Laptop has IntelME but there appears to be no real functionality?

[shinomen]

I know that if a device has vPro/MEBx etc. that it can be configured for CIRA for remote control etc. However, I have a laptop that does not have vPro or MEBx but it does have IntelME functionality. I was clued into this because the Lenovo software update system had me install a new IntelME driver. Also on this particular laptop when I press Ctrl+P it says it's entering the Intel ME but then just proceeds to boot to windows.
I didn't specifically see anything in the bios that referenced Intel ME (that I recall or could find anyway). So what is the point of the IntelME on a system like that? Is it really just that it has the 'potential' for real Management but maybe that model is lacking another component that makes that work? Or is there really something that can be done with this version of IntelME?

This is an older laptop from Lenovo, model 20L5S1S000

I can't find specific specs for this model at psref.lenovo.com but this site lists specs:
https://www.thepcwholesale.com/product/lenovo-thinkpad-t480-core-i5-8250u-1-6ghz-512gb-ssd-8gb-14-1920x1080-bt-win10-webcam-black-fp-reader/?

This is the Lenovo site for the laptop but it doesn't bring up specs
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpadt/thinkpad-t480/22tp2tt4800?

[si458]

If u install meshagent and check the details tab, does it actually show an intel amt section?
Is it intel amt standard or sm? That's not real amt I'm afraid

[shinomen]

No Intel AMT tab. So.....I'm guessing that maybe they have part of what is needed if there is an Intel ME driver and CTRL+P says entering Intel ME, but ultimately no MEBx or other component that would fulfill the full AMT.
It just seems weird so I thought maybe it allowed some type of management even if it wasn't the full AMT remote access.