What To Know
- The Latitude 7490 boasts a sleek, modern design with a silver-colored aluminum lid and a black, carbon fiber-like finish on the palm rest.
- The Latitude 7490 can be configured with up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, while the ThinkPad T480 offers up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM.
- The trackpoint, a small red nubbin located between the G and H keys, provides a unique and efficient way to navigate the cursor.
Choosing the right business laptop can be a daunting task, especially when faced with two powerhouses like the Dell Latitude 7490 and the ThinkPad T480. Both laptops are known for their durability, performance, and security features, making them popular choices for professionals across various industries. But which one comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key features, performance, design, and other factors to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality: A Tale of Two Styles
The Dell Latitude 7490 and ThinkPad T480 offer distinct design aesthetics. The Latitude 7490 boasts a sleek, modern design with a silver-colored aluminum lid and a black, carbon fiber-like finish on the palm rest. Its slim profile and lightweight construction make it easy to carry around.
The ThinkPad T480, on the other hand, embraces a more traditional design with a black matte finish and a classic ThinkPad aesthetic. Its sturdy build quality and reinforced hinges make it feel incredibly durable, perfect for frequent travelers.
Both laptops offer excellent build quality, but the Latitude 7490 edges out with its modern design and lightweight construction.
Display: Vivid Colors vs. Sharp Clarity
The Dell Latitude 7490 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display with a wide viewing angle and vibrant colors. It boasts a high contrast ratio, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and content creation.
The ThinkPad T480 offers a similar 14-inch Full HD display with a matte finish, which helps reduce glare and improve visibility in bright environments. While the ThinkPad T480’s display might not be as vibrant as the Latitude 7490’s, it provides excellent clarity and sharpness, making it perfect for productivity tasks.
Both laptops offer excellent displays, but the Latitude 7490’s vibrant colors and wide viewing angles make it a better choice for multimedia consumption.
Performance: Powering Through Workloads
Both the Dell Latitude 7490 and the ThinkPad T480 are equipped with powerful processors and ample RAM to handle demanding workloads. The Latitude 7490 can be configured with up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, while the ThinkPad T480 offers up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM.
In terms of storage, both laptops offer a variety of options, including SSDs and HDDs. The Latitude 7490 offers up to 2TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage, while the ThinkPad T480 offers up to 1TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
The performance difference between the two laptops is minimal, making it a close call. However, the ThinkPad T480’s higher RAM capacity and faster storage options give it a slight edge for demanding applications.
Keyboard and Touchpad: A Comfortable Typing Experience
Both laptops prioritize a comfortable typing experience. The Dell Latitude 7490 features a backlit keyboard with a generous key travel and a responsive feel. The touchpad is also responsive and supports multi-touch gestures.
The ThinkPad T480 is renowned for its legendary ThinkPad keyboard, which is known for its excellent tactile feedback and comfortable layout. The trackpoint, a small red nubbin located between the G and H keys, provides a unique and efficient way to navigate the cursor. The touchpad is also spacious and responsive.
Both laptops offer excellent keyboard and touchpad experiences, but the ThinkPad T480’s iconic keyboard and trackpoint give it a slight advantage for those who prioritize typing comfort and efficiency.
Battery Life: Staying Productive on the Go
The Dell Latitude 7490 boasts a battery life of up to 13 hours, while the ThinkPad T480 offers up to 12 hours of battery life. Both laptops offer excellent battery life for all-day productivity, but the Latitude 7490 edges out with its slightly longer runtime.
Connectivity and Ports: Staying Connected
Both laptops offer a comprehensive set of ports, including USB Type-C, USB 3.0, HDMI, and a microSD card reader. The Latitude 7490 also includes a Thunderbolt 3 port, while the ThinkPad T480 offers an optional WWAN (wireless wide area network) module for cellular connectivity.
Security and Reliability: Protecting Your Data
Both laptops prioritize security and reliability. The Dell Latitude 7490 features a variety of security features, including a fingerprint reader, facial recognition, and Dell’s ControlVault 2.0 for secure storage of sensitive data.
The ThinkPad T480 also boasts a fingerprint reader, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip for hardware-based security, and a dTPM (discrete TPM) chip for enhanced security.
Both laptops offer robust security features, but the Latitude 7490’s ControlVault 2.0 and facial recognition provide an extra layer of protection.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Laptop for You
Both the Dell Latitude 7490 and the ThinkPad T480 are excellent business laptops with unique strengths and weaknesses.
The Dell Latitude 7490 is the ideal choice for:
- Professionals who prioritize a sleek, modern design and a lightweight construction.
- Users who need vibrant colors and wide viewing angles for multimedia consumption and content creation.
- Those who require a longer battery life and robust security features.
The ThinkPad T480 is the ideal choice for:
- Users who value a durable, traditional design and a legendary ThinkPad keyboard.
- Professionals who need a sharp and clear display for productivity tasks.
- Those who prioritize a comfortable typing experience with the trackpoint.
Ultimately, the best laptop for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your priorities, such as design, performance, display, keyboard, and security features, to make an informed decision.
The Final Word: More Than Just a Laptop
Choosing between the Dell Latitude 7490 and the ThinkPad T480 is not just about picking the best laptop; it’s about finding the perfect match for your workflow and lifestyle. Both laptops offer exceptional performance, security, and reliability, making them worthy contenders for any professional. By carefully considering your priorities and weighing the pros and cons of each model, you can confidently choose the laptop that will help you achieve your goals.
Top Questions Asked
Q: Which laptop is better for graphic design?
A: The Dell Latitude 7490’s vibrant display and powerful graphics options make it a better choice for graphic design.
Q: Which laptop is better for travel?
A: The Dell Latitude 7490’s lightweight construction and long battery life make it more suitable for travel.
Q: Which laptop is better for security?
A: Both laptops offer excellent security features, but the Dell Latitude 7490’s ControlVault 2.0 and facial recognition provide an extra layer of protection.
Q: Which laptop is better for students?
A: Both laptops are suitable for students, but the ThinkPad T480’s legendary keyboard and trackpoint might be more appealing for those who spend a lot of time typing.
Q: Which laptop is more affordable?
A: The ThinkPad T480 is generally more affordable than the Dell Latitude 7490.
