Dell Latitude 5420 14" Vs Lenovo ThinkPad L390 13"

Dell Latitude 5420 14"
Dell Latitude 5420 14"
Starting at

Refurbished price:263.52

Versus €986.84 new

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Lenovo ThinkPad L390 13"
Lenovo ThinkPad L390 13"
Starting at

Refurbished price:299.00

Versus €766.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Dell Latitude 5420, released in 2021, and the Lenovo ThinkPad L390, introduced in 2018, are both designed as reliable business laptops aimed at professionals and students. While they share the common goal of providing a portable computing experience, the Latitude 5420 distinguishes itself with more contemporary internal components and advanced connectivity, whereas the ThinkPad L390 emphasizes a compact form factor and the established durability associated with its brand. Both devices operate on the Windows operating system, offering a consistent and familiar software environment for a broad range of users.

Scores

Durability

The difference in release years between these two laptops plays a significant role in their anticipated software support longevity and overall practical lifespan. The Dell Latitude 5420, launched in 2021, benefits from a more recent introduction, which typically translates to a longer period of official operating system updates and security patches compared to the 2018 Lenovo ThinkPad L390. This extended support can be a crucial factor for users planning to keep their device for several years.

  • Release Timeline: The Latitude 5420's two-year newer release date compared to the ThinkPad L390 inherently provides it with a longer window for receiving the latest software enhancements and security updates from the operating system developer.
  • OS Support Duration: Users of the Latitude 5420 can expect a more extended period of official Windows support, ensuring continued compatibility with new software and protection against emerging threats, thereby prolonging its functional utility.
  • Repairability and Build: Both models are constructed with business use in mind, often featuring designs that facilitate easier access to internal components for maintenance or upgrades, which can contribute to their overall longevity and extend their useful life through repair. The Latitude 5420 also boasts MIL-STD 810H testing for enhanced durability.

Year of Release

2020

2018

Last Os Compatibility

Yes

Yes

OS

Windows 11

Windows 11

Performance

The performance capabilities of these two laptops are primarily differentiated by their respective generations of internal processing units, which directly influences their responsiveness across various computing tasks. The Dell Latitude 5420, equipped with a more modern architecture, generally delivers a more fluid and efficient experience for demanding applications and intensive multitasking compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad L390.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Latitude 5420 incorporates a newer generation of processors, which results in quicker application launch times, more efficient data processing, and smoother handling of complex computational workloads, making it advantageous for users running resource-intensive software.
  • Multitasking Responsiveness: Benefiting from support for greater amounts of RAM and a more advanced processor, the Latitude 5420 offers a noticeably smoother experience when managing numerous open applications and navigating between many browser tabs simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
  • Storage and Speed: Both devices utilize solid-state drive (SSD) storage, ensuring rapid boot-up sequences and swift data access. However, the Latitude 5420 often supports larger capacity and potentially faster NVMe SSD configurations, further enhancing overall system responsiveness.

Memory (GB)

16 GB

8 GB

Processor

Core i5-1135G7

Core i5 - Gen 8 (U)

Graphic card

Integrated Graphics

Integrated Graphics

Screen quality

The visual experience is a significant aspect for any laptop, and while both offer Full HD resolution, the Dell Latitude 5420 provides a wider range of brightness options and a slightly larger display, potentially enhancing usability in diverse lighting conditions. The Lenovo ThinkPad L390, on the other hand, offers a more compact screen size.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both laptops typically feature IPS panels, delivering Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. This ensures sharp text and clear images with consistent colors across wide viewing angles, suitable for professional documents and multimedia.
  • Brightness Levels and Outdoor Use: The Latitude 5420 is available with configurations offering higher peak brightness levels, which can significantly improve screen readability in brightly lit environments or when working outdoors, a potential advantage over the ThinkPad L390's standard brightness panel.
  • Screen Size and Ergonomics: The Latitude 5420's 14-inch display provides a slightly more expansive visual workspace, which can be beneficial for productivity. The ThinkPad L390's 13.3-inch screen contributes to its more compact and potentially easier-to-handle form factor, appealing to users prioritizing ultimate portability.

Resolution

1920 x 1080

1366 x 768

Screen type

IPS

LCD

Camera

Audiovisual

For communication and multimedia consumption, both laptops integrate essential audio-visual components. While both include standard webcams and speakers, the Dell Latitude 5420, being a newer design, may offer a slightly more refined experience due to potential advancements in its integrated components.

  • Integrated Webcam Performance: Both the Latitude 5420 and ThinkPad L390 are equipped with HD webcams, providing sufficient video quality for standard video conferencing, online classes, and virtual meetings, ensuring users can be seen clearly.
  • Microphone Clarity: Designed for professional communication, both devices typically feature dual-array microphones. These are engineered to capture clear audio input while working to minimize ambient background noise, enhancing the quality of calls and recordings.
  • Speaker Output and Media: The integrated speakers on both laptops are suitable for general audio needs, such as participating in video calls, listening to presentations, or casual media playback. They deliver clear sound, though they are not designed for high-fidelity audio experiences.

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, practical considerations such as connectivity, available ports, and physical design significantly influence the daily user experience. The Dell Latitude 5420 incorporates more contemporary wireless standards and a broader selection of versatile ports, while the ThinkPad L390 maintains a reputation for its robust and compact construction.

  • Connectivity Options: The Latitude 5420 supports advanced wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, offering faster data transfer speeds and more reliable connections compared to the ThinkPad L390's Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Port Selection and Versatility: A notable difference is the Latitude 5420's inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports, which provide highly versatile, high-speed connectivity for a wide range of peripherals, external displays, and advanced docking solutions. The ThinkPad L390 offers USB-C ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort capabilities.
  • Physical Attributes: Both laptops are designed with portability in mind. The 13.3-inch ThinkPad L390 is slightly more compact, while the 14-inch Latitude 5420 offers a larger screen without a significant increase in weight, making both suitable for mobile professionals. The Latitude 5420 also includes an RJ-45 Ethernet port.

Weight

1400 g

1460 g

Screen size

14

13

User feedback frequently highlights the Dell Latitude 5420's robust performance for daily business operations and its modern connectivity features as key strengths. Users often appreciate its capability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and the availability of brighter screen options, which enhance usability in various lighting conditions. Some observations point to its functional design being less about aesthetics, and for some, the standard battery capacity might require more frequent charging.

The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 consistently receives praise for its durable construction, comfortable keyboard, and dependable performance for general productivity, upholding the ThinkPad legacy of reliability. Users often value its compact dimensions, which contribute to its excellent portability. Conversely, potential considerations sometimes raised include its slightly older processor generation, which might show limitations with more demanding software over time, and its screen brightness, which may be less optimal for outdoor use.

Users prioritizing a device with more up-to-date internal components, faster wireless connectivity, and a slightly larger display for enhanced productivity will likely find the Dell Latitude 5420 a strong match. Individuals who place a higher value on a highly portable, robustly built laptop known for reliability and a superior typing experience may find the Lenovo ThinkPad L390 more aligned with their preferences. Exploring a quality-assured refurbished option for either model presents an eco-friendly alternative for acquiring reliable technology.

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