Dell Latitude E5400: At First Glance
The Dell Latitude E5400, a workhouse in the world of business laptops, has a rich history that dates back to its initial release. Introduced as part of Dell’s Latitude series, renowned for its reliability and performance, the E5400 has become a fixture in the cooperate world.
Launched in 2009, the Latitude E5400 was designed to cater to the needs of business professionals. Due to this, it offers a robust combination of durability, security features, and efficient performance.
Moreover, its sleek design, coupled with a focus on productivity, quickly established it as a reliable companion for professionals. However, considering the age of the laptop and how technology has advanced, does the E5400 still hold its own against newer models?
Or has it been overshadowed by the relentless march of technological progress? Let’s find out together!
Dell Latitude E5400: Design, Display, Ports, and Connectivity
As I lay my hands on the Dell Latitude E5400, my first impression is one of sturdiness. The design gives off a sense of professionalism, maintaining a classic look that has become synonymous with the Latitude series.
The sleek, charcoal-colored chassis offers an air of sophistication, making it clear that this laptop means business. Moreover, the durability of the E5400 is immediately evident.
The laptop boasts a robust build with a magnesium alloy chassis that can withstand the inevitable bumps of daily use. The matte finish not only adds a touch of elegance but also resists scratches, maintaining the laptop’s pristine appearance over time.
Furthermore, the hinges, a critical component often overlooked, prove to be robust and well-constructed. They effortlessly support the opening and closing of the laptop, promising durability through countless cycles.
This attention to detail is not merely aesthetic but also impacts the practicality of the device. A reliable hinge is essential for long-term use, preventing the gradual wear and tear that can plague less thoughtfully designed laptops.
Besides, a Dell logo with a glossy silver finish is tastefully placed on the laptop’s lid for a bit of flair. The logo is not flamboyant but rather serves as a mark of quality and reliability.
This subtle branding reinforces the E5400’s identity as a professional tool, free from unnecessary frills. That being said, once you open the lid, you will be greeted by a 14.1-inch display with either HD+ (1280 x 800) or WXGA+ (1440 x 900) resolution.
It is important to note that my review model features a 14.1-inch display with WXGA+ (1440 x 900) resolution. The WXGA+ resolution takes center stage, offering a step up in clarity compared to the standard HD+ option.
With this resolution option, the display provides a crisp and detailed canvas. This ensures that every spreadsheet, document, or presentation is showcased with precision.
This elevated resolution is particularly beneficial for professionals who demand a high level of detail in their daily tasks. However, colors could be slightly more vivid and accurate.
Nonetheless, the display’s brightness stands out, delivering a luminous quality that enhances visibility in various lighting conditions. Hence, whether working in a well-lit office or a dimly lit meeting room, the E5400’s screen remains comfortably readable.
This attribute significantly contributes to the laptop’s versatility, adapting to the dynamic environments professionals often find themselves in. Apart from its impressive brightness, the display maintains impressive viewing angles.
Due to this, color distortion is minimized even when viewed from off-center positions. This is a crucial aspect for professionals who collaborate in meetings or presentations.
Basically, it ensures that everyone in the room has a clear view of the content being shared. The wide viewing angles contribute to the laptop’s usability in collaborative work environments.
As I dive deeper into the Dell Latitude E5400, it’s impossible to overlook the chunky bezels that frame its display. The chunky bezels draw attention away from the screen and can be distracting.
Nevertheless, the thick bezels provide an additional layer of protection for the display, acting as a buffer against accidental impacts and bumps. Moreover, centered on the bottom bezel, the Dell logo maintains its discreet presence.
Sadly, the laptop doesn’t come with a webcam. Therefore, you will need to purchase an external webcam for video conferencing.
Moving forward, the E5400’s keyboard is a pleasant surprise, offering a tactile and comfortable typing experience. The keys are well-spaced, with a satisfying amount of travel and feedback.
