Lenovo ThinkPad T470
It can’t run Windows 11 officially, but it can stay useful for years with Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex.
Windows 11
Not supportedIts 6th- and 7th-gen Intel processors aren’t on Microsoft’s supported list.
Linux
Runs wellLenovo doesn’t certify it for Linux, but mainstream distributions run on it. Try it from a live USB first to check Wi-Fi, sleep and the fingerprint reader before you install.
ChromeOS Flex
CertifiedCertified by Google, with ChromeOS Flex support until 2028.
Our recommendation
Enroll in Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (free for most people) to stay safe until October 12, 2027, then move to Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex.
Tech specs
| Released | 2017 · Laptop |
|---|---|
| Processor | 6th gen: Intel Core i5-6200U, i5-6300U, i7-6500U, i7-6600U. 7th gen: Intel Core i3-7100U, i5-7200U, i5-7300U, i7-7500U, i7-7600U |
| Generation | Intel 6th/7th gen |
| Memory | 2 slots, DDR4-2400, up to 32 GB |
| Storage | One drive: either a 2.5-inch SATA drive or an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (PCIe 3.0 x2), depending on configuration |
| Security chip | TPM 1.2 or 2.0, depending on configuration |
Upgrades worth making
If it still has a hard drive, swapping it for a 2.5-inch SATA SSD is the biggest improvement. Two memory slots make 16 GB an easy upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Lenovo ThinkPad T470 run Windows 11?
It can’t run Windows 11 officially, but it can stay useful for years with Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex. Its 6th- and 7th-gen Intel processors aren’t on Microsoft’s supported list.
Can the Lenovo ThinkPad T470 run Linux?
Runs well. Lenovo doesn’t certify it for Linux, but mainstream distributions run on it. Try it from a live USB first to check Wi-Fi, sleep and the fingerprint reader before you install.
Does ChromeOS Flex work on the Lenovo ThinkPad T470?
Certified by Google, with ChromeOS Flex support until 2028.
How much memory can the Lenovo ThinkPad T470 take?
2 slots, DDR4-2400, up to 32 GB.
What storage does the Lenovo ThinkPad T470 use?
One drive: either a 2.5-inch SATA drive or an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (PCIe 3.0 x2), depending on configuration.