The Dell E7470, part of Dell’s Latitude series, is a top-tier business laptop designed to cater to the needs of professionals. Known for its durability, performance, and sleek design, the Dell E7470 offers an excellent balance between portability and functionality. In this article, we will explore the key features, specifications, and reasons why the Dell E7470 stands out among business laptops.
Overview of the Dell E7470
The Dell E7470 was introduced as a business-focused ultrabook, combining power, security features, and a sleek design. It caters to business professionals who require a device that can handle demanding workloads while maintaining a portable and lightweight form factor. The laptop is part of Dell’s Latitude line, known for its durability, making it ideal for frequent travelers and office-based professionals alike.
Key Features
- Processor Options: The Dell E7470 is powered by Intel’s 6th generation Core processors (i5 or i7), ensuring that it can manage various tasks with ease.
- Display: It comes with a 14-inch display, available in HD, FHD, and QHD resolutions, providing users with crisp and vibrant visuals.
- Battery Life: The laptop offers up to 10 hours of battery life, which is more than sufficient for a full day of work on a single charge.
- Security: With advanced security features like a fingerprint reader, smart card reader, and TPM, the Dell E7470 prioritizes the security of its users’ data.
Design and Build Quality
The Dell E7470 is designed with portability and durability in mind. Weighing approximately 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg), it is light enough to be carried around effortlessly, yet its build quality ensures it can withstand the rigors of travel. The laptop is constructed with a carbon-fiber reinforced chassis, making it both sturdy and stylish. The soft-touch matte finish adds to its premium feel, while the magnesium alloy build enhances its durability.
Keyboard and Touchpad
One of the standout features of the Dell E7470 is its keyboard. The chiclet-style keyboard is spill-resistant and provides a comfortable typing experience, ideal for long hours of work. The keys are well-spaced, and the tactile feedback ensures minimal typing fatigue.
The precision touchpad complements the keyboard, offering smooth and accurate navigation. It also supports multi-touch gestures, making it easier to navigate through documents and web pages.
Display Options
The Dell E7470 offers several display options to cater to different user preferences. The standard model comes with an HD (1366 x 768) display, but higher configurations offer FHD (1920 x 1080) and QHD (2560 x 1440) screens. The FHD and QHD options provide better color accuracy, making them ideal for users who need to work with visuals or enjoy high-definition media.
The 14-inch screen size is ideal for productivity, offering enough screen real estate without compromising portability. Furthermore, the anti-glare coating ensures that the laptop can be used comfortably in brightly lit environments without distracting reflections.
Performance and Hardware
At the heart of the Dell E7470 lies Intel’s 6th generation Skylake processors, with options for either an i5 or i7 CPU. This ensures the laptop has enough power to handle multitasking, web browsing, and running resource-intensive software. Paired with 8GB to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the laptop provides smooth performance even when handling multiple applications simultaneously.
Storage
The Dell E7470 comes with SSD storage options, ranging from 128GB to 512GB. The SSD ensures faster boot times and improved overall system responsiveness, allowing users to open and transfer files quickly. Additionally, the use of SSDs contributes to the laptop’s lightweight design, as SSDs are smaller and more power-efficient than traditional HDDs.
Graphics
While the Dell E7470 is not designed for gaming, it comes with integrated Intel HD Graphics 520, which can handle basic graphical tasks and video playback with ease. It is more than sufficient for office work, presentations, and even light media editing.
Connectivity and Ports
For business professionals, connectivity is a crucial aspect of a laptop. The Dell E7470 offers a wide range of ports to ensure seamless connection to various devices and networks. The laptop includes:
- 3 x USB 3.0 ports
- HDMI port
- Mini DisplayPort
- SD card reader
- Smart card reader
- Headphone/microphone combo jack
This array of ports ensures that users can connect to external displays, storage devices, and peripherals without needing additional adapters.
Wireless and Network Options
The Dell E7470 supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac, offering fast and reliable wireless internet connectivity. It also includes Bluetooth 4.1 for connecting wireless devices such as headsets or keyboards. Additionally, the laptop has an optional 4G LTE module, allowing users to stay connected on the go, even in areas without Wi-Fi access.
Battery Life
Battery life is a significant factor for business laptops, and the Dell E7470 does not disappoint in this area. The laptop comes with a 4-cell 55Wh battery, which can provide up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, depending on the tasks being performed. This makes the Dell E7470 ideal for professionals who need a reliable laptop that lasts through long workdays or international flights without needing to recharge frequently.
Security Features
Security is a priority for business users, and the Dell E7470 offers several advanced features to ensure the safety of your data. These include:
- Fingerprint Reader: Offers an additional layer of protection by allowing secure and easy logins.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM): Ensures hardware-based security by encrypting sensitive data.
- Smart Card Reader: Provides extra security for businesses requiring smart card authentication.
- Dell Data Protection: Pre-installed security software ensures end-to-end data encryption, malware prevention, and secure authentication.
Final Verdict: Is the Dell E7470 the Right Business Laptop for You?
The Dell E7470 is an excellent choice for professionals who need a powerful, secure, and portable laptop. Its combination of a lightweight design, robust build, and strong performance make it ideal for business users who are always on the move. The long battery life, multiple security features, and variety of display options further enhance its appeal.
While it may not be the best option for gaming or heavy graphic design tasks, the Dell E7470 excels in office environments, offering a reliable and efficient solution for business computing needs. With its well-rounded features and competitive price point, the Dell E7470 remains a top contender in the business laptop market.
