Dell Latitude 5420 14" Vs Dell Latitude 7390 13"

The Dell Latitude 5420 14 and the Dell Latitude 7390 13 are business-oriented laptops from Dell's Latitude series, designed for productivity and reliability. The Latitude 5420, released in early 2021, features a 14-inch display, while the Latitude 7390, launched in 2018, offers a more compact 13.3-inch form factor. Both devices run on the Windows operating system, but the 5420 benefits from a newer generation of internal components and updated connectivity standards.

When considering the longevity of these devices, their release timelines and potential for ongoing software support are key factors. The Dell Latitude 5420, released in early 2021, benefits from a more recent launch date, suggesting a longer period of official operating system updates and security patches compared to the Latitude 7390, which debuted in 2018.

• Software Support: The Latitude 5420 ships with Windows 10 Pro and is upgradeable to Windows 11 Pro, ensuring several more years of software support and access to the latest features. The Latitude 7390, while running Windows 10 Pro, is older, meaning its end-of-life for major OS updates will arrive sooner.
• Repairability: The Latitude 5420 is noted for its relatively straightforward repair process, with easily accessible components like RAM and SSD once the back panel is removed. The CPU, however, is soldered to the motherboard. The Latitude 7390 does not feature an easily accessible maintenance hatch, and its battery is not externally removable.
• Expected Lifespan: Both models are built for business use, implying a robust construction. However, the newer components and longer software support window of the 5420 generally translate to a longer practical lifespan for daily use.

The performance capabilities of these two Latitude models reflect their respective generations, impacting how smoothly they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processor Capabilities: The Latitude 5420 is equipped with 11th Generation Intel Core processors, providing robust performance for typical business applications and multitasking. Users can expect a smooth and responsive experience, even with several applications running simultaneously. The Latitude 7390, featuring 8th Generation Intel Core processors, offers speedy performance for its time and can handle multitasking effectively, though it may show limitations with more intensive modern software.
• Memory and Storage: The Latitude 5420 supports DDR4 3200 MHz RAM, configurable up to 64GB across two SODIMM slots, and utilizes M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs for fast data access and application loading. The Latitude 7390 uses DDR4 2400 MHz RAM, typically up to 16GB, and offers M.2 SATA SSD storage, which provides good speed but is generally slower than NVMe.
• Battery Behavior: The Latitude 5420, with its 42 Whr or 63 Whr battery options, is reported to offer all-day battery life, with some configurations lasting through two workdays on a single charge. It also supports fast charging. The Latitude 7390, available with 45Whr or 60Whr batteries, also provides long battery life, often exceeding 10 hours in video streaming tests with the larger battery.

The visual experience on these laptops is influenced by their display technology, resolution, and brightness levels, catering to different user preferences and working environments.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Latitude 5420 and 7390 feature IPS panels with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, offering comfortable viewing angles. The 5420 has a 14-inch display, while the 7390 has a 13.3-inch display, making the 7390 slightly more compact.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Latitude 5420 offers various brightness options, ranging from 220 nits to 400 nits for higher-end FHD panels, with some configurations averaging around 281-311 nits. The 7390 typically provides around 286 nits of brightness, with some 2-in-1 models reaching 307 nits. Both displays feature an anti-glare coating, which is beneficial for reducing reflections in varied lighting conditions.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both models feature a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, which is suitable for general productivity tasks and media consumption. Neither is designed for high-refresh-rate gaming or professional video editing that demands extremely fluid motion.

For communication and media consumption, the audio-visual components of these laptops present some differences, particularly in camera quality and speaker output.

• Camera System: The Latitude 5420 includes a 720p HD RGB camera, with some configurations offering an IR camera for facial recognition via Windows Hello. The Latitude 7390 also features an HD webcam, and many models include an IR camera for facial recognition. User reports suggest the 7390's camera captures average-brightness, slightly soft-focus shots.
• Microphone Quality: The Latitude 5420 is equipped with dual-array microphones, designed to improve clarity during calls and recordings. Specific details on the 7390's microphone quality are less prominent in reviews, but it includes standard integrated microphones for communication.
• Speaker Output: The Latitude 5420 features stereo speakers with Realtek Waves MaxxAudio Pro, described by users as clear and crisp with a hint of bass, comparable to quality external Bluetooth speakers. In contrast, the speakers on the Latitude 7390 have been noted as "shoddy" or offering "slim sound" by some reviewers.