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Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the Dell Latitude 14 7490 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i depends on your priorities. The Dell is more budget-friendly, making it a solid choice for everyday use and value, while the Lenovo tends to be more expensive, but offers a slightly newer processor and better display aspect ratio for tasks like content creation. If battery life is crucial, the Dell has a larger battery. For portability, the Lenovo is thinner but slightly heavier. If you're using intensive applications, the Dell's i7 processor has more power than the i5 in the Lenovo, despite Lenovo's newer generation chip. If running the latest operating system is important, the Lenovo comes with Windows 11. Consider what’s more important to you: cost savings, portability, display quality, or computing power. 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 portability
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.5
7.0
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with its Intel i5-1335U and Intel Iris Xe graphics, offers better graphical performance and higher screen resolution for engineering and design tasks compared to the Dell Latitude 14 7490, which has an older Intel i7-8650U and Intel UHD Graphics 620 with a lower screen resolution. The IdeaPad's advantage in GPU performance and screen quality makes it more suited for work that involves visual detail and computational demand, which are essential in those fields.
Screen Quality
6.7
6.4
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
305.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a better screen for content creation.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 offers a screen suitable for general use and engineering due to a balance between resolution and brightness, delivering clear imagery and comfortable viewing, with a color range that supports tasks requiring color accuracy. However, it falls short for gaming and 3D because of its lower refresh rate, which can lead to less smooth visuals and potential motion blur during fast-paced scenes. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i's screen provides adequate quality for everyday tasks and is acceptable for engineering and design work, but like the Dell, it doesn't meet the high refresh rate needed for optimal gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
9.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has very good portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$300
$828
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a price of $300 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i costs $828.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.2
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
305.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 offers a durable build and a well-balanced combination of CPU, RAM, and battery life, making it reliable for general use; however, it is heavier and less portable compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, which features a newer processor, a larger screen with a taller aspect ratio, and better keyboard and speaker quality, but falls short in overall battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.9
6.3
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
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 IdeaPad Slim 5i to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is poor.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has an older Intel UHD Graphics 620 which is less suitable for modern gaming and 3D applications; it shares the same basic 60Hz screen refresh rate as the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, which also has a 60Hz display but benefits from a newer and more capable Intel Iris Xe graphics. The IdeaPad's graphics offer improved performance over the Latitude's, which is a critical factor for running games and 3D content smoothly, while both laptops have moderate screen refresh rates that might not suit the fastest action games.
Content Creation
7.3
7.4
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 IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.6
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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 Latitude 14 7490 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Latitude 14 7490 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $828 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13'' x 8.7'' x 0.8'' | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.11 lbs | 4.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13" | 14.02" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.7" | 9.88" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-8650U | Intel i5-1335U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60 Wh | 56.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
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 | 315 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
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 IdeaPad Slim 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
HT Tech
Robin Sinha | February 2021
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
Get a great deal on the Dell Latitude 14 7490 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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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