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ThinkPad E485 (14"FHD/Ryzen 5/8GB DDR4/128GB NVMe) $680.74; E585 (15.6"FHD/Ryzen 7/8GB DDR4/128GB+1TB) $841.10 @ Lenovo AU + CR

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AMD10
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TL;DR:

Thinkpad E485 and E585

14" IPS FHD, Ryzen 5 2500U, 8GB (4+4) 2400 MHz DDR4 Dual Channel RAM, 128GB NVMe
$680.74 after promo code and CR 12% cashback.

14" IPS FHD, Ryzen 5 2500U, 8GB (4+4) DDR4 Dual Channel RAM, 256GB NVMe
$720.83 after promo code and CR 12% cashback. (<- Best value pick for E485)

15.6" IPS FHD, Ryzen 7 2700U, 8GB (4+4) 2400 MHz DDR4 Dual Channel RAM, 128GB NVMe + 1TB HDD
$841.10 after promo code and CR 12% cashback.

If you are purchasing or have purchased, when you receive(d) your machine, it is recommended that you update all the firmware/BIOS and related services to the latest version to fix/iron out bugs and improve usage experience.


EDIT (17/10): CashRewards is currently having 12% cashback rate for Lenovo AU, and the AMD10 promo is INCLUDED (exclude GST amount, and confirmed with TA).
See https://www.cashrewards.com.au/coupons/get-up-to-25-off-sele… , and I'll quote TA's tips on using CR and tracking:

A small education piece if I may - please ensure your last click before purchase is from Cashrewards. Simply click Shop Now and complete your purchase without leaving the Lenovo site. A lot of untracked claims come from the fact members have other tabs open and/or are using Google or comparison sites to review their product/s before purchase. All cashback/rewards sites work off a simple principle - last click. The winning affiliate is always the one that receives the last click. Also, please turn off any AdBlock/uBlock/Ghostery as well as Safari (mobile and/or desktop) Cross-Site Tracking.

I recommend you to customise the configuration you want, save into cart, and then go to CashRewards' Lenovo Webpage and Access the Link, and then pay.


Lenovo Thinkpad Ryzen deal again, similar to the previous ones (Extra 10% off limited time sale for the new Thinkpad E-series, E485 and E585, with Ryzen Mobile APUs using coupon code AMD10, which is automatically activated upon "CUSTOMIZE", that's how the "button" is spelled on the website).

Very slightly higher price ($9) than the previous deal for the base config, however the SSD upgrade cost from 128GB to 256GB is $45 cheaper than previous.


Brief spec of the 14" E485, and storage options:

  • AMD Ryzen™ 5 2500U Quad-Core (4 Cores 8 Threads, 2 GHz base frequency, 3.6 GHz boost)
  • Integrated AMD Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics
  • 14.0" FHD IPS (1920x1080) AntiGlare Display
  • 8GB(4+4) DDR4 2400MHz Memory
  • Windows 10 Home 64-bit
  • WiFi Qualcomm QCNFA435AC, 1x1 + Bluetooth 4.1
  • 2 x USB 3.1 (1 x AlwaysOn), 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1x HDMI, Ethernet (RJ45), MicroSD, Combo audio/mic jack
  • Dimensions (W x D x H) 329 x 242 x 21.9 mm
  • Starting at 1.75 kg

The base config with "128GB Solid State Drive PCIe OPAL2.0 M.2 2242 (16GT/s)":
$764.10, 12% cashback (excl GST) is $83.36.
$680.74 after cashback.

Upgrading to "256GB Solid State Drive PCIe OPAL2.0 M.2 2280 (16GT/s)":
$809.10 ($45 more, even though it lists as $50 due the 10% AMD10 discounts).
An acceptable price and less hassle than DIY upgrade.
12% cashback (excl GST) is $88.27.
$720.83 after cashback.

Higher storage capacity options:
The E485 comes with an internal 7mm (Thanks N1NJ4W4RR10R) 2.5 SATA3 bay, which you may DIY to add either extra SATA SSD drive, or a HDD (E.g. 1TB HDD from $59 if you can pick up, staticice, or eBay delivered from $61.05 using P5OFF. Of course, as an option Lenovo can also add it for you for an exorbitant amount of your hard earn cash.) See this comment here for a video link that shows how to access the internal 2.5 SATA3 bay.


The 15.6" E585 is worth a consideration as well, thanks to CashRewards' 12% cashback rate.
https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-edge/…
944.10 after promo code, 12% cashback (excl GST) is $102.99.
$841.10 after promo code and CR 12% cashback.

  • AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Quad-Core (4 Cores 8 Threads, 2.2 GHz base frequency, 3.8 GHz boost)
  • Integrated AMD Radeon™ Vega 10 Graphics
  • 15.6" FHD IPS (1920x1080) AntiGlare Display
  • 8GB(4+4) DDR4 2400MHz Memory
  • 128GB Solid State Drive PCIe OPAL2.0 M.2 2242 (Upgrade option to 256GB available for extra $45), AND
  • 1TB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm, 2.5", SATA3
  • Windows 10 Home 64-bit
  • WiFi Qualcomm QCNFA435AC, 1x1 + Bluetooth 4.1
  • 2 x USB 3.1 (1 x AlwaysOn), 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1x HDMI, Ethernet (RJ45), MicroSD, Combo audio/mic jack
  • Dimensions (W x D x H) 369 x 252 x 19.95 mm
  • Starting at 2.1 kg

Memory upgrade options:
For most usage scenarios for the E485 with 2500U, 8GB RAM should be sufficient, if you are in scenarios requiring 16GB RAM, it is more likely that you should be looking into laptops that are more powerful than this portable all-rounder (probably above this price category as well), e.g. the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 that often goes on sale at just below $1000.

But if you really want to upgrade to 16GB (8+8) RAM, the Lenovo factory upgrade option of extra $112.51 is fair, considering RAM market prices are still high. If you don't mind DIY, 16GB 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM can be bought for $181.50 delivered (at the time of posting) over at Newegg, then swap and sell the 8GB (4+4) RAM to recuperate some cost. Please do note that it is current forecasted that DRAM prices will drop by ~5% by the end of the year. as pointed out by DonWilson below, you can switch the memory config to single stick 8GB RAM, and then purchase the other 8GB stick later when price drops later this year. (Or if you want it now, from $91.30 delivered from Newegg , or locally in Australia from $99 pick up depending on your location).

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closed Comments

  • -1

    So enticing, slap extra 8gb and a Graphic card that can play medium games, Iwill throw in extra $300

    • +2

      lol, I don't think a graphics card can be added to it (will be pretty good if possible).

  • Man, I wish this existed literally 13 hours ago before I plopped $1300 for a Dell G5.

    All I'm going to play is indie games. This would of sufficed in a much slimmer profile.

    • Dell G5 is still a nice machine and $1300 is a pretty good/fair price. It'll be able to handle more taxing titles if you do decide to play more games in the coming years.

      If you still want to go with the E485, have a chat with the Dell customer service, from memory and reading other people's experience, they are quite lenient in cancelling an order as long as it hasn't been shipped (or maybe even after dispatchment).

      • Thanks for the tip but….
        The thing is I also ordered a 120hz screen from eBay because the stock IPS screen is pretty poor.

        • Ah, the E485's USB-C does say it supports video out, although I'm not sure if it'll be compatible with USB-C to DisplayPort output for 120Hz support. So may require to ask Lenovo to see if that's supported, slightly more hassle.

          And maybe if the eBay seller is happy to cancel order if not yet shipped…

          Sorry not much help here, but again, end of the day G5 at $1300 (especially if it's the one on eBay 20% off atm) is still a good price. Hope you'll be happy with your purchase =)

    • If both your laptop and screen have not been dispatched it's possible to simply contact the eBay seller and Dell to cancel & refund, if they have then you might have change of mind policy as long as you don't open it but then you'll have to pay for return postage.

  • Everyday Lenovo throws salt to my 1.2k E480 wound. Life's hard man.

    • First world problems.

    • Battery life is better on e480 I hear?

    • Oof.

      At that price you coulda picked up the A series model they've got (maybe a bit more).

      • I try to make myself feel better knowning it came with 512GB SSD, Backlit KB, AMD Radeon 550x, better battery and an unsubstantiated opinion that Intel cpu is better than amd…. but then i look at my bank account :'(

        • Eh, you're someone fine. Backlit keyboard is awesome QoL, 512gb SSD is very nice and the 550 TMK will be better then vega graphics.

          Though $500…yeah, I can feel that pain.

          • +1

            @N1NJ4W4RR10R: I'd say it's more like 100-200 overpriced considering the parts. oh well, life goes on. how about this shitty melbourne weather rn

            • @ayad: Wouldn't know, in the middle of NSW… weather's been rough here but I can't say I mind if it brings rain!

  • I held out on the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 until i pulled the trigger, yesterday afternoon. The only thing I'm worried about is the screen as many others have mentioned, it's not that great. Other than that I'm looking forward to a laptop upgrade since my hp dv6.

    • You can upgrade the screen yourself,

      n156hhe-ga1,FullHD, 120hz, 94% gamut, much brighter. According to Reddit/YouTube comments.

