon as put in, you possibly can switch your knowledge again to the PC. In the event you went the best way of cloning the drive, the laptop computer ought to energy on and look the identical as earlier than the improve, albeit with extra storage.

The ThinkPad T14s (Gen 4) is a superb laptop computer, nevertheless it’s actually not the one possibility on the market with upgradeable {hardware}. Try our roundups of the very best Lenovo laptops and total finest laptops for extra nice PCs.