Lenovo ThinkPad E560 – disassembly, internal photos and upgrade options

The Lenovo ThinkPad E560 is a long-awaited successor to the E550 that we’ve reviewed earlier this year. We were somewhat disappointed with the lack of M.2 SSD slot, so let’s find out if the OEM fixed that.

Removing the service cover

Removing the service lid is relatively easy – there are only three screws holding it in place. We were pleasantly surprised to see what’s underneath it – the HDD and RAM slots (in our case 2 x 8GB). Keeping this in mind, we could say that upgrading the notebook doesn’t require a lot of effort and is a fairly easy task. The hard disc is held in place by four screws and in order for it to operate better and more quietly – a couple of softening plates are placed beneath it (as you can see from the photos below).

Removing the main cover

The main cover is located around the aforementioned one and removing it isn’t a big hassle since it is held still by only 1 screw. Sadly, we were very disappointed from what we saw inside, due to the lack of M.2 slot, which is definitely a huge drawback for the model. However, if you want to install an SDD or extra storage space for your data you could always remove the DVD drive and switch it with an extra 2.5-inch HDD.

The main upgradable components in the notebook are:

• HDD: HGST HTS541010A7E630 (1TB, 5400 RPM)
• Wi-Fi: Intel 8260NGW
• Battery: SANYO Energy with 48Wh (4400 mAh) capacity

Expect our full review on ThinkPad E560 in the near future, where you’ll be able to find a lot of information about the construction, display, performance and temperatures of the machine.

Specs sheet