Dell Latitude 5400 Business Laptop, Intel Core i7-8665U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, 14″ HD, CAM, Bluetooth, Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)

About This Product

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced business world, having a reliable and efficient laptop is crucial for productivity. The Dell Latitude 5400 is a business laptop designed to meet the demanding needs of professionals who require both performance and portability. With an Intel Core i7-8665U processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this Dell Latitude 5400 laptop boasts impressive specifications on paper. But does it live up to the expectations in real-world usage? In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into every aspect of the Dell Latitude 5400 to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Build Quality Dell Latitude 5400

The Dell Latitude 5400 features a classic business laptop design with a focus on functionality and durability. Its chassis is constructed from a combination of magnesium alloy and plastic, giving it a sturdy feel without being overly heavy. Dell Latitude 5400 laptop has undergone rigorous testing, including MIL-STD 810G certification, which means it can withstand various environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, humidity, and vibration.

The laptop’s design is minimalist and professional, with a matte black finish and the iconic Dell logo on the lid. It measures 13.1 x 9.0 x 0.8 inches (33.3 x 22.9 x 2.0 cm) and weighs 3.4 pounds (1.54 kg), making it reasonably portable for a 14-inch laptop. The slim bezels around the display help reduce the overall footprint, giving you more screen real estate in a compact form factor.

Display Dell Latitude 5400 

The Dell Latitude 5400 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare display. While it may not have the highest resolution or the most vibrant colors compared to some consumer laptops, it excels in its intended purpose – providing a comfortable and productive work experience. The anti-glare coating minimizes reflections and reduces eye strain, which is crucial for long hours of work.

The display produces sharp text and images, making it suitable for tasks like word processing, data analysis, and web browsing. However, if your work involves color-critical tasks such as photo or video editing, you might want to consider an external monitor with better color accuracy.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard on the Dell Latitude 5400 is one of its standout features for business users. It offers a comfortable typing experience with well-spaced keys, a good amount of key travel, and a quiet typing sound. The backlighting is adjustable, allowing you to work in dimly lit environments.

The trackpad is responsive and supports Windows 10 gestures, making it easy to navigate and multitask. It also has dedicated left and right-click buttons, which some users prefer over integrated click pads.

Performance

Under the hood, the Dell Latitude 5400 has an Intel Core i7-8665U processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a speedy 512GB SSD. This combination of hardware ensures that the laptop delivers snappy performance for a wide range of tasks.

Whether you’re running multiple browser tabs, handling large spreadsheets, or using resource-intensive business applications, the laptop can handle it with ease. The Core i7 processor provides ample processing power, while the generous amount of RAM ensures smooth multitasking. The SSD, with its fast read and write speeds, contributes to quick boot times and rapid data access.

For business users who need to run virtual machines or engage in computational tasks, the Latitude 5400 can be configured with more RAM, offering up to 32GB, to meet those demands.

Graphics

The Dell Latitude 5400 relies on integrated graphics, specifically the Intel UHD Graphics 620. While these integrated graphics are sufficient for everyday tasks, they are not intended for gaming or graphics-intensive applications. If you need a laptop for tasks like 3D rendering or gaming, you should look elsewhere or consider an external GPU option.

Connectivity

Connectivity is a vital aspect of any business laptop, and the Dell Latitude 5400 doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a comprehensive selection of ports and wireless options.

On the left side, you’ll find a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, a USB Type-C port with Power Delivery, an HDMI 1.4 port, a Smart Card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the right side, there’s a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, an SD card reader, a SIM card slot (for models with mobile broadband), and a Kensington lock slot.

The inclusion of both USB Type-C and HDMI ports allows for versatile connectivity options. The USB Type-C port supports data transfer, DisplayPort output, and power delivery, making it convenient for docking and connecting to external displays.

Wireless connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast and reliable wireless networking. Bluetooth 5.0 is also supported for connecting peripherals such as wireless mice and headsets.

Security

Security is a paramount concern for business laptops, and the Dell Latitude 5400 offers a range of features to protect your data and privacy. These include:

1. Fingerprint Reader: The laptop features a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button for fast and secure login.
2. TPM 2.0: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a hardware-based security feature that encrypts sensitive data, enhancing overall security.
3. NFC: Some configurations of the Latitude 5400 come with Near Field Communication (NFC) support, which can be used for secure authentication and contactless payments.
4. Dell ControlVault: This hardware-based security solution helps protect your credentials and sensitive information.
5. Dell Client Command Suite: This suite of tools provides advanced management and security features, allowing IT administrators to easily manage and secure the laptop.
6. Optional Smart Card Reader: The laptop can be configured with a Smart Card reader for additional security measures.

