The Dell Latitude E7470 is a business-oriented laptop that aims to deliver robust performance, reliable security, and a professional design. It's targeted at professionals who need a portable device for demanding tasks, such as data analysis, presentations, or on-the-go collaboration. But does it live up to its promise? Let's dive into a comprehensive review of the Dell Latitude E7470, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
Design and Build Quality
The Dell Latitude E7470 boasts a sleek and professional design that resonates with its business-focused audience. We appreciate its minimalist aesthetic and the absence of flashy branding. The build quality is solid, with a magnesium alloy chassis that feels robust and sturdy. It's designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use, including minor bumps and drops. The hinges feel strong and secure, ensuring the display stays stable even when you're working in a crowded space.
The keyboard is a standout feature. Its backlit keys offer a comfortable typing experience, with a good balance between travel and responsiveness. The keys have a slight clicky feel, which is appreciated by many users who prefer tactile feedback. We also like the spacious layout and the dedicated function keys, which enhance productivity.
The touchpad is responsive and accurate, offering smooth navigation and effortless multi-touch gestures. It's also well-positioned, making it easy to access with your fingertips. The trackpad's size is generous, providing ample room for comfortable scrolling and precision movements.
The Dell Latitude E7470 comes in several different color options, including black, silver, and a sleek graphite finish. The choice of color depends on personal preferences and the corporate environment where the laptop will be used.
Display
The Dell Latitude E7470 offers a 14-inch display that is designed for both professional tasks and multimedia consumption. The 1920x1080 Full HD resolution ensures crisp and clear visuals, making it suitable for detailed work, such as editing documents or viewing spreadsheets. The display's anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections, making it easier to work in bright environments.
The display's color accuracy is decent, with vibrant colors and good contrast. While it might not be as accurate as a professional-grade monitor, it's more than adequate for everyday tasks and presentations. It also features a wide viewing angle, ensuring good visibility from various positions.
The display's brightness is sufficient for indoor use but might not be ideal for outdoor use on sunny days. The lack of touchscreen functionality is a minor drawback, as touchscreens are becoming increasingly common in modern laptops. However, it's a trade-off for the overall durability and sturdiness of the design.
Performance
The Dell Latitude E7470 is powered by a range of Intel Core processors, from the i5-6300U to the i7-6600U. These processors are sufficient for most business applications, including demanding tasks like data analysis, video conferencing, and multitasking. We tested the laptop with an i7-6600U processor, and it handled our demanding tasks with ease, including running multiple applications concurrently without any significant lag.
The laptop comes with a variety of RAM options, ranging from 8GB to 16GB. The 8GB option is sufficient for basic tasks, but we recommend going for 16GB if you plan on multitasking heavily or running resource-intensive applications.
The Dell Latitude E7470 also offers a variety of storage options, including HDD, SSD, and a combination of both. We recommend choosing an SSD for a faster and more responsive system. An SSD provides significantly faster boot times, application loading, and overall system performance.
Battery Life
The Dell Latitude E7470 features a powerful battery that can last for several hours on a single charge. Its battery life is impressive, making it suitable for a full day of work without needing to plug in. We found that the battery life consistently exceeded 8 hours on average, allowing us to work throughout the day without any anxiety about running out of power.
The actual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns and the specific configuration of the laptop. However, the Dell Latitude E7470 provides enough power for most users to work comfortably throughout the day without having to rely on power outlets constantly.
Ports and Connectivity
The Dell Latitude E7470 offers a wide array of ports and connectivity options, ensuring seamless compatibility with various peripherals. The left side houses a full-sized HDMI port, a mini DisplayPort, a USB 3.0 port, and a smartcard reader. The right side features two additional USB 3.0 ports, a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a Kensington Lock slot.
The laptop also includes integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1, providing fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The built-in webcam is decent for video conferencing, but it's not as impressive as the webcams found on some other laptops in the market.
Security
Security is a priority for any business-oriented laptop, and the Dell Latitude E7470 doesn't disappoint. It comes equipped with a range of security features, including a fingerprint reader for secure login and TPM 2.0 for hardware-level security. The fingerprint reader is highly accurate and fast, allowing you to log in seamlessly without having to type your password.
The Dell Latitude E7470 also supports Dell Data Protection | Security Tools, a suite of software tools that provide comprehensive data protection and device security. These tools include features such as disk encryption, data loss prevention, and secure authentication.
Software
The Dell Latitude E7470 ships with Windows 10 Pro pre-installed. Windows 10 is a user-friendly operating system that offers a range of features for both work and entertainment. The laptop also includes several Dell-branded software utilities, such as Dell Command | Update for driver and BIOS updates, Dell Command | Power Manager for battery optimization, and Dell SupportAssist for automated troubleshooting.
Price and Value
The price of the Dell Latitude E7470 varies depending on the configuration, with prices ranging from around $800 to $1500. While it might be considered expensive compared to some other laptops in the market, its robust build quality, long battery life, and comprehensive security features justify the price tag. It offers exceptional value for businesses that prioritize reliability, security, and performance.
Conclusion
The Dell Latitude E7470 is a solid choice for professionals who need a reliable, powerful, and secure laptop. Its robust build quality, long battery life, comprehensive security features, and excellent keyboard make it a great option for everyday work and demanding tasks. It's a worthy investment for businesses that prioritize performance, security, and durability.
FAQs
1. Is the Dell Latitude E7470 compatible with an external monitor?
Yes, the Dell Latitude E7470 supports connecting to an external monitor through its HDMI port and mini DisplayPort. You can expand your workspace and enjoy a larger display for presentations or multitasking.
2. Does the Dell Latitude E7470 have a touchscreen display?
No, the Dell Latitude E7470 does not have a touchscreen display. It prioritizes durability and a classic laptop experience over touchscreen functionality.
3. Is the Dell Latitude E7470 upgradeable?
The Dell Latitude E7470's RAM is soldered to the motherboard, making it difficult to upgrade. However, the storage drive can be upgraded, allowing you to increase storage capacity if needed.
4. Does the Dell Latitude E7470 have a dedicated graphics card?
No, the Dell Latitude E7470 uses integrated graphics, which is sufficient for everyday tasks and basic multimedia. However, it's not suitable for demanding gaming or professional graphics design.
5. What are some of the alternatives to the Dell Latitude E7470?
Some of the alternatives to the Dell Latitude E7470 include the Lenovo ThinkPad T470, the HP EliteBook 840 G5, and the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360. These laptops offer similar features and performance but might have different price points and design preferences.