Dell Latitude 7490 14" vs Lenovo ThinkPad T490 14"

The Dell Latitude 7490, released in 2018, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490, launched in 2019, are both 14-inch business-oriented laptops designed for productivity and reliability. While sharing a similar form factor and running the Windows operating system, the ThinkPad T490 generally offers more recent internal components and a wider array of display options compared to its Dell counterpart.

Both the Dell Latitude 7490 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 are built with business-grade durability in mind, designed for extended use in professional environments. The ThinkPad T490, being released a year later, benefits from a slightly longer expected software support window.

• Release Timeline: The Dell Latitude 7490 was released in 2018, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 followed in 2019. This difference means the T490 will likely receive official operating system updates and security patches for a slightly longer period.
• Build Quality: Both laptops feature robust construction. The Latitude 7490 utilizes a magnesium alloy chassis, with some configurations offering a carbon-fiber lid, contributing to its durable feel. The ThinkPad T490 also employs durable materials, often a magnesium alloy and carbon fiber hybrid, and is subjected to military-grade testing for resilience against various environmental conditions.
• Repairability: Both models are designed with serviceability in mind. Key components such as the battery, M.2 SSD, and RAM are generally accessible and replaceable in both the Latitude 7490 and the ThinkPad T490, allowing for maintenance and upgrades to extend their practical lifespan. The Latitude 7490 also features a modular power jack, which can be a reliability advantage.

When evaluating performance, both laptops offer capabilities suitable for everyday business tasks, but the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 often provides configurations with a slight edge in processing power and memory capacity due to its newer release.

• Processor Capabilities: The Dell Latitude 7490 typically features 7th or 8th generation Intel Core processors. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490, on the other hand, can be configured with 8th or 10th generation Intel Core processors, which can translate to improved efficiency and slightly faster performance for demanding applications and multitasking.
• Memory and Storage: Both laptops utilize fast SSD storage for quick boot times and application loading. The Latitude 7490 supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM across two slots. The ThinkPad T490 offers greater flexibility, with some RAM soldered to the motherboard but also including an additional SO-DIMM slot, allowing for a total of up to 48GB of RAM, which can be beneficial for users running numerous applications simultaneously or working with large datasets.
• Battery Behavior: Battery life for both models can vary significantly based on configuration and usage. The Latitude 7490 typically comes with a 60 Wh battery, offering around 8-9 hours of use, with some low-power panel options extending this further. The ThinkPad T490 features a 50 Wh integrated battery, providing up to 16.1 hours under specific test conditions, with real-world usage often ranging from 7 to 11 hours depending on the display and workload. It also supports Rapid Charge technology for quicker power replenishment.

The display experience on these 14-inch laptops can differ, with the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 offering a broader range of advanced panel options that cater to more specific visual needs.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Latitude 7490 and ThinkPad T490 commonly feature 14-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS displays, providing clear visuals and good viewing angles. However, the ThinkPad T490 distinguishes itself by offering additional high-resolution options, including a WQHD (2560x1440) IPS panel with Dolby Vision HDR, which delivers sharper images and enhanced color reproduction.
• Brightness and Clarity: While the Latitude 7490's display generally offers adequate brightness, some users have noted that certain configurations might have below-average brightness levels. The ThinkPad T490, especially with its WQHD options, can achieve higher brightness levels, up to 500 nits, making it more suitable for varied lighting conditions, including outdoor use.
• Specialized Features: The ThinkPad T490 also includes options like a PrivacyGuard display, which limits viewing angles to protect sensitive on-screen information from onlookers. Both typically feature standard 60Hz refresh rates, suitable for productivity tasks.

For communication and media consumption, both the Dell Latitude 7490 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 provide standard features expected in business laptops, focusing on functionality for virtual meetings and general audio.

• Webcam and Video Quality: Both laptops are equipped with HD (720p) webcams, suitable for video conferencing and online collaboration. The ThinkPad T490 offers an optional IR camera, which can enable facial recognition for secure login through Windows Hello.
• Microphone and Audio Output: Both models typically include dual-array microphones designed to capture clear audio during calls. For audio output, the speakers on both devices are generally positioned for business use, providing clear sound for conference calls and casual media playback. Some users have noted the Latitude 7490's speakers to be decent, and its headphone jack performance as good. The ThinkPad T490's sound system is described as decent, suitable for video conferences and casual movie watching.
• Keyboard Experience: The ThinkPad T490 is widely praised for its keyboard, known for its comfortable typing experience, deep key travel, and quiet operation, often considered a benchmark for laptop keyboards. The Latitude 7490 also offers a comfortable keyboard with good key travel, though some users might find the keys less concave compared to the ThinkPad.