Dell Latitude 7490 Review: A Reliable Business Laptop
DELL Latitude 7490
Dell Latitude 7490 Review: Still a Smart Buy in 2025?
The Dell Latitude 7490 is one of those business laptops that aged surprisingly well. Even in 2025, it remains a popular choice among students, programmers, office users, freelancers, and people looking for a dependable machine without spending too much. In this detailed review, we’ll explore its performance, build quality, real-world usage, and whether the Latitude 7490 is still worth buying today.
 |
| Dell Latitude 7490 business laptop on a desk with a minimalist office setup |
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Dell Latitude 7490 was originally launched as a premium business-class laptop in Dell’s renowned Latitude lineup. Known for its durability, high security features, long battery life, and smooth performance, the 7490 quickly became a favorite for professionals. Today, refurbished models are widely available, making it a cost-effective option for users who need a professional machine without the premium price tag.
If you’re searching for a reliable laptop for work, study, coding, or office tasks, this detailed guide will help you decide whether the Latitude 7490 is still worth buying.
Key Features of Dell Latitude 7490
-
Intel 8th-Gen processors (Core i5 & i7 available)
-
Excellent keyboard
-
Thunderbolt 3 (optional)
-
Lightweight design (1.4 kg)
Design & Build Quality
The design is classic Latitude: minimalist, strong, and built to last.
Premium Build
The chassis uses magnesium alloy, making it durable yet lightweight. You can open the lid with one hand, and the hinges feel solid even after years of use.
Business-Class Reliability
Latitude laptops are designed for IT departments and enterprise use, so they go through strict durability testing. The 7490 is spill-resistant, heat-resistant, and built for long-term usage.
Display Quality
The Dell Latitude 7490 comes with a 14-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display.
Highlights
-
IPS panel with good viewing angles
-
Matte finish (anti-glare)
-
Decent brightness for indoor use
It’s not a color-critical display, so graphic designers may find it limited, but for coding, writing, watching videos, or business tasks, it performs very well.
Performance Review
Powered by Intel’s 8th Gen U-series processors, the Latitude 7490 remains very capable for 2025 workloads.
Benchmarks & Real Usage
-
Intel Core i7-8650U and Core i5-8350U deliver smooth multitasking
-
NVMe SSD reduces boot time significantly
-
Handles office software, Chrome, Zoom, Teams, and lightweight editing easily
This laptop is NOT designed for heavy video editing or gaming, but for productivity tasks it is extremely reliable.
Battery Life
Battery life varies depending on the condition and model, but typically:
-
6–8 hours on light usage
-
4–5 hours on mixed usage
-
10+ hours on extended battery variants
Latitude series always had strong battery performance, and the 7490 continues that tradition.
Keyboard & Trackpad
Keyboard
-
Backlit
-
Comfortable key travel
-
Ideal for long typing sessions
-
Perfect for programmers & writers
Trackpad
Smooth, responsive, and supports Windows Precision Drivers — making gestures flawless.
Connectivity & Ports
The Dell Latitude 7490 includes a rich set of connectivity options:
-
1x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3 optional)
-
Smart Card reader (optional)
-
SIM slot (some versions)
This makes it perfect for users who still rely on wired connectivity for work environments.
Speakers & Camera Quality
Speakers
Clear enough for meetings, movies, and podcasts, but not exceptionally loud.
Webcam
720p webcam that works well for video calls, though not as sharp as modern built-in cameras.
Real-World Usage Case Studies
1. Programmer Using VS Code & Docker
A freelance developer reported that the i7 variant with 16GB RAM handles VS Code, GitHub Desktop, and Docker containers effectively. Not meant for heavy builds, but perfect for everyday coding.
2. Office User Running Excel & Zoom
A corporate employee used the 7490 for Excel modeling + daily Zoom meetings. The laptop stayed cool and delivered 6+ hours battery backup.
3. Student Using Productivity Apps
For students who need Google Docs, Canva, and research browsing, the 7490 provides everything required with fast performance and a comfortable keyboard.
 |
| Close-up view of Dell Latitude 7490 keyboard and trackpad with backlit keys |
Pricing in 2025 (USA, UK, Pakistan)
Prices vary based on condition and specifications.
USA
-
$180 – $280 (Refurbished)
UK
-
£150 – £220
Pakistan
-
PKR 32,000 – PKR 45,000
(Depending on RAM/SSD and overall condition)
Compared to modern laptops, the Latitude 7490 offers incredible value for money.
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
Excellent build quality
-
Great keyboard
-
Affordable in 2025
-
Good battery life
-
NVMe SSD support
-
Lightweight & portable
Cons
-
Older design
-
Not suitable for heavy gaming
-
Webcam quality is average
-
Some models lack Thunderbolt 3
Conclusion
The Dell Latitude 7490 continues to be one of the best budget business laptops available today. Its strong build, comfortable keyboard, reliable battery, and smooth performance make it a great option for students, remote workers, office employees, and freelancers.
If you want a dependable laptop without spending a lot, the Dell Latitude 7490 is still a smart buy in 2025 — especially if your work revolves around productivity, browsing, writing, coding, or office tasks.