Dell Latitude 7420 x360 Review — 11th Gen i7, 16/32GB, 512GB SSD
Excerpt: I test the Dell Latitude 7420 x360 — a 14" convertible with 11th Gen i7, Iris Xe, and up to 32GB LPDDR4x RAM. This review covers real-world performance, battery life, thermals, ports, and which configuration (16GB vs 32GB / touch vs non-touch) best suits your workflow.
Introduction — why I looked at the 7420
When I first opened the Dell Latitude 7420 x360, the design felt refined: light, premium, and business-focused. Dell’s Latitude line has always targeted professionals who need durability, security, and manageable total cost of ownership — and the 7420 continues that tradition while adding modern connectivity and a convertible form factor that actually gets used in meetings and presentations.
Design & build
The 7420’s chassis is a carefully balanced blend of strength and portability. At roughly 1.2kg it’s one of those laptops I don’t mind carrying all day. The 360° hinge is tight but friendly — tablet mode and tent mode are practical rather than gimmicky. The keyboard has good travel and backlighting, and the trackpad is responsive. Overall the unit communicates premium intent without feeling fragile.
Display: everyday clarity, touch where it matters
The 14" Full HD touch panel delivers sharp text and accurate colors for documents, web work, and streaming. If you pick the touch/x360 model you get additional flexibility: drawing quick notes with a stylus, presenting in tent mode, and better hands-on reviews. Brightness levels are good enough for indoor use and most well-lit meeting rooms; for very bright outdoor use, consider a higher-nit configuration where available.
Performance: i7 + Iris Xe — sensible, snappy, and modern
With the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 and Iris Xe integrated graphics, the 7420 is more than adequate for business tasks. I measured quick app launches, comfortable multitasking with 8–12 browser tabs and multiple office apps open, and smooth video conferencing. Iris Xe improves light creative tasks — think photo edits and simple video timelines — although this is not a dedicated creative workstation.
16GB vs 32GB — which should you choose?
For most professionals, 16GB LPDDR4x gives excellent day-to-day performance. I recommend 32GB only if you run virtual machines, large local databases, heavy Chrome tab usage, or specialized engineering/analysis tools. Because memory is soldered, choose wisely at purchase.
Battery life & charging
The 63Wh battery provides reliable all-day usage in mixed scenarios. In my mixed workload (documents, video calls, email, messaging), I comfortably reached 8–12 hours depending on brightness and workload. ExpressCharge support means a 30–80% top-up in under an hour on compatible chargers — great for quick between-meeting boosts.
Thermals & noise
Under light to moderate use the laptop stays cool and quiet. Under heavy synthetic CPU loads it will run hot and can throttle; Dell’s firmware and power profiles can balance performance and thermals but expect reduced clocks during sustained maximum loads. For business users this is rarely a daily problem, but power users should be aware.
Connectivity, ports & webcams
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are the headline feature — they enable fast docking, external 4K displays, and rapid data transfers. The presence of USB-A and HDMI is welcome for backwards compatibility. The IR webcam and privacy shutter are features I appreciate — they make video calls crisp and secure.
Security & manageability
Security is core to the Latitude series. With TPM 2.0, fingerprint (integrated into the power button), and ExpressSign-in proximity sensing, the 7420 is ready for enterprise deployments. IT teams will appreciate the manageability features and firmware controls Dell provides.
Real-world use cases
- Executives & frequent travelers: Lightweight chassis, long battery, and security features make the 7420 a top pick.
- Remote employees: Reliable webcam, good microphone performance, and strong connectivity suit day-to-day remote work.
- Students & consultants: Convertible design plus strong performance for research, presentations, and light media work.
Comparison: x360 Touch vs non-touch alternatives
If you regularly annotate documents, present from the device, or want pen support, the x360 touch variant is worth the extra spend. If you purely want the lightest battery and lowest cost, the non-touch version trims the price and yields slightly better battery runtime in some tests.
Verdict — who should buy the Latitude 7420 x360?
In short: I recommend the 7420 x360 if you need a premium convertible with strong security, modern ports, and enough power for demanding business workflows. Choose the 16GB/512GB model for balanced value; upgrade to 32GB if you know you’ll push memory limits. For buyers wanting maximum longevity and compatibility, the Latitude 7420 hits a reliable sweet spot between modern features and enterprise durability.
Final thoughts & tips
Buy the configuration you’ll actually use — memory is soldered, so plan for the long term. Keep firmware updated for the best thermal behavior, and if you rely on heavy sustained CPU loads, consider external cooling or a mobile workstation alternative. For most professionals, though, the Latitude 7420 x360 is a smart, versatile, and secure choice.
Interested in a configuration recommendation for your workflow? Tell me your typical apps and I’ll advise whether 16GB or 32GB is right for you.