Lenovo ThinkPad A475 – AMD A12, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD

The Lenovo ThinkPad A475 refurbished laptop  is a 14-inch business laptop powered by AMD’s A12 APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) for everyday productivity and office applications. This older-generation ThinkPad delivers reliable performance with legendary keyboard quality and durable construction at budget-friendly price points. Ideal for students seeking affordable refurbished laptops and small businesses equipping employees with cost-effective workstations for document-centric tasks.

Key Features & Benefits

• AMD A12 APU with Integrated Graphics: Combines processor and Radeon graphics on a single chip, providing better integrated graphics performance than comparable Intel processors for light photo editing or multimedia presentations.
• Compact 14-Inch Form Factor: Balances screen real estate with portability better than 15-inch models, fitting more easily into backpacks and briefcases while maintaining comfortable viewing for full workdays.
• ThinkPad Keyboard Excellence: Features the renowned ThinkPad typing experience with excellent key travel and tactile feedback, reducing typing fatigue during long document preparation or coding sessions compared to consumer laptop keyboards.
• 256GB SSD Responsiveness: Solid-state storage boots Windows in seconds and launches applications quickly, providing modern performance expectations despite the laptop’s older processor generation.
• Military-Grade Durability: MIL-STD-810G tested construction withstands temperature extremes, vibration, and physical stress better than consumer laptops, making it suitable for field work or frequent travel despite its age.

Technical Specifications

Processor & Performance

• CPU: AMD A12-9800B APU (7th Gen Bristol Ridge)
• Cores/Threads: 4 cores / 4 threads
• Base Clock: 2.7 GHz
• Turbo Boost: Up to 3.6 GHz
• Cache: 2MB L2 cache
• TDP: 15W (configurable TDP)

Graphics

• GPU: AMD Radeon R7 Graphics (integrated)
• Graphics Cores: 512 stream processors
• Graphics Clock: Up to 900 MHz
• Graphics Performance: Better than Intel HD Graphics of similar era

Memory & Storage

• RAM: 8GB DDR4-2400MHz
• RAM Slots: 2x SO-DIMM slots
• Maximum RAM: Expandable to 32GB
• Storage: 256GB M.2 SATA SSD
• Storage Interface: SATA III (6Gbps)
• HDD Bay: 2.5-inch bay supports additional storage

Display

• Screen Size: 14 inches
• Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD) or 1366×768 (HD) depending on configuration
• Panel Type: IPS or TN (varies by configuration)
• Surface: Anti-glare
• Brightness: 200-250 nits (typical)
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Connectivity & Ports

• USB-A: 3x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (one Always On)
• USB-C: 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
• Video Output: HDMI 1.4, USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
• Ethernet: RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet (Intel I219-LM)
• Audio: 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone jack
• Card Reader: 4-in-1 SD card reader
• Docking: Proprietary ThinkPad docking connector

Wireless Connectivity

• WiFi: 802.11ac dual-band (typical configuration)
• WiFi Chip: Realtek or Intel wireless adapter (varies)
• Bluetooth: 4.1 or 4.2
• Optional: 4G LTE WWAN module (specific configurations)

Security Features

• TPM: 2.0 Trusted Platform Module (discrete)
• Fingerprint Reader: Optional (configuration-dependent)
• Kensington Lock Slot: Yes
• Smart Card Reader: Optional on some configurations
• Password Protection: BIOS, HDD, supervisor passwords

Battery & Power

• Battery: 3-cell 24Wh (internal) or 6-cell 48Wh (extended)
• Battery Life: 4-8 hours depending on battery size and usage
• Power Adapter: 65W AC adapter (barrel connector)
• Hot-Swappable: External battery is hot-swappable (on 6-cell models)

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions: 339mm x 236mm x 19.95mm
• Weight: Starting at 1.68 kg (3.7 lbs) with 3-cell battery
• Chassis Material: Glass-fiber reinforced plastic
• Color: Black
• Keyboard: Full-sized chiclet with optional backlight, spill-resistant
• TrackPoint: Yes (red pointing stick with dedicated buttons)
• Touchpad: Multi-touch with physical TrackPoint buttons

Operating System

• Original OS: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
• Windows 11: May not officially support Windows 11 due to CPU requirements
• Linux Support: Excellent (AMD processor compatibility)

Audio & Camera

• Speakers: Stereo speakers (bottom-firing)
• Microphone: Dual-array digital microphones
• Webcam: 720p HD camera
• Privacy: No physical shutter (older generation)

Environmental

• Operating Temperature: 5°C to 35°C
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C
• Humidity: 8% to 95% non-condensing
• MIL-STD-810G: Tested for durability and reliability

Use Cases & Applications

Budget-Conscious Students: College students needing reliable laptops for note-taking, research papers, and online coursework can find refurbished ThinkPad A475 units at significant discounts. The durable construction and quality keyboard justify purchasing older technology when budgets prioritize functionality over cutting-edge specifications.

Small Business Basic Computing: Organizations equipping employees for email, web-based CRM systems, and document preparation benefit from affordable ThinkPad reliability. The A475 handles typical office workflows efficiently while costing considerably less than current-generation business laptops.