The full-sized layout, complete with a numeric keypad, caters to professionals who require extensive data input. Also, the spill-resistant design adds a layer of practicality, ensuring that accidental liquid mishaps won’t spell disaster for your laptop.
The touchpad, located just below the keyboard, responds with precision to gestures. Additionally, its smooth surface allows for fluid movements, and the two dedicated buttons offer a quiet and reassuring click.
For users who prefer a more classic approach to navigation, the Latitude E5400 features a Trackpoint. Nestled in the center of the keyboard, this pointing stick allows for precise cursor control without lifting your hands from the keyboard.
The dedicated buttons below the spacebar complement the Trackpoint, offering a convenient alternative for users.
That aside, the audio system on the E5400 is surprisingly robust for a business-oriented laptop. The speakers, discreetly placed on both sides of the keyboard, deliver clear and balanced sound.
Whether you’re participating in a video conference or unwinding with some music after a long day, the sound system holds its own. The placement ensures that audio is projected towards the user, creating a more immersive experience
In terms of ports and connectivity, the Dell Latitude E5400 doesn’t hold back as it comes with a wealth of ports. On the left side, you will find two USB ports, an Ethernet port, a VGA port, and a Firewire port.
Meanwhile, the right side houses an optical disk drive, a card reader, two more USB ports, an audio jack, and a charging port.
When it comes to the dimension and weight, the Latitude E5400 measures 338 x 240 x 37 mm and weighs 2460 g. With this dimension and weight, the E5400 is undeniably heavy and chunky.
Thus, carrying it for extended periods or during frequent commutes might prove cumbersome. As a result, for professionals constantly on the move, the laptop’s dimensions could pose a practical challenge.
Comparatively, the laptop is way heavier than the Lenovo ThinkPad T480, which measures 336.6 x 232.5 x 19.9 mm and weighs 1580 g.
Overall, I will rate the Dell Latitude E5400 a seven out of ten in this design review section.
Dell Latitude E5400: Processor (CPU) Performance
The Dell Latitude E5400 offers users a choice between two distinct processors, catering to varying performance needs. These processor options include an Intel Celeron 900 processor and Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor.
The first processor option is a single-core processor with a 1 MB cache and a base frequency of 2.20 GHz. Furthermore, it is an entry-level option suitable for basic computing tasks.
While it may not boast robust capabilities, it provides a cost-effective solution for users with less demanding processing requirements. The Intel Core 2 Duo T9300, on the other hand, steps into the performance arena with its dual-core architecture.
It is worth mentioning that my review unit came with the Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor. Clocking in at 2.50 GHz, this processor delivers a significant boost in speed and efficiency compared to its Celeron counterpart.
“The substantial 6 MB cache with its dual-core architecture enhances its ability to handle multitasking and resource-intensive applications with ease. Honestly, the Core 2 Duo T9300 is a workhorse, designed to meet the demands of professionals who require a laptop capable of handling diverse tasks.”
Well, that is what I would be saying if we were still in the early 2010s. Sadly, in the fast-evolving world of technology, the Core 2 Duo T9300 has become outdated.
As a result, its performance is notably surpassed by more modern processors. Newer processors often bring improved performance, energy efficiency, and advanced features.
Thus, the Core 2 Duo T9300 CPU will struggle to adapt to the demanding applications and computing of today’s world. Nonetheless, the processor is very much suited for light productivity tasks, basic web browsing, or document editing.
Besides, I put the Dell Latitude E5400 with the Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor on a Cinebench R10 test to get more info on its performance. In case you’re wondering, the Cinebench R10 test focuses primarily on the CPU’s rendering performance.
It measures how quickly a processor can render a 3D scene, providing a numerical score that reflects its rendering speed. The benchmark offers both single-core and multi-core scores, enabling users to assess how well a CPU performs in different scenarios.
The single-core score represents the performance of a single CPU core during the rendering process. Meanwhile, the multi-core score takes into account the performance of all available CPU cores working together during rendering.
