Dell Latitude 5420 vs Dell Latitude 7420
Both are good choices with different strengths. The Dell Latitude 5420 has Ethernet and can be upgraded, while the Dell Latitude 7420 has more storage.
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Key differences
- Storage Dell Latitude 7420 wins
The Dell Latitude 7420 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Ports Dell Latitude 5420 wins
Only the Dell Latitude 5420 has Ethernet.
- Upgrades Dell Latitude 5420 wins
The Dell Latitude 5420's memory can be upgraded later; the Dell Latitude 7420's is fixed.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Dell Latitude 5420 if…
- You plug things in: it has Ethernet (for wired internet).
- You might want more memory later: you can add it yourself.
- You multitask a lot: its Intel Core i5-1135G7 stays smooth with lots of apps and tabs open.
Choose the Dell Latitude 7420 if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.22 kg.
- You multitask a lot: its Intel Core i7-1185G7 stays smooth with lots of apps and tabs open.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsOn the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Dell Latitude 5420 can be upgraded, while the Dell Latitude 7420 has more storage.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Dell Latitude 7420 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Core i5-1135G7 | Intel Core i7-1185G7 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | LPDDR4x-3733 |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe M.2 (2230 or 2280) | PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Dell Latitude 7420 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | LCD | LCD |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Matte | — |
Battery and size
The Dell Latitude 7420 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter, and the Dell Latitude 5420 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Dell Latitude 7420 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 42 Wh | — |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.37 kg | 1.22 kg |
| Dimensions | 321.35 x 212 x 19.3-20.9 mm | 321.35 x 208.69 x 16.90-18.88 mm |
| Materials | PC+ABS | — |
| Colour | Silver | Silver |
Ports and wireless
The Dell Latitude 5420 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Ethernet, and the Dell Latitude 7420 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Dell Latitude 7420 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare), 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB4, Power Delivery charging), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x universal 3.5 mm audio, 1x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, 1x microSD, 1x wedge-shaped lock slot | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB4, DisplayPort Alt Mode, Power Delivery, charging), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x 3.5 mm universal audio jack, 1x microSD, 1x wedge-shaped security lock slot |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 4 |
| External displays (max) | 3 | — |
| Card reader | microSD | microSD |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Dell Latitude 7420 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Keyboard | Extended single-point keyboard, UK layout 80 keys, 18.05 mm key pitch | 19.05 x 18.05 mm key pitch, UK 80-key QWERTY layout |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Clickpad, 115 x 67 mm, >=300 dpi | 115 x 65 mm touchpad |
| Speakers | 2x stereo speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak | 2 speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak |
| Microphones | dual-array | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0 (discrete), wedge-shaped lock slot | TPM 2.0, wedge-shaped security lock slot |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Dell Latitude 7420 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |