Notebook Review
Dell Latitude 5401 Review: Practical Business Laptop with Extra Performance Headroom
Editor note: This English review is an original adaptation by Notebook Center based on the source material from Notebook-Center.ru.
Overview
The Dell Latitude 5401 is a 14-inch business laptop built for office and corporate work. In this configuration, it combines an Intel Core i5-9400H processor, 8 GB of DDR4 memory, and a 256 GB SSD. The device also includes a fingerprint reader and Thunderbolt 3, which are practical features for daily professional use.
Technical Specifications
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-9400H (2.5 GHz) |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4 2666 MHz |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Display | 14-inch IPS, 1920x1080, matte |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 + NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2 GB GDDR5 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Audio | Waves MaxxAudio Pro, 2 speakers |
| Ports | 3x USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, RJ-45, microSD reader, combo audio jack |
| Webcam and Security | 1 MP webcam, fingerprint scanner |
| Battery | 4-cell Li-ion, 4250 mAh |
| Size and Weight | 323 x 216 x 20 mm, 1.53 kg |
| Operating System | Linux |
Design and Build
The chassis uses plastic and carbon fiber, with a matte black finish and rounded corners. The overall look is simple and business-oriented, without decorative elements. For a 14-inch model, the 1.53 kg weight and 20 mm thickness make it portable enough for regular travel between office, home, and meetings.
Display, Audio, and Webcam
The Full HD IPS panel offers wide viewing angles and a matte surface that helps reduce reflections. Color output is described as realistic, though not especially vivid. The stereo speakers are reasonably loud for office media use, while the 1 MP webcam is basic but acceptable for routine video calls.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard has a practical layout with backlighting, which helps in low-light work. Key travel is moderate, and the touchpad supports common multitouch gestures. A fingerprint scanner adds faster logins and extra convenience for business users.
Performance
The Core i5-9400H can handle office software, web workloads, and multimedia tasks without trouble. The combination of 8 GB RAM and SSD storage keeps everyday multitasking responsive. Graphics duties are split between Intel UHD Graphics 630 and GeForce MX150, with the NVIDIA chip offering better headroom for heavier visual tasks.
Ports and Battery Life
Connectivity is one of the strong points: USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, LAN, and microSD cover most office scenarios without adapters. The 4250 mAh battery is reported to deliver around 5 to 6 hours in light mixed use with reduced screen brightness, which is enough for part of a workday away from a charger.
Verdict
Dell Latitude 5401 is a practical business notebook with balanced performance, broad port selection, and useful security features. Its main strength is a work-focused feature set with stronger-than-basic hardware for professional tasks. The main compromise is battery life that is adequate rather than long for full-day mobile work.