Battery Life

The Dell Latitude 5400 comes with a 68Wh battery, which is generous for a laptop of its size. Dell claims that it can provide up to 22 hours of battery life on a single charge. However, real-world usage will vary depending on your workload and settings.

In our tests, with moderate usage consisting of web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, the laptop managed to last a full workday on a single charge, which is impressive. For more demanding tasks, you can expect a slightly shorter battery life, but it should still comfortably get you through most of the day.

Operating System

The Dell Latitude 5400 runs Windows 10 Professional out of the box, which is the preferred choice for business users. Windows 10 Pro offers additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, and Group Policy management, which are valuable for businesses and organizations.

Upgrade and Serviceability

One of the advantages of the Latitude series is its serviceability. Dell has made it relatively easy to access and upgrade internal components. The laptop has a removable bottom panel that provides access to the RAM, SSD, and wireless card. This means that if you need to expand your RAM or swap out the SSD for a larger one in the future, you can do so without much hassle.

Dell also offers a variety of warranty and support options, including on-site service, which can be crucial for business users who can’t afford downtime.

Audio and Webcam

The laptop features stereo speakers that produce clear and loud sound, suitable for video conferencing and multimedia presentations. While they won’t replace dedicated external speakers, they are sufficient for business use.

The integrated HD webcam is serviceable for video calls but doesn’t deliver exceptional image quality. In well-lit environments, it provides adequate video quality, but it may struggle in low-light conditions.

Portability

The Dell Latitude 5400 strikes a good balance between performance and portability. It’s not the thinnest or lightest laptop on the market, but it’s still highly portable for a 14-inch business laptop. The slim bezels around the display contribute to its compact form factor.

The laptop’s battery life, coupled with its relatively lightweight design, makes it an excellent choice for professionals on the go. Whether you’re traveling for business or moving between meetings, the Latitude 5400 is easy to carry and won’t weigh you down.

Pros:

1. Powerful Performance: The Dell Latitude 5400 boasts an Intel Core i7 processor, ample RAM, and a fast SSD, ensuring smooth and responsive performance for business tasks.
2. Durable Build: MIL-STD 810G certification and a combination of magnesium alloy and plastic construction make the laptop rugged and capable of withstanding various environmental conditions.
3. Excellent Keyboard: The comfortable keyboard with adjustable backlighting enhances the typing experience, making it suitable for long work sessions.
4. Comprehensive Connectivity: A wide range of ports, including USB Type-C and HDMI, ensures versatile connectivity options. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 provide fast and reliable wireless connections.
5. Strong Security Features: Fingerprint reader, TPM 2.0, NFC (optional), and Dell ControlVault enhance data security and privacy.
6. Serviceability: The laptop’s design allows for easy access and upgradeability of internal components, such as RAM and SSD.
7. Good Battery Life: The laptop offers an all-day battery life, ensuring productivity even when on the go.

Cons:

1. Integrated Graphics: The laptop relies on integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620, limiting its suitability for graphics-intensive tasks or gaming.
2. Average Display: While functional, the Full HD display lacks the vibrancy and color accuracy found in some consumer-oriented laptops.
3. Webcam Quality: The integrated webcam provides only adequate video quality and struggles in low-light conditions.
4. Bloatware: Some users may find pre-installed software (bloatware) on the laptop, which can be annoying to remove.
5. Price: The Dell Latitude 5400 may have a higher price tag than consumer laptops with similar specifications due to its business-focused features and durability.
6. Limited Graphics Options: If your work requires dedicated graphics for tasks like video editing or 3D modeling, this laptop’s integrated graphics may fall short.

  Conclusion

The Dell Latitude 5400 is a solid choice for professionals and business users looking for a reliable and capable laptop. It excels in key areas that matter most to business users, such as performance, durability, security, and connectivity. The comfortable keyboard, ample RAM, and fast SSD make it a productivity powerhouse, while the robust security features offer peace of mind.

While it may not have the flashiest display or graphics performance, it more than makes up for it with its focus on practicality and functionality. The laptop’s battery life, serviceability, and portability make it a versatile tool for professionals who need to work on the go.

In a world where business laptops are a dime a dozen, the Dell Latitude 5400 stands out as a reliable workhorse that gets the job done without breaking the bank. If you prioritize productivity, security, and a laptop that can handle the demands of your business, the Latitude 5400 is worth considering.

Whether you’re a corporate executive, a small business owner, or an IT manager looking to outfit your team with dependable laptops, the Dell Latitude 5400 should be on your shortlist of options. It’s a testament to Dell’s commitment to delivering quality business laptops that meet the needs of modern professionals.