According to the test result, the Dell Latitude E5400 delivered a single-core score of 2993 points. On the other hand, it delivered a multi-core score of 5467 points.
While these scores are incredibly low by today’s standard, they are higher than the scores one of its closest rivals got. Specifically, the HP Compaq 6910p, which uses the same processor, recorded single-core and multi-core scores of 2892 points and 5245 points, respectively.
In conclusion, the Dell Latitude E5400 offers two CPUs that can barely compete in today’s world. While its Core 2 Duo T9300 CPU was a capable processor in its time, advancements in technology have rendered it less powerful.
Hence, the laptop is less suited for the demands of contemporary computing tasks. As a result, I will rate the Dell Latitude E5400 a seven out of ten in this CPU review section.
Dell Latitude E5400: Memory (RAM) Performance
The Dell Latitude E5400’s memory configurations raise considerations when evaluated in today’s demanding computing landscape. To start with, the laptop comes with a DDR2 SDRAM memory type and a standard memory of just 2 GB.
This type of memory has long been surpassed by more efficient and faster DDR3 and DDR4 technologies. Also, which laptop offers just 2 GB of standard memory today – none!
The standard 2 GB memory was reasonable for its time. However, it will struggle to meet the demands of contemporary applications and multitasking scenarios today.
Nevertheless, the presence of two memory slots provides a glimmer of upgradability for the E5400. As a result, you can upgrade the laptop up to 8 GB RAM – my review unit features 8 GB RAM.
The E5400’s maximum memory capacity of 8 GB was a commendable offering in its prime. Yet, by today’s standards, it will fall short for users running resource-intensive applications, multitasking extensively, or engaging in modern content creation tasks.
Nonetheless, with 8 GB RAM, the E5400 can still handle basic multitasking. For instance, the laptop can keep its cool while running seven Chrome tabs simultaneously.
However, you should expect delays and potential slowdowns as the system juggles between the Chrome tabs and other applications. Additionally, engaging in heavy multitasking beyond a few browser tabs will lead to noticeable performance bottlenecks.
To get more insights into the laptop’s memory performance, I conducted a PCMark 05 test. PCMark 05 test measures how well a computer can handle everyday applications and workloads.
At the end of the test, the Dell Latitude E5400 scored 4893 points. Unfortunately, this score wasn’t enough to outperform the Sony Vaio VGN-SZ71WN/C, which scored 5320 points.
To conclude this memory review section, I will rate the Dell Latitude E5400 a seven out of ten.
Dell Latitude E5400: Storage Options and Performance
The storage options of the Dell Latitude E5400 offer a glimpse into the technology landscape of its time. It features traditional spinning hard disk drives (HDDs) with a choice between 7200 RPM and 5400 RPM.
The 7200 RPM (rotations per minute) SATA HDD was considered a high-speed option in the laptop world during the E5400’s release. Nevertheless, with a maximum capacity of 160 GB, it was already on the lower end in terms of storage space.
The 5400 RPM SATA HDD, with a larger maximum capacity of 250 GB, provided users with more storage space. However, it achieved that at the cost of slightly reduced rotational speed compared to the 7200 RPM option.
The speed of a hard drive plays a crucial role in determining its performance. Generally, a higher RPM indicates faster data access and transfer speeds.
Regardless, the speed of both storage options will fall behind the speeds achievable with modern Solid State Drives (SSDs). In today’s world, where SSDs dominate the storage landscape, the performance of traditional HDDs, even at 7200 RPM, is notably sluggish.
For instance, the average transfer speed for HDDs is 80 MB/s to 160 MB/s. The average transfer speed for SSD, on the other hand, is 200 MB/s to 550 MB/s.
Hence, tasks that involve quick data retrieval, such as launching applications, will be noticeably slow compared to laptops with SSDs. Moreover, modern software and operating systems are optimized for faster storage mediums.
As a result, the E5400’s HDDs might find themselves struggling to keep pace. Besides, the maximum storage capacity that both storage options offer will be limited for a lot of users these days.
