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Restored Logic.
Refurbished business hardware
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Lenovo ThinkPad T480 — Libreboot, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, i5-8350U, 16GB, 512GB NVMe, FHD, Backlit, 72Wh 61++
A ThinkPad with the proprietary Lenovo BIOS removed and replaced with Libreboot. It ships with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, and we will install a different distribution instead at no charge if you prefer. It has the 61++ 72Wh extended battery, a 512GB NVMe SSD at 100% health, 16GB of memory, an i5-8350U vPro, a 1920×1080 screen, and a backlit keyboard.
| Boot firmware | Libreboot 26.01rev1 — free-software replacement for the Lenovo BIOS |
| Operating system | Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS (GNOME) installed — or the distribution of your choice, free (see below) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8350U vPro, 4 cores / 4 threads (hyperthreading is off in this firmware), up to 3.6GHz |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4, two slots — nothing soldered, takes up to 64GB |
| Storage | SK hynix 512GB NVMe SSD (PC711) — 100% health (0% of rated life used), 0 media errors |
| Battery | 61++ 72Wh extended pack at 92% health, plus the 24Wh internal at 83% |
| Display | 14" 1920 × 1080 FHD, non-touch |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Wireless | Intel Wireless-AC 8265 WiFi + Bluetooth |
| Ports | Two USB-C, both charge and both drive a display (USB data on the non-Thunderbolt one), two USB-A, HDMI, full-size RJ-45 ethernet, 3.5mm, SD reader |
| Other | Backlit keyboard, TrackPoint, ThinkShutter camera cover, fingerprint reader (hardware present; see below) |
| Charging | USB-C Power Delivery: 65W is best for this configuration, 45W is the bare minimum — no charger included |
| Model number | 20L50054US |
Every laptop runs firmware before the operating system loads. On a normal ThinkPad that firmware is Lenovo’s, it is closed, and you cannot inspect or change it. This machine runs Libreboot instead — free software you can read, build and replace yourself.
- The Intel Management Engine is neutered. The ME is a separate processor inside the chipset that normally runs its own code with deep access to the system, whatever OS you install. Here it is stripped and disabled.
- Intel Boot Guard is disabled. Boot Guard is what normally locks the machine to firmware signed by the manufacturer. With it off, the boot firmware is genuinely yours.
- No vendor lock-in. No whitelist on WiFi cards, no signed-firmware requirement, no setting you are not allowed to change.
It ships with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS installed. If you would rather have another distribution, message us after you buy and we will install it, test it and ship it the same way, at no charge. We will try to accommodate any distro request. Some popular options are below:
- Trisquel — the FSF-endorsed, fully free distribution with the linux-libre kernel (see the note below).
- Debian — stable and conservative.
- Linux Mint — the easiest switch from Windows.
- Ubuntu — the most widely used, with the most help online; what it ships with.
- Fedora — newer software on a clean GNOME desktop.
Would you like Trisquel? Please message us: Trisquel needs a different WiFi card for wireless, and we will check whether we have WiFi cards in stock.
- Installed Libreboot 26.01rev1 with an external hardware programmer, and verified the written firmware byte-for-byte against the image. The original Lenovo firmware is backed up.
- Installed Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS from verified media onto a freshly wiped drive. Libreboot starts it directly, including after kernel updates. It arrives with a fresh account whose temporary password expires at your first login, so you set your own.
- Measured both batteries from the hardware’s own gauges: the 61++ holds 73.3Wh of its 79.8Wh design rating (92%), the internal 83%.
- Tested: both USB-C ports (charging and display), suspend/resume, WiFi, Bluetooth, the function keys and keyboard backlight. Battery and drive figures above are what the hardware reports, not estimates.
Good. Normal wear from use, and scuffs and smudges on the lid and bottom cover (shown in the photos). No cracks, firm hinges, a clear screen and a keyboard that works correctly. The photos are of the exact machine you will receive, including the extended battery fitted, shot close up rather than at a flattering angle.
This has the 61++ — the largest battery Lenovo made for the T480. Together with the internal battery that is about 96Wh of design capacity: several times what the internal gives you on its own. The 61++ is at 92% of its design capacity and the internal at 83%.
The 61++ is the extended pack, so it sits proud of the back of the chassis and props the keyboard at a slight angle — which a lot of people prefer to type on. It is visible in the photos. If you want the thinnest possible laptop, a standard pack drops straight in.
You can also hot-swap it. Lenovo’s Power Bridge design means the internal battery keeps the machine running while you change the external one.
It does not do Thunderbolt. Libreboot does not support Thunderbolt on this model. Both USB-C ports charge the laptop and drive a display; USB data works on the non-Thunderbolt port only (the one without the lightning-bolt icon).
4 cores / 4 threads. The i5-8350U normally runs 8 threads; this firmware keeps hyperthreading off, a deliberate security choice. Everyday use is unaffected; heavy multi-threaded work runs somewhat slower.
The fingerprint reader is not set up. The hardware is there, but the T480’s sensor is not officially supported by the standard Linux fingerprint software. There are community methods that get this sensor working on many Linux machines, so it is worth trying if you want it; we do not set it up or guarantee it.
No charger is included. It charges over USB-C: a 65W USB-C Power Delivery charger is best for this configuration (with the 61++ fitted). 45W is the bare minimum: it works, but charges slowly and can struggle to keep up under load.
No TPM and no hibernate. The TPM is disabled in this firmware. Suspend to RAM works; hibernate to disk is not configured.
The laptop with its extended battery fitted. No charger. No original box, no manuals, no dock. A card with the login details.
Questions before you buy? Message us through eBay. We would rather answer three questions than take one return. If you are new to Libreboot, ask — we would rather you buy this knowing exactly what it is.