Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 Evaluate: The Greatest Enterprise Laptop computer?

The times of companies shopping for chunky “enterprise” laptops in bulk are waning. As of late, all of us need to use a glossy, trendy laptop computer, no matter whether or not we’re at work or at dwelling. The Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is aware of this, providing the safety features IT departments require with out sacrificing its high-minded design.

Dell despatched us a high-end configuration that included an Eighth-generation Intel Whiskey Lake Core i7-8665U with vPro, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), and a 14-inch Dell Low Energy Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS show. That’s a fairly high-end configuration, and it comes at a spectacularly high-end value of $four,004 (on sale for nearly half the worth).

As we’ll see, the Latitude 7400 has a few attention-grabbing options which are geared toward businesspeople however will possible attraction to the typical particular person as nicely — to go along with a value that’s in no way consumer-friendly. No matter who you’re, does this laptop computer provide sufficient to warrant such a premium value?

The DeLorean of laptops

Let’s begin with the construct high quality, which is great. Regardless of the way you poke or prod, you gained’t discover a single millimeter of this 2-in-1 that offers in to strain. We’ll name it tank-like rigidity, a superlative that we normally reserve for laptops just like the Lenovo’s Yoga C930. Dell takes issues a step additional, although, testing the Latitude 7400 to MIL-STD-810g, a set of checks that proves a laptop computer can take a beating.

Mark Coppock/Digital Tendencies

The Latitude 7400 can also be a really glossy 2-in-1. That’s the phrase that involves thoughts – glossy — due to an angular design that’s styled to offer it a forward-sweeping aesthetic. Coupled with a silver colour that’s barely darker and evokes chrome steel, the design tempts us to name this the DeLorean of laptops. Whereas the gem-cut HP Spectre x360 13 has a extra advanced design that stands out, the Latitude 7400 has its attraction – very like the equally easy aesthetic of the Lenovo Yoga C930. We predict it’s going to attraction to anybody who needs a beautiful laptop computer that gained’t appeal to an excessive amount of consideration.

Additionally notable are the 2-in-1’s minimal bezels. They’re extraordinarily skinny on either side of the show and thinner than regular throughout the highest and backside. That makes the Latitude 7400 the smallest 14-inch 2-in-1 round, in accordance with Dell, and we’re believers. It’s as small because the Asus ZenBook 14 UX433, a clamshell laptop computer whose declare to fame is its personal small bezels. The Dell is available in at 12.59 inches broad by 7.87 inches deep, which compares to the Asus at 12.56 inches by 7.83 inches. The Spectre x360 13, by comparability, is 12.16 inches by eight.58 inches, even with a smaller 13.Three-inch show.

The Latitude 7400’s keyboard is remarkably snug to sort on over lengthy stretches of use.

The Latitude 7400 can also be skinny at zero.59 inches at its thickest level, whereas it’s a bit of heavy at 2.99 kilos with the 52 watt-hour battery (our evaluate unit with the 78 watt-hour battery is heavier, however Dell doesn’t publish the burden). That compares to the Spectre x360 13 at zero.57 inches and a pair of.92 kilos, and the ZenBook 14 at zero.63 inches and a pair of.43 kilos.

Merely put, the Latitude 7400 feels very very like a 13-inch laptop computer, an phantasm that’s maintained till you open the show and see the extra expansive show. Talking of opening the laptop computer: The hinge, which holds the show firmly in place, is easy sufficient to open with one hand till the lid reaches an almost-open angle, at which level the hinge tightens as much as maintain the show firmly in place. It’s a function that first got here to the XPS 13 earlier this 12 months, and we prefer it higher than earlier Dell laptops.

Regardless of having such skinny bezels, Dell managed to squeeze in its new ExpressSign-In function. The system’s proximity sensor, infrared digicam, and clever software program mix with Home windows 10 Good day to assist hold the laptop computer extra personal and safe. The system acknowledges when the person leaves the sector of view and dims the show and locks the laptop computer. Then, when the person returns, ExpressSign-In activates the show and logs the person in through Home windows 10 Good day facial recognition.

