Hey there,
Looking to upgrade those aging office laptops? As an IT manager, you need a workhorse notebook that keeps your users productive without blowing the budget.
The just-released Dell Latitude 5420 aims to fit the bill. But does this 2021 refresh stand above the rest?
I took a deep dive on the 5420‘s specs, performance benchmarks, and real-world usability. Below you‘ll find everything needed to evaluate if it‘s the right fit. I‘ll even cover alternatives in case Dell misses the mark.
Let‘s dig in!
A Generational Leap – But More of The Same Reliable Formula
Dell whipped the curtain back on their Latitude 5420 at this January‘s CES showcase. As longtime industry watchers know, the Latitude line first debuted way back in 2008 as Dell‘s premiere business notebook brand.
They‘ve delivered a new model annually like clockwork to match corporate laptop refresh cycles.
2021‘s release brings upgrades you‘d expect – jumping to 11th generation Intel Core processing chips with the requisite performance enhancements. But otherwise the 5420 sticks to the tried and tested blueprint previous generations have honed.
You can view the 5420 as a reliable iteration building upon Dell‘s solid business laptop foundation rather than a revolutionary reimagining.
If you‘re already onboard the Latitude train, faster chips and minor tweaks make this worthy sequel. More cautious upgraders may ask if a bolder innovative leap was needed considering remote work and AI now power knowledge worker production.
But let‘s reserve judgement until comparing this veteran against competitors later on.
First, what exactly does the 5420 deliver under the hood?…
New Kid With Familiar Features
Like previous Latitude generations, Dell offers the 5420 in Core i5, Core i7, and ruggedized configurations allowing you to match spec and durability to user needs.
Common features across the lineup include…
- 14" screen strikes balance between portability and comfortable viewing
- Durable carbon fiber lid and magnesium alloy chassis with MIL-STD 810H certification
- Up to 64GB DDR4 RAM for aggressive multitasking
- Speedy NVMe SSD storage improves boot and load times
- Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB-C ports allow rapid data transfers to latest external drives
And yes, that essential webcam shutter remains to block peeping Toms during conference calls!
Dell manages to cram pro-level components into a reasonably lightweight 3.03 lb device. It‘s a smidge heavier than ultra-portables but pays off via extended 13 hour rated battery life (based on regular office use like email and documents rather than intensive CPU rendering tasks).
Cliffs Notes version – the Latitude 5420 brings expected generation-to-generation improvements around speed and features without reinventing Dell‘s battle tested formula.
Now let‘s scrutinize if performance holds up against rivals…
Benchmarks – Quick Enough for Business Work?
The jump to 11th generation Intel silicon provides a healthy injection of extra multi-core processing grunt. The Core i7 model notches around 700 in Cinebench R23 testing – enough muscle for intensive number crunching and productivity apps.
Of course few staff members need that much horsepower. Even base spec Core i5 units handle typical office workloads like web apps, Office 365, and endless Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat.
To give you tangible metrics for decision making, I stacked Latitude 5420 benchmarks versus noted competitors Lenovo and HP‘s finest…
| Model | CPU | Cinebench R23 Multi-Core | Battery Life (Office Apps) | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Latitude 5420 | Core i7-1145G7 | 709 cb | 13 hrs | 3.03 lbs | $1529 |
| Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 9 | Core i7-1165G7 | 766 cb | 15 hrs | 2.49 lbs | $1799 |
| HP Elite Dragonfly G2 | Core i7-1165G7 | 747 cb | 12 hrs | 2.2 lbs | $2049 |
For productivity focused mobile workers, the Latitude 5420 holds its own against premium rivals. But the Lenovo Carbon‘s slimmer frame may appeal more if constantly on the move.
I‘d only suggest stepping up to the flagship Dragonfly for staff utilizing intensive creative tools or data science apps maximizing those cutting edge CPUs continually.
Oh, and the Latitude 5420 costs a useful few hundred less than either while still delivering capable speed. Cha-ching!
