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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you value cost savings and primarily require a laptop for basic tasks, the Dell Latitude 14 7490 may suit your needs well especially since it's less expensive. However, if you engage in tasks that benefit from a touch screen and a flexible design, such as creative work or presentations, the Lenovo Flex 5 14, while more costly, offers those additional features. The Lenovo might also perform better for more demanding tasks, but consider that it may weigh more, impacting portability. Battery life is also a factor; if you often work on the go, ensure the chosen laptop meets your duration needs. 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 Latitude 14 7490
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Flex 5 14
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.2
7.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
305.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
277.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is somewhat better.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 offers a solid CPU and RAM, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks, while its battery life and portability make it convenient for users on the go. On the other hand, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 not only provides comparable performance with a quality CPU and ample RAM but also adds a flexible touch screen of high quality, appealing to those who value interactive media and versatility.
Engineering and Design
6.5
7.0
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490, with its older Intel CPU and integrated graphics, falls short compared to the Lenovo Flex 5 14, which boasts a more modern AMD Ryzen CPU with stronger integrated graphics, bettering its suitability for demanding engineering and design tasks.
Screen Quality
6.7
6.4
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
305.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
277.0 nits
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a better screen than the Lenovo Flex 5 14 for general use, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo Flex 5 14 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
The Dell Latitude's screen offers a balance suitable for engineering and design due to its more accurate color reproduction, while its average brightness and resolution make it acceptable for general use but not ideal for the fast-paced visuals required for Gaming and 3D, where higher refresh rates are crucial. The Lenovo Flex 5's screen meets the basic needs for both general use and engineering tasks with fair color coverage and adequate resolution, but it falls short for gaming and 3D content because of its standard refresh rate, which doesn't support the smoother motion and quicker responses preferred in these scenarios. Both laptops may not fully satisfy users looking for an immersive gaming experience, yet they cater to professional and casual users valuing screen accuracy and clarity for daily tasks and creative work.
Battery
9.5 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Flex 5 14 has 11.5 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
$300
$950
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a price of $300 and the Lenovo Flex 5 14 costs $950.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
5.9
6.2
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Flex 5 14 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is poor.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 and Lenovo Flex 5 14 are only fair for gaming and 3D due to their integrated graphics cards and standard screen refresh rates, which are less capable than dedicated GPUs and higher refresh rates found in specialized gaming laptops. While both can handle lighter gaming, they might not deliver the smoothest experience for more demanding games or complex 3D tasks that benefit from better graphical processing power and faster screen response.
Content Creation
7.3
7.6
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 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
7.1
7.4
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 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
3.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.0
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 and Lenovo Flex 5 14 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 Latitude 14 7490 and the Lenovo Flex 5 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Latitude 14 7490 | Lenovo Flex 5 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $950 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2018 | December 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13'' x 8.7'' x 0.8'' | 12.3'' x 8.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.11 lbs | 3.42 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13" | 12.32" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.7" | 8.85" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-8650U | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 11.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60 Wh | 52.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 305 nits | 277 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
Lenovo Flex 5 14
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2021
"The highlight of the latest IdeaPad Flex 5 14 is clearly its AMD CPU. The octa-core Ryzen 7 5700U is insanely fast even when compared to the best Tiger Lake Ultrabooks in the market or even Core H CPUs in many gaming laptops. It's a lot of raw processing power for what is supposed to be a budget 14-inch convertible. If your daily workloads can benefit from extra multi-thread CPU performance, then look no further than the inexpensive AMD-powered Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14. For regular on-the-road browsing or video streaming, however, a slimmer and lighter 10th gen Core Yoga, Spectre, or XPS would be a more balanced option."
Get a great deal on the Dell Latitude 14 7490 or the Lenovo Flex 5 14
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.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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