Mark Coppock/Digital Tendencies

The function is just like Lenovo’s Look, which we examined on the ThinkPad X390. In contrast to Lenovo’s answer, although, Dell’s doesn’t hold the webcam gentle turned on. We additionally discovered ExpressSign-In to be way more dependable than Look. In contrast to with different laptops, we didn’t must remind ourselves to lock the pc once we left our desk – a small comfort, however a useful one nonetheless. We did discover an impression on battery life with the function turned on, although, which is one thing to remember.

As with most industrial laptops, connectivity was a energy. The Latitude 7400 is skinny, however Dell nonetheless managed to incorporate two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt Three, two USB-A Three.1 Gen 1 ports, a full-size HDMI 1.four port, and a microSD card reader. Wi-fi connectivity contains 2×2 MU-MIMO gigabit Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 5.zero, and non-obligatory LTE.

The same old 2-in-1 enter choices, they usually’re superior

Dell inbuilt a keyboard that’s deeper, provides higher spacing, and has a barely stiffer and extra exact mechanism than the keyboard on the XPS 13. For those who like a lightweight contact, then you definately’ll desire the latter’s keyboard, however we discovered the Latitude 7400’s keyboard to be snug over lengthy stretches, nonetheless.

The glass touchpad is as giant as some others, nevertheless it’s very easy, coming with Microsoft Precision drivers and flawless assist for Home windows 10’s multitouch gestures. The contact show was additionally responsive, providing up one more strategy to work together with the display.

Mark Coppock/Digital Tendencies

Lastly, our evaluate unit shipped with the non-obligatory ($85) Dell Premium energetic pen that gives four,zero96 ranges of strain sensitivity, a 240Hz report fee, and tilt management. Primarily based on Wacom AES 2.zero expertise, we discovered the pen to be fairly correct and responsive. It’s the equal of the pen that ships with the Yoga C930 and, a minimum of on paper, it matches up towards Microsoft’s glorious Floor Pen. Our solely grievance is that at these costs, Dell ought to throw within the pen.

As we talked about within the design part, the Latitude 7400 2-in-1 has an infrared digicam for Home windows 10 Good day assist, to go along with the Full HD webcam. Logging in with no password was quick and dependable.

The show seems good whereas saving energy

Dell included its personal low-power expertise into 14-inch IPS Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) show on the Latitude 7400. As with the Intel low-power panel that HP makes use of within the Spectre x360 13, we hoped want to extend battery life wouldn’t end in a substandard expertise.

In accordance with our colorimeter, Dell principally succeeded in sustaining show high quality. The Latitude 7400’s show carried out equally to different premium screens in most of our checks. The distinction was superb at 960:1, nearly reaching the 1000:1 distinction ratio that we wish to see and near the 1040:1 ratio that the Intel panel reached. Brightness was a bit of low at 268 nits, under our 300 nit desire and fewer than the Spectre x360 13’s 333 nits.

The Dell’s colour gamut was common for premium shows at 70 % of AdobeRGB and 94 % of sRGB. The Spectre x360 13 had a barely wider gamut at 73 % and 95 % respectively. Shade accuracy was good at 1.74 (1.zero or much less is superb), once more inferior to the HP that scored an accuracy of 1.27. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, one other premium business-oriented 2-in-1, managed a a lot wider colour gamut of 99 % of sRGB and 96 % of AdobeRGB and a colour accuracy of zero.68.

Mark Coppock/Digital Tendencies

Whereas the Latitude 7400’s show is “simply” common in accordance with our colorimeter, it supplied an excellent productiveness expertise total – with only one challenge. We seen that whereas the show was totally legible at moderately broad angles, there was a noticeable shift in colours and the white level when the show’s vertical angle was modified even barely. For those who’re delicate to such issues, then it’d hassle you, however most individuals most likely gained’t discover the impact throughout day-to-day use.

