If your Lenovo ThinkPad X280 has a broken screen, will not charge, runs hot or will not start, we can diagnose and repair it at our Bermondsey workshop. The Lenovo ThinkPad X280 is a 2018 laptop with a 12.5-inch screen, identified by machine types 20KE, 20KF. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Machine types
- 20KE, 20KF
- Released
- 2018
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 12.5-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, replaceable
- Memory
- Soldered
What we repair on the Lenovo ThinkPad X280
Screen replacement
A broken 12.5-inch screen is replaced with a panel of the same resolution and finish. We check the display cable while the lid is open.
Price confirmed before work starts
SSD and storage upgrade
The Lenovo ThinkPad X280 takes an M.2 SSD. We clone the existing drive to a larger one so Windows, programs and files carry over unchanged.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory
Memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad X280 is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
Windows repair and reinstall
The Lenovo ThinkPad X280 meets Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements in most configurations. We upgrade from Windows 10, which reached end of support in October 2025, or reinstall Windows 11 cleanly with your files kept.
Battery replacement
A new internal battery is fitted and tested through a full charge and discharge. At this age, short runtime and sudden shutdowns usually point to a worn battery and not a board fault.
Price confirmed before work starts
Keyboard and trackpad repair
The keyboard is a separate part on most ThinkPads and is replaced without disturbing the rest of the machine. Trackpad and TrackPoint buttons are replaced the same way.
Charging port and power repair
Charging is over USB-C. A loose or dead port is replaced where it is a separate part, or repaired on the motherboard where it is soldered.
We also carry out motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Lenovo ThinkPad X280, along with USB, HDMI and audio port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement, webcam and speaker faults, BIOS password removal with proof of ownership and data transfer to a new machine.
Known issues with the ThinkPad X Series and X1 range
- Memory is soldered on the X1 and recent X-series machines, so it is fixed at purchase.
- USB-C charging port wear is the board repair we see most on these.
- A forgotten supervisor password is stored in a security chip and cannot be reset from software.
Data recovery from the Lenovo ThinkPad X280
The SSD in the Lenovo ThinkPad X280 can be removed and imaged on our own equipment, so files can usually be recovered even when the machine will not start.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Lenovo ThinkPad X280 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Lenovo ThinkPad X Series and X1 range are the older Lenovo ThinkPad X270 (2017). Memory differs: soldered on the Lenovo ThinkPad X280, SODIMM slots on the Lenovo ThinkPad X270. Storage differs too: M.2 SSD, replaceable on the Lenovo ThinkPad X280, 2.5-inch SATA drive on the Lenovo ThinkPad X270. It is the most recent 12.5-inch model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Lenovo ThinkPad X280 be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced with a larger M.2 drive. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My Lenovo ThinkPad X280 will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
Where do I find the model number on my laptop?
The base label shows the model name and a machine type, four characters such as 20W0 or 82H8. For this model, look for 20KE or 20KF.
Can the Lenovo ThinkPad X280 run Windows 11?
Yes, in most configurations.