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Updated January 12, 2024·
For general use with a preference for a newer system and versatility, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 might be a better choice as it functions as both a laptop and a tablet. It offers a higher-resolution screen with a more modern aspect ratio which could be preferable for multitasking and media consumption. However, if budget is a primary concern and you seek something more affordable, the Dell Latitude 14 7490 provides a capable alternative without the 2-in-1 feature and with slightly lower performance graphics. Keep in mind that the Latitude model comes with an older operating system, which may affect compatibility with the latest applications. Both laptops are similar in size and offer the same amount of memory and storage, but the Latitude has a longer battery life, which could be significant if you need your laptop to last through extended periods without charging. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 7420
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 14 7490
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.2
6.7
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 14 7490 for software development, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420's fair display offers adequate resolution and brightness for most tasks, but may not have the color accuracy or panel quality of higher-end models. For engineering and design, the Dell Latitude 14 7490 presents a good screen due to better coverage of professional color gamuts, making it suitable for color-sensitive work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth visuals, which are essential in these areas.
Battery
7.5 Hours
9.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has 9.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Cost
$801
$300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the Dell Latitude 14 7490 costs $300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
260.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 stands out for general use due to its 2-in-1 convertible design, allowing it to function as both a laptop and a tablet, and its very good portability score, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490, although older, offers a longer battery life and very good keyboard quality which are significant factors for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.2
5.9
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 7420 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, equipped with an Intel Iris Xe GPU and a maximum screen refresh rate of 60Hz, is only moderately capable of handling gaming and 3D tasks, which is largely similar to the Dell Latitude 14 7490 that comes with an Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU and the same 60Hz screen refresh rate. While the GPU is the most important factor determining gaming and 3D performance, and neither laptop has a high-end gaming GPU, the CPU and screen quality, though lesser concerns, also contribute to their fair performance in this category.
Engineering and Design
6.9
6.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is generally more suited for engineering and design tasks due to its latest generation CPU and superior integrated GPU, which provide better performance for demanding programs, while its higher screen quality with better color coverage and contrast ratio ensures more accurate visual representation. In contrast, the Dell Latitude 14 7490, although lighter and thus more portable, has an older generation CPU and a less powerful GPU, which means it may not handle intensive tasks as efficiently, and its screen, albeit brighter, offers lower color accuracy and contrast, which can be less ideal for precision work.
Content Creation
7.3
7.3
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the Dell Latitude 14 7490 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 7420 | Dell Latitude 14 7490 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$801 | $300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | April 1, 2018 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.66'' | 13'' x 8.7'' x 0.8'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.61 lbs | 3.11 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 8.7" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i7-8650U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 9.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 60 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 260 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 3 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 14 7420
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | June 2022
"Notable qualities of the Inspiron 7420 2-in-1 include the 16:10 aspect ratio, strong hinges, 12th gen Intel CPU with optional GeForce MX graphics, and easy serviceability. Such features would typically cost hundreds of dollars more on higher-end alternatives from competing manufacturers. The value proposition is therefore relatively high for users looking to maximize bang for the buck."
Dell Latitude 14 7490
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Henry T. Casey | April 2018
"The Dell Latitude 7490's got the speed you need (and then some), a keyboard that's comfortable enough for writing all day long and a battery that supports a full 8-hour workday. If only the display were brighter and it managed heat better. If you need every minute of battery life you can get, the extended-battery version of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 lasts 8 hours longer than the Latitude 7490, but its display is much less colorful."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the Dell Latitude 14 7490
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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