The audio is supplied by two downward-firing audio system on the underside of the chassis. Quantity was surprisingly loud with no distortion at full blast, and whereas bass was minimal (as regular), mids and highs have been nice. It’s ok for watching Netflix and the occasional tune, however in case you actually care about constancy then hold a pair of headphones useful.

Strong productiveness efficiency

Dell geared up our evaluate unit with Intel’s Eighth-gen Whiskey Lake Core i7-8665U CPU, which is clocked simply barely sooner than the same old Core i7-8565U. However pace isn’t the actual purpose that Dell selected this processor. Somewhat, the CPU helps Intel vPro expertise that permits administration options to mitigate threats from malware on the processor degree.

In accordance with our benchmark checks, that additional pace didn’t impart many advantages. The Latitude 7400 2-in-1 carried out equally to different Core i7 laptops we’ve examined, which confirmed up first within the Geekbench four artificial benchmark. The Dell scored 5,341 within the single-core take a look at and 16,585 within the multi-core take a look at. That’s barely sooner than the Spectre x360 and the ZenBook 14 and barely slower than the Lenovo ThinkPad X390.

Stepping as much as our real-world Handbrake take a look at that encodes a 420MB video as H.265, the Latitude 7400 accomplished the method in 258 seconds. That’s a stable rating, beating out the Spectre x360 13, the ZenBook 14 however falling behind the ZenBook 14. Apparently, the Yoga C930 with the earlier technology of CPU managed a sooner 227 seconds.

We noticed almost 22 hours of battery life in our video looping take a look at.

The Latitude 7400’s Toshiba SSD was comparatively speedy, scoring 802 megabytes per second (MB/s) within the CrystalDiskMark 6 learn take a look at and 399 MB/s within the write take a look at. That’s sooner than the remainder of our comparability group, and it means the Dell gained’t decelerate when booting, launching apps, and opening and saving giant information.

General, you gained’t be upset with the Latitude 7400 2-in-1’s productiveness efficiency. Thermal administration was additionally superb, with the laptop computer retaining fan noise below management and the chassis cool. We by no means registered over 100 levels F anyplace on the chassis, even throughout our most intensive benchmark testing.

Highly effective in every part however graphics

You gained’t be shopping for the Latitude 7400 2-in-1 for gaming. Its Intel UHD 620 built-in graphics don’t provide a lot GPU efficiency. You’ll need to think about the Asus ZenBook Flip 14 with its discrete Nvidia GeForce MX150 GPU in case you want entry-level gaming in a 14-inch 2-in-1.

In accordance with the 3DMark Fireplace Strike artificial benchmark, the Latitude 7400 2-in-1 was simply barely behind comparable laptops. It scored 1,117, which is a couple of factors under most of our comparability machines. In Fortnite, the laptop computer managed 13 frames per second (FPS) at 1080p and excessive settings and 10 FPS at epic settings. Once more, that’s just a bit slower than the opposite laptop computer on our checklist with Intel UHD 620 graphics – and too gradual to be playable.

For those who want some additional graphical punch to your work, an choice just like the Dell XPS 15 will probably be a more sensible choice with its discrete graphics choices.

Once we say, “all-day battery life,” we imply nearly your entire 24 hours

Laptop computer distributors usually make inflated battery life claims based mostly on very particular checks operating in very restricted circumstances. Dell isn’t any totally different, asserting that the Latitude 7400 ought to final for as much as 26 hours — they usually managed to squeeze in an enormous 78 watt-hours of battery capability to again up their claims. As we famous within the show part, Dell additionally created its personal low-power show expertise that geared up our evaluate unit.

So, how shut does the Latitude 7400 come to such a lofty declare? The reply is: Nearer than regular.