In conclusion, the storage options of the Dell Latitude E5400, with their spinning HDDs, offer a reminiscent view of the past. While suitable for certain tasks, their performance limitations are magnified in today’s fast-paced computing environment
Thus, I will rate the Dell Latitude E5400 a six out of ten.
Dell Latitude E5400: Graphics Card Performance
The Dell Latitude E5400 features the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (GMA 4500MHD). It is an integrated graphics solution, meaning it relies on shared system memory rather than having dedicated video memory.
Due to this, it is only suited for basic graphics tasks and everyday applications. Also, the GMA 4500MHD can handle older games and less demanding titles with modest graphics requirements.
Specifically, it can handle games from its release period, such as World of Warcraft or Sims 3, in modest settings. However, recent or graphically demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be a formidable challenge for the GMA 4500MHD.
These games are designed for dedicated graphics solutions and would not even run on the Dell Latitude E5400. To provide further detail on the laptop’s GPU performance, I carried out a 3DMark 05 test.
3DMark 05 is part of the 3DMark benchmark suite for assessing the graphics and gaming performance of computer systems. At the end of the test, the laptop scored 1011 points.
Compared to a laptop from its era, the Dell Latitude E5400 has a slightly better performance. Specifically, the HP Compaq 6910p which uses the same GPU scored 919 points on the 3DMark 05 test.
In conclusion, the laptop’s GPU caters to users whose primary needs are around productivity and basic multimedia consumption. However, for users seeking a laptop capable of handling modern graphical tasks, content creation, or gaming, the GMA 4500MHD will prove inadequate.
Thus, I will rate the Dell Latitude E5400 a seven out of ten.
Dell Latitude E5400: Battery Life and Performance
The Dell Latitude E5400 offers several battery options providing users with a range of choices to suit their needs. These include a 4-cell 37 WHr Lithium-Ion battery, a 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium-Ion battery, and a 9-cell 85 WHr Lithium-Ion battery.
However, this review focuses on the Dell Latitude E5400 with the 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium-Ion battery. On a web surfing battery test, the 6-cell 56 WHr battery showcases impressive stamina.
Lasting 6 hours and 40 minutes, it ensures that users can seamlessly navigate the digital landscape without the constant need to charge. This level of endurance is particularly advantageous for professionals on the go.
It empowers users to tackle a full day’s work without the need to constantly look for a charging source. In comparison, this Dell laptop has a better battery life than the HP Compaq 6910p, which lasts just 4 hours on the web surfing test.
Due to this, I will rate the Dell Latitude E5400 an eight out of ten in the battery department.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Dell Latitude E5400 does not come with a backlit keyboard. It features a standard keyboard without backlighting.
The Dell Latitude E5400 comes with integrated graphics that isn’t ideal for gaming. It may handle older or less demanding games, but it is not suitable for modern, graphics-intensive gaming.
No, the Dell Latitude E5400 does not come with a built-in webcam. Users needing a webcam for video conferencing may need to use an external USB webcam.
The Dell Latitude E5400 is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
Dell released the Latitude E5400 in 2009.
Conclusion
In wrapping up the Dell Latitude E5400 review, let’s cut to the chase. While this laptop was a sturdy workhorse in its prime, it’s like that reliable old car you’ve had for years.
It might still get you from point A to B but don’t expect it to compete with the sleek models on the road today.
So, if you’re on a tight budget and your computing needs are as basic as scrolling through documents, the E5400 might be a practical option. However, if your daily tasks involve anything beyond the basics – like running modern applications and attempting to play anything more advanced than Solitaire – you’re likely in for some frustration.
And let’s not even get started on its absence of a webcam – it’s 2024, folks, and virtual meetings are the norm. You’ll end up having to invest in an external webcam, and that’s just one more thing to carry around.
Besides, the laptop is heavy. Therefore, carrying it around feels like lugging a brick.
I trust this Dell Latitude E5400 review has offered valuable insights. Should you find it beneficial, kindly share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
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