Kinda offtopic, but this is a bit misleading. The T4x0s series, for instance, makes it very difficult to access anything -- and the T series is known as one of the good ones!
Also, Thinkpads all have a BIOS whitelist that prevents you from actually using the hardware you just easily installed.
Wow, wouldn't have guessed. Haven't played with a T4x0s. I have a T4x0p (T440p) and it's extremely easy to access everything. But I just looked at some Youtube videos and the 's' is indeed a world of difference from the 'p'.
Also, Thinkpads all have a BIOS whitelist that prevents you from actually using the hardware you just easily installed.