Dell Latitude 3490 Review: A Reliable 14-Inch Work Laptop
Dell Latitude 3490, Ultra 7 165U, 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD, 14" FHD. Reliable, versatile laptop for everyday work, multitasking, and office use.
Introduction
The Dell Latitude 3490 is a business-focused laptop designed for professionals, students, and anyone who requires a dependable, portable, and productive device. Its 12-core Intel Core Ultra 7 165U processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB SSD make it a capable performer for day-to-day office tasks, research, and multimedia consumption.
By 2025, the Latitude 3490 has earned a reputation as a refurbished laptop that delivers strong value for money. While it cannot match the latest ultrabooks or Apple Silicon machines in raw performance, it remains a highly practical and cost-effective solution for those seeking a compact business laptop. Its combination of portability, build quality, and essential features makes it a reliable choice for users who prioritize efficiency and reliability over cutting-edge specifications.
This review will cover the Latitude 3490’s design, performance, display, keyboard, battery life, and connectivity, as well as how it compares with similar devices in today’s market.
Specifications Overview
| Feature | Dell Latitude 3490 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 165U, 12 cores |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X |
| RAM Expansion | No |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| SSD Expansion | No |
| GPU | Intel Integrated, shared memory |
| Display | 14 inches, 1920×1080, 60 Hz |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Dimensions | 32.2 × 21.5 × 1.79 cm |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Ports | USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Audio Jack |
Design and Build Quality
The Latitude 3490 adheres to Dell’s signature business design with a durable chassis and understated aesthetics. Its compact 14-inch form factor allows easy portability for commuting, travel, and remote work. Weighing just 1.5 kg, it strikes a balance between robustness and mobility.
The build quality is sturdy, featuring a rigid keyboard deck and stable hinges that withstand daily wear and tear. The matte finish resists fingerprints and keeps the laptop looking professional. Although it is not as ultra-slim or lightweight as some modern ultrabooks, the Latitude 3490’s design emphasizes function over form, providing a reliable device for business environments.
Compared to older Latitude models, the 3490 is slightly slimmer, lighter, and more refined, offering an excellent combination of portability and durability for office and academic use.
Display
The 14-inch Full HD display (1920×1080, 60Hz) offers crisp visuals and sharp text, which is a significant improvement over older 1366×768 panels. It provides sufficient clarity for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and video conferencing.
Colours are accurate enough for office productivity and multimedia consumption, though not suitable for professional photo editing or colour-critical tasks. The 60Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive interaction for daily tasks.
Overall, the display strikes a good balance between readability, portability, and performance for business and educational environments.
Performance and Everyday Usage
Powered by the 12-core Intel Core Ultra 7 165U processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, the Latitude 3490 is capable of handling multitasking, office applications, video streaming, and web browsing with multiple tabs.
The Intel Integrated GPU provides sufficient graphics performance for presentations, video playback, and light multimedia work. While this laptop is not intended for gaming or heavy graphical workloads, it consistently delivers smooth performance for productivity tasks and professional workflows.
The inclusion of a 512GB SSD drastically reduces boot times and improves application responsiveness. Even for refurbished units in 2025, users can expect quick startup, fast file access, and reliable performance in day-to-day office scenarios.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Dell’s Latitude keyboards are renowned for comfort and accuracy, and the 3490 is no exception. The keys are well-spaced with good tactile feedback, suitable for extended typing sessions such as writing reports, coding, or working on spreadsheets.
The trackpad is responsive, precise, and supports basic multi-touch gestures, including scrolling and zooming. While an external mouse is ideal for heavy usage, the built-in trackpad is entirely sufficient for regular navigation and productivity.
Battery Life
The Latitude 3490 delivers a solid battery performance, typically lasting 6 to 7 hours under normal office usage. This is suitable for a full workday of meetings, classes, or commuting without frequent charging.
For refurbished units in 2025, battery health may vary, but replacements are widely available and cost-effective. The energy-efficient Intel Ultra processor and SSD storage contribute to extended battery life, ensuring reliability for mobile professionals.
Compared to modern ultrabooks offering 10-12 hours, the Latitude 3490 falls slightly short but remains adequate for most users who balance mobility and performance.