      • Haha no thanks, I'll live.

  • crappy wifi. throttled cpu.
    not a bad deal overall, this is a perfect form factor 14" 1.7 kg, but keep in mind that you're stuck with a cpu that could use a lot of improvement.

    • What’s wrong with Broadcom Wi-Fi 5?

      • well, crappy it is

  • The CPU can be upped to the Ryzen 7 2700U for $100 which I'd say is worth it.

    Changing the RAM from 4+4GB to single 8GB is a must so you can easily add your own extra later.

    Ability to add a 2.5" storage drive is a great option.

    Great screen for the price.

    But the single core performance and crappy battery life (only 45Wh battery) are kind of a deal killer for me.

    Damn good value for someone though.

    • +1

      The 2700U likely will get throttling in the 14" form factor, and consequentially the performance level might just be similar to the 2500U. But yea, the option is there for $100 more for people that prefer the 2700U.

      Good point about the memory, I'll edit the initial post.

  • Im so tempted to buy but some reviewers on youtube have reported blue screens of death.
    Might just hold off a while longer though i really need to upgrade my current laptop as it just cant even do basic youtube videos anymore.

    • Such as? I haven't seen anything to indicate a problem with this.

    • Deal runs off tomorrow.

    • Generally blue screens of death shouldn't be that common and if it does persistently happen, then it is more likely related to hardware issues rather than the whole line-up. Some people also seems to get a better usage experience by updating the BIOS/Firmwares and doing fresh Windows installs. Although I haven't had any hand-on experience with this model but more reading from others' experiences online also.

      If you are worried I guess can always opt for the 2Year On-site Next Business Day Warranty ($86.90), and with CashRewards' special 12% cashback rate, it is either bonus 2Y On-site NBD warranty, or further discount to make the deal sweeter :D

  • This deal could be so amazing if it wasn't for the short battery life D:

    • exactly. 45WH come on! how big a battery do you need AMD

    • I've found battery life is fine when running libre writer (sorta like word but free) and/or web browsing. Got about 7-8 hours out before I needed to plug it in.

      Probably not phenomenal…but $760? You're other options at this price aren't exactly optimal!

  • The hard drive is apparently 7mm by the way.

    • +1

      Thanks, I'll put it in the description =)

  • QCA QCNFA435AC with Bluetooth Version 4.1

    I have a requirement from my daughter's school "Bluetooth LE" — is the above adapter on this E485 sufficient?

  • E485 with 2500u or E480 with 8250u if i need longer battery life, lower weight?

    • +1

      I don't know E480's weight on top of my mind, but from memory the E480 probably had slight better battery life in same usage scenarios.

      • Do you think the difference is worth an extra $120?

        • +1

          It'll depend on your usage/travel type, like whether you want to use it on the road/travel.

          Looking at some comments above, depending on what applications are used and brightness settings, you might get ~3-7hours battery life from E485.

          Might be sufficient if you can find powerpoint access every now and then (eg uni student), but might not be sufficient if you are planning to use it over flights/travels.

          I personally use a Surface Pro 4 (generally can get 3-6 hours battery life depending on applications and screen brightness), and it is sufficient for general travel over the course of a day and finding PowerPoint access/conferences use etc. However it doesn't last a flight when travelling anywhere overseas that's more than ~5-6 hrs.

          (maybe others who have bought an E485/480 can share experience?)

          • @zrmx: Thank you so much <3

            • +1

              @ayyofam: You're welcome. Hope that helps =)

  • +1

    12% CR?!?!? I ordered one yesterday!

    • +1

      Hmm, maybe contact Lenovo customer service to see if you can cancel the order from yesterday? There are previous comments that said they can cancel and you make reorder.

      • Thanks, but I ended up asking - OK, begging - CR to 'backdate' but they wouldn't.
        I didn't cancel - it's for my Mum and she'll kill me for delaying even more after asking me so many times to get her one!

        • lol, then i guess it is a worthy trade to save your life first. Don't forget to update the softwares/setup for her first! (Hope you don't run into this kind of situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhs218S5BSE xD)

          Cheers.

          • @zrmx: That never happens! lol

  • Does the e485 have a backlit keyboard

    • I don't think it does.

    • No. I think you can get one as a spare part though.

      • I think I've read somewhere on the Lenovo support forums that the backlit keyboard parts may only be compatible as far as the keyboard will work, but not the backlit functions.

        (and hope you've had some luck cancelling your previous day's order!)

  • Is anybody having any weird buzzing noise issues, suspecting it might be the fans from the E485? Tried getting a replacement but the buzzing is still there!

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