Now about aesthetics…does the 5420 keep up with modern styles?
Visual Refresh Overdue As Rivals Mature Designs
I won‘t mince words – Dell‘s design language remains drier than the Sahara. The Latitude 5420‘s matte black carbon lid and mirrored Dell logo exude corporate sensibility rather than flair.
There‘s little razzle dazzle with protruding hinges, sharp edges, or attention grabbing accents. The centered HD webcam peers conservatively between two discreet microphone ports.
But before shouting boring!, understand Dell prioritizes function first. Their aesthetic aligns more with reliable family sedan than flashy sports car.
By contrast, Lenovo debuts an all new minimalist appearance for the 2021 ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Slimmer screen bezels and lighter weight materials join with softer lines across the keyboard deck and touchpad. Plus a neat soft rimmed speaker running above the keyboard.
The X1 Carbon shows veteran brands can teach old dogs new tricks. Perhaps Dell needs a bolder shakeup to maintain Latitude relevancy against advancing rivals. Even budget favorites like Acer‘s Travelmate series now experiment with unique textures and colorways while retaining the expected performance focus.
Does stale design language distract from Latitude 5420‘s understated competence? That depends on your workplace culture. But know options exist if desiring a touch more panache in an otherwise solid business laptop.
Now about that legendary keyboard and inputs…
Same Comfortable Keyboard Returns
If you‘ve used past Latitude models, Dell‘s backlit keyboard needs little introduction. The 5420 brings more of the same with decent key travel, dedicated cursor keys, and properly spaced layout avoiding cramped mistakes.
I‘m typing this very review on a test 5420 unit and hammering away at a satisfactory clip thanks to the smooth action. Consistent feedback makes this a great option for lengthy typing sessions whether coding or word processing.
The glass touchpad also remains a highlight with smooth tracking and properly centered location compared to notebooks burying pads off center. Multi-finger gestures registered easily during testing.
No surprises here, but Dell gets the critical keyboard/touchpad duo right as expected. Plus that handy pointing stick nub retains a fanbase among mouse-averse users.
For road warriors making this their daily driver, durable inputs complement the reassuring build quality to minimize downtime from hardware failures down the track.
Speaking of longevity…
Upgradeable Design Minimizes E-Waste
Hardware faults grinding productivity to a halt remain any fleet manager‘s worse nightmare. What if a component fails outside warranty coverage? Or requirements outpace capabilities as apps grow more system intensive?
Rather than forcing an entirely new laptop purchase, the Latitude 5420 minimizes e-waste by enabling upgrade installations down the track. Straightforward access panels let technicians replace storage drives, RAM modules, and WiFi cards on site. Dell even provides instructions and spare part references publicly to simplify processes.
By extending useful lifespan, the 5420 makes good financial sense while ticking ESG boxes around responsible disposal too. Though admittedly slimmer notebooks like the X1 Carbon make upgrades trickier by soldering more components directly to the motherboard.
For sustainable IT shops, this restorability factor might influence buying decisions as much as raw performance specifications on paper.
Software Stays Mercifully Spare
Shifting gears to installed software, often preloaded tools become more hindrance than help for managed endpoints. Thankfully the Latitude 5420 experience stays pleasingly clean out the box.
Standard Windows 11 Pro edition comes decrapified without annoying third party trialware. Plus necessary peripheral drivers and management utilities integrate smoothly from both Intel and Dell.
Enterprise configurations ship with Dell Optimizer – an AI driven program allowing remote device health monitoring, usage analytics, and data protection controls like automated backup.
While no means essential for small offices, large enterprises depend on Optimizer for efficient tech support and compliance. Just take care tuning rules to avoid overly aggressive resource restrictions impacting user experience!
Either way, clean Windows 11 Pro provides a snappy launch point whether handling rollouts in house or deploying cloud managed devices with endpoint analytics suites. The discretionary Optimizer feature simply adds more strings to your admin bow if warranted.
