Lenovo makes ThinkPad T series laptops magnificently repairable at MWC 2024

Lenovo has gained multiple headlines at this year’s MWC for its laptop with a transparent screen. And sure, it’s visually impressive. But Lenovo’s truly important news from MWC 2024 is around the ThinkPad T series laptops becoming repairable.

In one generation, it’s gone from a semi-respectable 7.3 rating on iFixit to an exceptional 9.3. Only Framework laptops can beat that, but it’s actually far more important that companies like Lenovo up their sustainability game because their laptops sell in the millions rather than thousands.

Key repairability improvements to the ThinkPad T series

Lenovo – by working with iFixit – identified several ways to improve the repairability of the ThinkPad T series. Here, we’re talking about the T14, T14s and T16.

Removable and replaceable keyboard
Easy to remove base with captive screws
User-replaceable parts inside, including memory (except in T14s), speakers, battery, SSDs
More parts replaceable by Lenovo technicians (touchpad, ports)

The key thing to avoid is soldering every component onto the motherboard, as this means that if the board fails then you have to replace it. That’s so expensive that it often means a new laptop is the wiser course of action.

Lenovo is also making it easier for end users to fix the laptops, including IT technicians working in businesses who often need to make changes themselves. This involves clear labelling of components and even QR codes.

“These QR codes take you to a [support] landing zone,” said Tom Butler, Executive Director of Lenovo’s Commercial Portfolio and Product Management.

“The web page gives you an on-site repair guide, part numbers to order information… because part of the challenge of repairability is making sure you have all that one space.” There will even be videos to guide people through the process.

There is still room for improvement. The cooling system is integrated onto the motherboard, as are the Thunderbolt ports.

Also, when I asked Lenovo if it would make the schematic of the motherboard available – so that knowledgeable fixers could get their soldering irons out – I was told that no, that wasn’t currently possible. Or at least, not to the knowledge of the product managers in the room.

Inside the repairable ThinkPad T series: photos

User replaceable parts are clearly labelled and have a QR code to take repairers direct to the support page

It’s easy to replace the SSD but the Thunderbolt ports remain soldered to the motherboard for this generation

The battery is also user replaceable, and Lenovo has gone further and made the trackpad (seen here below centre) replaceable too – just in case the worst happens

Why this matters and what happens next

Whilst it’s great to see such repairability on Lenovo’s biggest-selling laptop range, it’s only the start. “You’ll see this cascading across [our laptop range] as we go through mechanical redesigns,” said Butler.

“We’re effectively on a two-year cadence in general terms. The T series is this first wave. And the reason we started with T series because this is the highest volume product, so we wanted the most impactful platform and start here. We’ll grab those learnings and cascade into the next redesigns as we go through.”

The next step is the L series of laptops, and we hope to see this extend to its ultra-slim X series in the future – along with all of Lenovo’s laptops for home users.

When I separately spoke to iFixit representatives, they were equally enthusiastic about Lenovo embracing repairability. If only, they said, the rest of the industry could follow suit.