Lenovo ThinkPad E480 review
Lenovo ThinkPad E480 — from 2017, 1.75 kg, performance 36.
Technical specifications
| Type | Business |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Screen | 14" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 8250U |
| Graphics | Radeon RX 550 |
| Max. RAM | 32 GB |
| Weight | 1.75 kg |
Performance scores
ThinkPad E480 — a Radeon RX 550 entry point to ThinkPad ergonomics
The E480 (2017) is the entry ThinkPad 14-incher, here with a real entry dGPU: a Core i5-8250U, Radeon RX 550, and 32GB of RAM at $256, under the $297 business-class median. The measured profile: graphics 24.13 against the near-floor 3.84 class median — a 528% above-median placing backed by a genuine card, not an artifact — with reliability 25 versus 42.5 (the named weakness) and CPU 35.9 versus 53 on generation grounds.
What it does well
By ok-flags the RX 550 clears minimum settings for Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V, and Civilization 6 — a modest but real gaming dimension for a business machine. The quad-core 8250U with 32GB of RAM handles office and light development work well. The E-series delivers the ThinkPad keyboard and serviceability basics at the value price.
The trade-offs, stated plainly
Reliability at 25 versus 42.5 is the age marker: a seven-year-old value-tier platform. The RX 550 is entry-tier even by 2018 standards — light titles at modest settings, nothing more. The E-chassis flexes where the T-series holds. Performance is mid-pack against newer class rivals.
Price trajectory
From a $1,300 launch configuration it has declined at about 7.6% per year to $256, with a projected $219 in two years (15% further). The dGPU configuration holds value slightly better than the iGPU baseline.
Against its neighbors
Only two measured analogs sit in band, both cheaper: an HP EliteBook 840 G6 at $225 and a Dell Latitude 3500 at $234. The EliteBook 840 G6 at $225 is the premium-chassis rival for $31 less — but with iGPU-only graphics; the E480's card is the honest differentiator for casual-gaming buyers.
Bottom line
Worth its price for the buyer who wants ThinkPad ergonomics plus a genuine entry gaming dimension: quad-core, 32GB, RX 550, ok-flag clearance on light titles. For pure office duty the cheaper 840 G6 neighbor wins; for anything beyond light gaming, move up-band.
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⭐ What stands out
-
graphics performance is higher than typical business class (+200%) (light tier).
above class average -
reliability is lower than typical business class (+41.2%) (low tier).
below class average -
CPU performance is lower than typical business class (+32.2%) (office tier).
budget segment of category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: reliability ↔ price
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration is sufficient for office work, media playback, and older or undemanding games.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 42.5) ↔ price (median 297.4).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 60) ↔ overall performance (median 41.5).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 62.5) ↔ battery life (median 3.3).
ThinkPad E480: verdict
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