Wait, What About Gaming and Creation Tasks?
Well…don‘t race out expecting Xbox Series X performance! In truth the Latitude 5420 targets spreadsheet jockeys rather than digital artists.
You see integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics sip power efficiently for office apps and video playback. But gaming frame rates fail to impress at Full HD resolution. Casual and cloud hosted titles run fine, just don‘t expect buttery smooth Call of Duty without a dedicated mobile RTX GPU.
Similarly video editors desiring quick preview scrubbing or programmers building complex machine learning models want more rendering horsepower. Consider workstation replacements like the Dell Precision 5000 series instead which pack mobile Nvidia Quadro chips.
Basically if everyday tasks involve Office docs, email, web apps and simple data visualizations, the 5420 satisfies. Just skip towards beefier configs (or dedicated mobile workstations) if continually pushing the envelope on intensive workflows.
Who‘s The Ideal Buyer For Dell‘s New Latitude?
After taking this corporate road warrior for an extended test drive, a few key buyer profiles emerge:
General Knowledge Workers – If reliable daily drivers for typical office productivity without performance overkill, the Latitude 5420 warrants shortlist inclusion. Reasonable pricing especially on mid tier configs keeps bean counters happy.
Task Focused Road Warriors – For sales pros, executives, even medical field technicians needing durable and long lasting hardware across multiple locations, Latitude builds quality pays dividends.
Enterprise IT Fleets – Extensive customization range, remote management capabilities, and modular upgradeability make the 5420 a corporate fleet favorite. Especially for organizations with field teams requiring versatile laptops.
In truth the Latitude 5420 evenly balances mainstream productivity needs without excess bulk or compromising battery runtimes. It fills a gap between portable flagship ultrabooks and desktop replacement mobile workstations.
For most business use cases prioritizing Office productivity over specialized creative/compute demands, this refresh deserves a look.
Any Alternatives Worth Considering?
While the Latitude 5420 gets plenty right, a few options exist if needing different priorities:
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 – For those valuing slimline portability and sleeker aesthetics above all else, Lenovo‘s category defining flagship deserves a look. Expect to pay an extra 15-20% over Latitude configs with comparable components however.
HP Elite Dragonfly G2 – Similar story to the X1 Carbon. HP‘s premium ultralight performs on par with the Latitude but adds 4K display and 5G options for those seeking next gen connectivity. For maximum mobility across multiple locations, it Warrants consideration.
Acer Travelmate P6 Series – If budget limitations are a foremost concern, Acer travels down the affordability route. Their P6 lineup undercuts the Latitude 5420 substantially while still providing capable productivity. Just expect a bigger compromise on materials and vendor support. Great pick for basic computing needs without thrills.
There‘s an argument to be made for each of the above alternatives depending on your workflow priorities and budget flexibility. I encourage browsing user reviews across retail sites like Newegg and Best Buy to gauge feedback from fellow IT buyers.
But all things considered, the Latitude 5420 should tick boxes for a majority of general corporate use situations without forcing painful premium prices.
The Bottom Line
The Latitude 5420 delivers iterative – rather than revolutionary – improvements as expected. A spec bump was inevitable, but Dell plays is safe on design and structural changes.
You‘re ultimately investing in proven reliability and performance sufficiency rather than show stopping innovation. But I suppose that aptly sums up Dell‘s Latitude ethos overall.
This nevertheless remains a robust business road warrior that dutifully handles everyday office tasks across years of front line service. For Microsoft Office focused productivity workers rather than specialized power users, the 5420 warrants shortlist consideration.
Just be aware flashier options exist if your workforce obsesses over aesthetics or trends towards emerging workflows like AI programming. Dell caters to practicality above flair.
So there you have it – a trustworthy refresh benefiting from Intel‘s latest silicon without attempting to fix what isn‘t broken. I suspect plenty of IT buyers appreciate that approach during turbulent times.
Any other lingering questions? Let me know in the comments!
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