Lenovo ThinkPad E490

Refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad E490 — Versatile 14-Inch Business Laptop

The refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad E490 is a well-rounded 14-inch business laptop that brings ThinkPad reliability, a proven keyboard and a fast SSD into an accessible mid-range package. Powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U processor with 8GB or 16GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB or 256GB SSD, it handles everyday professional productivity — office applications, video calls, multi-tab browsing and document management — reliably and efficiently. Sold by Primo Technology in certified refurbished condition, graded Good or Excellent — select your grade above — with a 14-month warranty and free UK delivery (1-2 working days for UK mainland).

Verified Key Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i5-8265U, 8th Gen, quad-core, up to 3.9GHz
• Display: 14.0″ HD (1366×768)
• Keyboard: English QWERTY
• RAM: 8GB or 16GB DDR4 (2x SO-DIMM, upgradeable to 32GB)
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB SSD
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
• Ports: 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4, RJ-45 Ethernet, microSD card reader, headphone jack
• Camera: 720p HD
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0 (configuration-dependent)
• Battery: 45Wh, Rapid Charge to 80% in approximately 1 hour via 65W adapter
• Build: MIL-STD-810G certified
• Weight: From 1.75kg
• Security: TPM 2.0
• Operating System: Windows 11
• Warranty: 14 months

ThinkPad Reliability with Upgradeable RAM

The refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad E490 has two accessible SO-DIMM slots supporting upgrades up to 32GB DDR4 — giving genuine long-term flexibility. Choose 8GB of RAM for straightforward everyday use, or step up to 16GB for heavier multitasking, paired with a 128GB or 256GB SSD depending on how much local storage you need. The Intel Core i5-8265U quad-core processor handles all standard professional tasks reliably, and the fast SSD provides quick boot times and responsive file access. Unlike many laptops in this class, the two SO-DIMM slots are accessible, meaning RAM can be upgraded by a technician later if your needs change — a genuine practical advantage over increasingly common soldered-memory designs.

ThinkPad Keyboard and Build Quality

The E490 inherits Lenovo’s famous ThinkPad keyboard — 6-row and spill-resistant. MIL-STD-810G certification covers drops, dust, humidity and extreme temperatures, and a TPM 2.0 chip gives IT teams a hardware root of trust for encryption and credential storage.

Wired Ethernet and Full Connectivity

The ThinkPad E490 features a built-in RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet port. HDMI 1.4 enables direct monitor connection. USB-C with DisplayPort supports modern monitor connections and USB-C charging. A 45Wh battery with Rapid Charge brings the battery to 80% in approximately one hour when time is short between meetings. The combination of wired Ethernet, USB-C and legacy USB 2.0 in one machine means buyers rarely need to carry a bag of adapters between older and newer meeting rooms, and the microSD card reader is a practical extra for anyone who regularly transfers photos or files directly from a camera or memory card.

Who Is This For?

Yes — the refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad E490 is an excellent choice for office professionals who want ThinkPad keyboard quality and wired Ethernet in a practical 14-inch laptop, users who want upgradeable RAM, and anyone who wants reliable business-grade hardware with TPM 2.0 security at an accessible price.

Not ideal for: gaming or 3D design work. Running lots of apps at once? Choose a 16GB option above.

Typical Use Cases

This configuration suits office administration and small business use where a stable wired network connection matters, IT departments that value genuinely upgradeable RAM and TPM 2.0 security for company data, and buyers who want the classic ThinkPad keyboard experience at a mid-range price. The choice of 8GB or 16GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage lets buyers match the configuration to lighter or heavier everyday workloads.

Refurbished vs New at This Price Point

Lenovo has moved on to newer ThinkPad E-series generations, and the E490 is no longer sold new — there is no genuine current equivalent to compare directly. Why pay £££ for new? A current entry-level business laptop with built-in Ethernet, upgradeable RAM and TPM 2.0 costs substantially more than this certified refurbished unit. Buying refurbished from Primo Technology gets you genuine ThinkPad build quality and keyboard comfort, tested and warrantied, at one of the more accessible prices in our Lenovo ThinkPad range, with the added benefit of genuinely upgradeable RAM that many current entry-level laptops no longer offer.

Our 30-Point Quality Inspection, Warranty and Returns

Every laptop sold by Primo Technology passes our 30-point inspection by in-house technicians. We test processor performance, RAM stability, SSD health, minimum tested battery health of 80% of original design capacity, display quality, keyboard and trackpad function, all ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, webcam and overall system stability. Any component that does not meet our standards is repaired or replaced before sale. Orders placed before 9am Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day, arriving in 1-2 working days for UK mainland (3-5 working days for the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and remote postcodes). Every unit is backed by a 14-month warranty, and if anything isn’t right, our refund policy covers you.

What’s in the Box

• Refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad E490
• Compatible USB-C 65W charger with UK plug included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RAM upgradeable? Yes — the ThinkPad E490 has two SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 32GB DDR4.

Does it have a wired Ethernet port? Yes — full RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet is built in.

Does it support external monitors? Yes — via USB-C (DisplayPort) and HDMI 1.4 simultaneously.

What’s the difference between the 8GB and 16GB versions? Multitasking headroom only — 16GB suits buyers who keep many applications and browser tabs open at once, while 8GB suits straightforward everyday use.

What’s the difference between the 128GB and 256GB versions? Storage capacity only — choose 256GB if you need more local storage for files and applications.

What’s the difference between the Good and Excellent grades? Both are fully tested and certified refurbished — Excellent units show minimal to no visible wear, while Good units may show light cosmetic wear from previous use, with identical performance and the same 14-month warranty either way.

What’s the battery health on this laptop? Every unit meets a minimum tested battery health of 80% of original design capacity, confirmed as part of our 30-point inspection.

What charger is included? A compatible USB-C 65W charger with UK plug is included with every order.

How long does delivery take? UK mainland orders arrive in 1-2 working days after dispatch, with orders placed before 9am Monday to Friday dispatched the same day. Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and remote postcodes take 3-5 working days.

Does it come with Windows 11? Yes — all Primo Technology refurbished laptops are supplied with a genuine licensed copy of Windows 11.

Related Products and Helpful Guides

Looking for similar Lenovo business laptops? Browse the Lenovo ThinkPad T495s, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s, or the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 1.

You can also explore our full range of refurbished Lenovo ThinkPads, or browse all Business Laptops.

For more guidance, read our Best Refurbished Lenovo ThinkPads guide, our Best Refurbished Laptops for Working From Home guide, or our guide on how to choose a refurbished laptop.

About Primo Technology

Primo Technology is one of the UK’s leading certified refurbished laptop retailers based in the UK. We offer a 14-month warranty — one of the longest in the UK refurbished market. Every unit is inspected and tested by our in-house technicians before sale. Contact us with any questions before or after purchase.