Non-Profit Organizations: Charities and community organizations with limited technology budgets can acquire these laptops affordably through refurbished channels. The business-grade construction provides multi-year service life despite the older processor, stretching limited resources further.

Linux Workstations: IT professionals and developers installing Linux distributions appreciate AMD’s strong open-source driver support. The A475 runs Ubuntu, Fedora, or other distributions smoothly, making it an affordable option for programming, web development, or server administration tasks.

Secondary or Travel Laptops: Professionals wanting backup computers or travel-specific laptops to reduce theft risk can purchase used A475 units inexpensively. The ThinkPad durability means even used models often have years of service remaining for occasional use scenarios.

Basic Photo Management: Hobbyist photographers organizing and performing light edits on photos benefit from the AMD Radeon integrated graphics, which handle photo viewing and basic Lightroom adjustments better than Intel HD Graphics of the same era.

Educational Institutions: Schools providing laptops for standardized testing, library lending programs, or classroom sets prioritize durability over performance. The A475’s military-grade construction and serviceability suit institutional environments where multiple users access shared equipment.

Remote Field Work: Technicians, inspectors, or field service workers documenting job sites appreciate the robust build quality for work environments where laptops face temperature variations and physical jostling. The adequate performance handles work order systems and documentation tasks reliably.

Writer’s Workstation: Authors, journalists, and content writers prioritizing keyboard quality over processing power find the ThinkPad typing experience superior for long writing sessions. The 14-inch portability suits coffee shop writing or research library work.

Government & Municipal Use: Budget-constrained government offices can extend equipment lifecycles by deploying A475 units for employees primarily using web-based applications and office suites. The TPM security chip and business-focused features meet basic data protection requirements.

Performance Expectations: The AMD A12-9800B APU provides adequate performance for web browsing, Microsoft Office, email, and basic multitasking. However, this is 2017-era technology—expect slower application launches and processing compared to modern processors. The laptop handles everyday tasks acceptably but struggles with demanding applications like video editing, modern gaming, or heavy data analysis.

The integrated Radeon R7 graphics outperform Intel’s equivalent-era integrated graphics for light photo editing and casual multimedia work. However, don’t expect to run modern games or professional video editing software smoothly. The graphics capability suits business presentations, YouTube streaming, and basic image manipulation.

The 8GB RAM adequately supports Windows 10 and typical office applications but may feel constrained with heavy multitasking or memory-intensive programs. Users frequently working with large spreadsheets, multiple browser windows, or virtual machines should consider upgrading to 16GB—fortunately, the accessible SO-DIMM slots make RAM upgrades straightforward.

Age Considerations: As a 2017-era laptop, the ThinkPad A475 lacks modern conveniences like WiFi 6, Thunderbolt connectivity, or USB Power Delivery charging. The older USB-C port provides data transfer but not video output or charging on most configurations. Battery health varies significantly on used units—verify battery capacity percentage before purchasing refurbished models.

Windows 11 Compatibility: The AMD A12-9800B does not meet Windows 11’s official CPU requirements. Users must continue running Windows 10 (supported until October 2025) or consider Linux distributions as alternatives. This limitation affects long-term software update support and may factor into purchase decisions for users planning multi-year use.

Who This Laptop Is NOT For: Students or professionals needing current software compatibility should invest in newer hardware—some modern applications may not support older processors optimally. Content creators, gamers, data scientists, or anyone running demanding applications will find the A12 APU frustratingly slow. Users prioritizing portability might find 14 inches and 3.7+ pounds heavier than modern ultraportables.

Best Purchase Scenarios: This laptop makes most sense as a refurbished or used purchase at significantly reduced prices (typically $200-400 USD depending on condition and market). At these price points, it offers excellent value for basic computing needs, especially when keyboard quality and build durability matter more than cutting-edge performance. Avoid purchasing at prices approaching new budget laptops—modern Celeron or AMD Ryzen 3 systems often provide better value at similar costs.

Upgrade & Maintenance: The ThinkPad A475’s serviceable design allows easy user upgrades. RAM expansion to 16GB or 32GB significantly improves multitasking performance. The M.2 SSD can be replaced with larger capacity drives (512GB or 1TB). The empty 2.5-inch bay accepts additional SATA SSDs or HDDs for expanded storage. Battery replacement parts remain available through third-party suppliers for units with degraded batteries.

ThinkPad A-Series Context: Lenovo’s A-series represented their AMD-powered alternative to Intel-based T-series ThinkPads. The A475 specifically mirrors the T470 in design and features but uses AMD processors. While AMD has since become competitive with Intel in laptop performance (especially with Ryzen processors), the 7th-generation A12 APU in this model represents older technology that was already entry-to-mid-range when released.

Value Proposition Summary: Purchase this laptop for its keyboard, durability, and serviceability rather than processing power. It remains viable for document-centric work, web browsing, basic programming, and office applications—especially at refurbished prices. However, users should enter with realistic expectations about 2017-era performance and plan for Windows 10’s end-of-support timeline. For those prioritizing typing comfort, build quality, and budget constraints over cutting-edge performance, the ThinkPad A475 still delivers value in 2025’s used laptop market.