The Dell Latitude E5470 laptop is a standout in the world of business laptops, offering a combination of reliability, performance, and long-lasting durability. Designed for professionals on the go, it features robust build quality, strong security features, and customizable options to suit various user needs. The Latitude series has long been known for offering a no-nonsense experience for users who value productivity over flash, and the E5470 is no exception. In this review, we’ll look in detail at the design, display, performance, battery life, keyboard, connectivity options, and more to see how well this model serves its target audience.
Design and Build Quality
The Dell Latitude E5470 prioritizes durability over flair. Made with reinforced materials, this laptop is built to withstand the rigors of daily use, making it ideal for professionals who need a laptop that can endure the typical wear and tear of travel and work. The matte black chassis is subtle but functional, with a soft-touch finish that resists fingerprints. While the design may not be as sleek as some ultra-thin consumer models, the E5470’s design is built with practicality in mind.
- Dimensions and Weight: At around 3.9 pounds and measuring 0.9 inches thick, the Dell Latitude E5470 laptop is slightly on the heavier side compared to some modern Ultrabook’s. However, it remains portable enough for everyday transport.
- Durability: This model meets several MIL-STD-810G standards, meaning it can handle a few bumps, extreme temperatures, and even minor drops without issue. If you frequently work in challenging environments, this added ruggedness is an asset.
- Hinges and Build Quality: The sturdy hinges allow the laptop to open up to 180 degrees, laying flat if needed, which can be useful for sharing content during meetings.
Display Quality of Dell Latitude E5470
The Dell Latitude E5470 comes with a 14-inch display available in two primary configurations: HD (1366 x 768) and Full HD (1920 x 1080). While the HD option might suffice for basic business tasks, most users will find the Full HD option more suitable, especially if they need sharp visuals for presentations or multimedia.
- Brightness and Color: The Full HD display is relatively bright, reaching up to 300 nits, making it usable in various lighting conditions, including brighter office environments. However, the color range, while adequate for office tasks, may not meet the standards required for intensive graphic design or multimedia work.
- Viewing Angles: The IPS technology provides good viewing angles, which helps when sharing your screen with others or working in split-screen mode.
- Touchscreen Option: Some configurations include a touchscreen option, which can be useful for tasks that benefit from touch input. However, the added feature can slightly increase weight and price.
Dell Latitude E5470 Performance
Under the hood, the Dell Latitude E5470 laptop is powered by Intel’s sixth-generation processors, with options including Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7. Combined with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and SSD storage options, this laptop is well-equipped to handle demanding business applications.
- Processor Options: The Core i5 and i7 models offer the best performance, suitable for multitasking, running multiple applications, and even some light editing work. The i3 configuration is more budget-friendly and suitable for simpler tasks like web browsing and document editing.
- Storage and Memory: With up to 16GB of RAM and an SSD that can go up to 512GB, users have plenty of options. The SSD greatly improves boot time and the speed of launching applications, making this laptop a good choice for professionals who need efficiency.
- Graphics: While the Dell Latitude E5470 is not intended for heavy gaming or high-end graphical work, it offers integrated Intel HD Graphics 520, which suffices for most business-related tasks. If required, there’s an optional AMD Radeon R7 M360 dedicated graphics card, which can handle light photo editing and other graphics-intensive tasks more smoothly.
Dell Latitude E5470 Battery Life
One of the most significant factors for any professional laptop is its battery life, and the Dell Latitude E5470 laptop battery performs admirably. With the standard 4-cell battery, you can expect around 8 hours of usage on a single charge, though this can vary depending on your settings and workload.
- Battery Options: The laptop is available with both 4-cell and 6-cell battery options, with the latter providing additional usage time but adding slightly to the weight.
- Charging Time: Dell’s ExpressCharge feature allows for faster charging, reaching 80% in about an hour. This is useful if you need a quick top-up between meetings or while commuting.
- Real-world Performance: In practical terms, the battery life is sufficient for a full workday with moderate use. However, if you plan to run more demanding applications, like video conferencing software or multitasking with multiple browser tabs, expect the battery to drain more quickly.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Typing on the Dell Latitude E5470 is a pleasant experience, thanks to a well-designed keyboard that offers decent travel and tactile feedback.
- Keyboard: The full-sized keyboard is spill-resistant, which is a nice feature for anyone working in a high-risk environment or simply prone to accidental spills. The keys themselves have around 1.8mm of travel, providing a comfortable typing experience, though it may take a short adjustment period for some users.
- Backlighting: The keyboard is backlit, making it easier to type in low-light environments, a must-have for many professionals who work into the night.
- Touchpad: The touchpad on the E5470 is responsive and offers smooth scrolling. It also includes physical left and right buttons, which many users prefer for accuracy over the integrated buttons on some modern laptops.
Connectivity and Ports
The Dell Latitude E5470 offers an impressive range of ports, ensuring it can connect with all your devices and peripherals.
- USB Ports: It includes three USB 3.0 ports, making it easy to connect external drives, mice, and other devices simultaneously.
- HDMI and VGA: The HDMI and VGA ports ensure that the laptop can connect to both modern and legacy monitors, a useful feature for business presentations.
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi: For internet connectivity, the laptop includes an Ethernet port and supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac, providing reliable options whether you’re in the office or on the go.
- SmartCard Reader and Fingerprint Scanner: Security is a priority for the Dell Latitude series, and the E5470 includes both a SmartCard reader and an optional fingerprint scanner, allowing you to keep your data safe with multiple layers of protection.
Dell Latitude E5470 Price and Availability
The Dell Latitude E5470 laptop is available at various price points, depending on the configuration. The dell laptop latitude E5470 price can start as low as £350 for a refurbished model with basic specs, going up to around £700 or more for higher-end configurations with more memory, a larger SSD, and additional features.
- Value for Money: Considering the durable design, decent battery life, and versatile connectivity options, the Latitude E5470 offers good value, especially for professionals needing a reliable work laptop.
- Comparison with Other Models: Compared to other laptops in the Latitude series, such as the Latitude 5480 or 5490, the E5470 offers a more affordable option while retaining most of the essential features that business users seek.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Durable, business-friendly design
- Strong performance options with Intel i5 and i7 processors
- Decent battery life with Express Charge capability
- Wide range of connectivity ports
- Backlit, spill-resistant keyboard
Cons
- Heavier than some Ultrabook in its class
- Limited color accuracy for multimedia work
- Battery life reduces significantly with demanding tasks
In conclusion, the Dell Latitude E5470 laptop is a solid choice for professionals who prioritize reliability, durability, and business-oriented features. It doesn’t aim to be the lightest or most powerful laptop on the market, but it offers a well-rounded package that is hard to beat for its target audience. With multiple configurations available, it allows users to customize their experience based on budget and needs, making it versatile enough for a range of business tasks.
For those who need a no-frills, dependable machine that performs well in a variety of professional scenarios, the Latitude E5470 is certainly worth considering. With good battery options, solid build quality, and a comfortable keyboard, it provides a productivity-focused experience that many business users will appreciate. The E5470 might not be the flashiest laptop on the market, but it’s designed to get the job done—and it does so with reliability and practicality.
