Dell Latitude 5490 review
Dell Latitude 5490 — from 2017, 1.6 kg, performance 47.
Technical specifications
| Type | Business |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Screen | 14" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 7300U , Intel Core i5 8250U , Intel Core i5 8350U , Intel Core i7 8650U , Intel Core i3 7130U , Intel Core i7 8550U |
| Max. RAM | 32 GB |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
Performance scores
Where the Latitude 5490 stands
The Dell Latitude 5490 is a 2017 business laptop positioned in the ultra-budget tier at roughly $212, below the category median of $297. As with other 2016-2017 Latitude configurations in this comparison set, it carries an exceptional GPU outlier that defies the typical office-laptop profile. The GPU score of 45.9 is nearly twelve times the category median of 3.8 — placing it in mainstream graphics territory, rare for its price tier.
Graphics: an exceptional outlier
The 5490's GPU score of 45.9 is exceptional for an ultra-budget business laptop. This places it alongside laptops with entry-level dedicated graphics — hardware rarely seen in the Latitude line's mainstream configurations. In practical terms, the machine handles casual gaming at moderate-to-high settings, GPU-accelerated creative work, and video editing without difficulty. For a $212 business laptop, this graphics headroom is exceptional value.
The balanced overall profile
Unlike some siblings that pair the GPU outlier with a binding CPU constraint, the 5490 offers a relatively balanced overall package. The price is the lowest in the comparison set for a machine with this GPU tier, making it a standout value pick. The trade-off is simply age — eight years of service limits the remaining lifespan.
Price trajectory
From its launch price to $212 today, the 5490 has depreciated to the flat tail of its curve. As a 2017 machine, the depreciation is essentially complete; the remaining tail is a slow drift toward the price floor.
How it compares
In the $200-$230 refurbished business range, the 5490 has few peers on the GPU axis. The HP EliteBook 840 G5 at $217 and the Dell Latitude 3500 at $234 are direct competitors from the same era, but neither matches the 5490's GPU surplus. For buyers who need a cheap secondary laptop for GPU-accelerated tasks or casual gaming, the value proposition is exceptional.
Bottom line
The Latitude 5490 is a 2017 business laptop with an exceptional GPU surplus for its price tier. At $212, it offers mainstream-tier graphics capability that most competitors in its band cannot match. The trade-off is age — eight years of service limits the remaining lifespan. For buyers who need a cheap, capable machine for GPU-accelerated work or casual gaming, the value proposition is exceptional.
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⭐ What stands out
-
graphics performance is higher than typical business class (+200%) (mainstream tier).
top 25% of its category -
reliability is lower than typical business class (+29%) (low tier).
below class average -
price is lower than typical business class (+28.7%) (ultra-budget).
budget segment of category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: reliability ↔ price
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 46.5) ↔ price (median 297.4).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 60) ↔ overall performance (median 42).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 62.5) ↔ battery life (median 3.5).
Latitude 5490: worth buying in 2026?
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