We noticed nearly 22 hours in our video looping take a look at that performs a 1080p Avengers trailer till the battery runs out. That’s the longest we’ve seen, with the Microsoft Floor Ebook 2 15-inch (87 watt-hours) coming in second at round 21.5 hours. Our next-best end result was with the HP Spectre x360 13 (61 watt-hours), which lasted for 17.5 hours. Word that we ran our checks twice as a result of we inadvertently turned off ExpressSign-In through the first run, the place the Latitude 7400 lasted for nearly 24 hours.

Then, the Dell managed 14.Three hours in our net looking take a look at that runs by way of a sequence of advanced internet sites (it lasted for 15.6 hours with ExpressSign-in turned off). The Floor Ebook 2 lasted for an hour longer at 15.6 hours, and the Spectre x360 13 made it to 12.7 hours. In our most demanding take a look at, the Basemark net benchmark, the Latitude 7400 ran for six and a half hours (nearly an identical to our take a look at with ExpressSign-In turned off), in comparison with the Floor Ebook 2 that lasted simply as lengthy and the Spectre x360 13 that managed much less at 4 and a half hours.

Ultimately, the Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is an extremely long-lasting laptop computer that rivals the most effective we’ve examined. It will probably final the standard productiveness person as much as two full working days on a single cost. Think about that – go away the workplace on Monday morning with a full cost, and also you may simply have the ability to work by way of a very good portion of Tuesday with out plugging in. That’s wonderful.

Our Take

The Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is the world’s smallest 14-inch 360-degree convertible laptop computer, and it’s additionally the world’s longest-lasting (a minimum of, by our testing). That’s no small feat. It additionally advantages from a really helpful ExpressSign-in function that locks the laptop computer once you step away. To this point, it appeals to shoppers simply as a lot as its goal market of enterprise professionals.

The one downside: It’s priced for enterprise budgets, at a whopping $2,803 discounted. The $four,004 sticker value is sufficient to give the standard client a case of indigestion. For those who want your laptop computer to final for 2 working days on a single cost of the battery, with out sacrificing efficiency alongside the way in which, then that is the 2-in-1 for you – in case you can afford it.

Is there a greater different?

The HP Spectre x360 13 has a barely smaller show, nevertheless it rivals the Latitude 7400 in battery life. That’s, it may additionally final you right into a second working day, and it’s our longest-lasting 13-inch laptop computer. It’s additionally severely inexpensive at $1,520 ($1,420 on sale) for the same Eighth-gen Whiskey Lake Core i7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Intel’s low-power Full HD show.

If you wish to keep on with a 14-inch show, then the Lenovo Yoga C930 is an choice. It’s equally sturdy, nevertheless it’s caught on final 12 months’s Eighth-gen CPU and doesn’t have almost pretty much as good battery life. It lists for $1,800 ($1,412 on sale) for a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB PCIe SSD. That’s roughly half the worth when discounted, and also you get significantly better audio high quality within the cut price.

After all, in case you’re a businessperson, then you definately’re almost certainly going to take a minimum of a have a look at a Lenovo ThinkPad. Essentially the most related different amongst this iconic line of enterprise laptops is the ThinkPad X1 Yoga, a 2-in-1 with the identical type of 360-degree convertible design. The X1 Yoga is simply as rugged because the Latitude 7400 and is subjected to the identical MIL-STD-810g commonplace, nevertheless it doesn’t present almost the identical type of battery life. You’ll spend $2,400 ($2,160 on sale) for a equally configured X1 Yoga, besides the CPU would be the earlier technology Core i7-8650U with vPro.

How lengthy will it final?

The Latitude 7400 2-in-1 appears like it’s going to dwell by way of the apocalypse, and it has probably the most up-to-date elements. Even higher, Dell offers a superb Three-year guarantee that can hold you coated for for much longer than the same old client laptop computer’s 1-year guarantee.

Must you purchase it?

Sure, you probably have the cash. It’s the most effective Full HD 14-inch 360-degree convertible 2-in-1 you should buy, particularly if battery life and safety matter to you.