Dell Latitude 5490 · Intel Core i5 (7th Gen) · 14" HD · 8 GB / 256 GB SSD

Business laptops are built to last far longer than consumer ones — and this Dell Latitude 5490 is a good example. The Latitude 5000 series is Dell's mainstream business laptop — the reliable middle of the range that most companies roll out to their staff. It balances build quality, ports and price very well. The 5490 is the 8th-gen update to the popular 5480 — same dependable body, twice the processor cores.

The Core i5 is the sweet spot for most people — quick enough for multitasking, Office, coding and online classes, without the extra cost of an i7. The 7th-generation chip is a refinement of the 6th — slightly faster, better at video playback, and very comfortable for office work and study. With 8 GB of memory, switching between Chrome, Word and Zoom stays smooth. A 256 GB SSD keeps everything snappy — no waiting around for the hard drive. The 14-inch HD screen is fine for documents, browsing and video.

Build and everyday use

Sturdy 14-inch body around 1.5–1.7 kg, with a full set of ports including HDMI and USB-A. Comfortable keyboard with good travel; many units are backlit. It runs Windows 10 Pro. One honest note: Microsoft ended free security updates for Windows 10 in October 2025, so this is best for offline or office-network use, or enrol it in Microsoft's paid Extended Security Updates. Ask us if you'd prefer a Windows 11 option.

Upgrades

Most 5000-series models have two RAM slots and a standard M.2 SSD, so they're easy to upgrade.

Who it suits

Office work, study, coding and small businesses. It sits in our picks for students, schools, small businesses.

Condition and what's in the box

Grade A- means it may have light scuffs or small marks on the lid or base, nothing that affects use. Every unit is tested on our checklist, securely wiped, cleaned and shipped with a compatible charger, a GST invoice and 12-month warranty.