Connectivity and Ports
The Latitude 3490 provides a well-rounded selection of business-centric ports, including:
- USB-C for fast data transfer and device compatibility
- USB-A for legacy peripherals and accessories
- HDMI for external displays and projectors
- Audio jack for headsets and conference calls
While it lacks Thunderbolt 4 or wireless display capabilities, the port arrangement ensures compatibility with most office equipment and external devices. For professionals relying on wired connections, the inclusion of multiple ports enhances versatility.
Security and Reliability
Security in the Latitude 3490 is based on standard Windows features, including password protection and encryption. While advanced biometric options like fingerprint readers may be absent on some models, the laptop’s durable construction ensures it withstands daily wear and travel.
Dell’s reputation for reliable business laptops makes the 3490 a dependable choice for students, professionals, and small businesses seeking a stable computing platform.
Why the Dell Latitude 3490 Still Matters in 2025
The Latitude 3490 remains relevant for several reasons:
- Compact 14-inch design suitable for commuting and travel
- Full HD display for sharp, clear visuals
- SSD storage for fast boot and load times
- Robust build quality for longevity
- Adequate performance for office, study, and professional applications
Its affordability, portability, and reliable performance make it a strong contender in the refurbished business laptop market.
Comparison with Similar Laptops
| Feature | Dell Latitude 3490 | Dell Pro 14 Plus | Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 3 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14S Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 165U | Intel Core Ultra 7 225U | Intel Core i7-1260P | Intel Core i7-1165G7 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| GPU | Intel Integrated | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Iris Xe | Nvidia T500 4GB |
| Display | 14", 1920×1080 | 14", 1920×1080 | 14", 1920×1200 | 14", 1920×1080 |
| Touchscreen | No | No | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 kg | 1.61 kg | 1.3 kg | 1.47 kg |
| Ports | USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Audio | USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Headphone | USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI | USB-C, HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 |
| Battery Life | 6-7 hours | 6-7 hours | 7-8 hours | 6-7 hours |
| Price (Refurbished) | Affordable | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Analysis: Compared to the Dell Pro 14 Plus, the Latitude 3490 offers higher storage and comparable RAM, making it suitable for multitasking. Against the ThinkPad T14s Gen 3, the 3490 is slightly heavier and lacks a higher-resolution display and advanced graphics, but it remains a budget-friendly option. The ThinkPad P14S Gen 2 adds a dedicated GPU and touchscreen, but at a higher price point, the 3490 retains value for basic to mid-level productivity needs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact 14-inch design for portability
- Full HD display enhances productivity
- SSD storage improves boot times and responsiveness
- Durable build for long-term use
- Comprehensive port selection for legacy and modern devices
Cons
- Integrated GPU limits graphics-intensive tasks
- Slightly heavier than some modern ultrabooks
- No touchscreen or high refresh rate
- Battery life is moderate compared to newer ultrabooks
Why Buying Refurbished Makes Sense
Purchasing a refurbished Dell Latitude 3490 provides excellent value. Refurbished units are tested, cleaned, and often upgraded with SSDs or batteries, ensuring performance and reliability.
Students, professionals, and small businesses benefit from affordability, solid performance, and durability. Additionally, buying refurbished promotes sustainability by extending the life of high-quality
hardware.
Conclusion
The Dell Latitude 3490 remains a reliable, portable, and cost-effective 14-inch business laptop in 2025. It delivers consistent performance for office, study, and professional workloads, with a durable build, Full HD display, and sufficient battery life for daily use.
For those who prioritise value, reliability, and portability, especially in refurbished units, the Latitude 3490 offers a compelling solution, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious professionals and students alike.
FAQs
Q: Is the Dell Latitude 3490 suitable for students in 2025?
A: Yes, it is excellent for office applications, research, and online learning tasks.
Q: Can it handle modern productivity software efficiently?
A: Yes, with a 12-core Intel Core Ultra processor, 16GB RAM, and SSD, it runs office applications, web browsing, and multimedia smoothly.
Q: Can the RAM be upgraded?
A: No, this model comes with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM that is not expandable.
Q: How long does the battery last on refurbished units?
A: Typically 6 to 7 hours, depending on battery condition. Replacement batteries can restore full capacity.
Q: Is it worth buying refurbished instead of new laptops?
A: Yes, it offers affordability, reliable performance, and sufficient features for most professional and student use cases.
