Dell Latitude 5420 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is the better laptop on paper: it lasts longer on a charge, has USB-A and is sold new. Pick the Dell Latitude 5420 only if it matters to you that it has Thunderbolt or USB4 and Ethernet.
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Key differences
- Battery life Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 should last longer on a charge: it has a 60 Wh battery against 42 Wh.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the Dell Latitude 5420 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and Ethernet, while only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 has USB-A.
- Condition Depends on you
The Dell Latitude 5420 is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is sold new.
- Age Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is the newer model (2026 against 2021).
- Extras Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 has Copilot+ AI features.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Dell Latitude 5420 if…
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
- You might want more memory later: you can add it yourself.
- You work with several monitors: it can run 3 at once.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 21.9 hours).
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories).
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
- You want a more recent design: it came out in 2026.
- You want Copilot+ AI features, handy for Windows' newest AI tools.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 leads on battery and weight; elsewhere the 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 has faster memory.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Core i5-1135G7 | Intel Core Ultra 5 322 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Graphics |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 46 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Partly upgradeable |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe M.2 (2230 or 2280) | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
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 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | No |
| Brightness | — | 400 nits |
| Colour range | — | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | — | No |
Battery and size
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge, and the Dell Latitude 5420 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 21.9 hours |
| Battery capacity | 42 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Charger | — | 65 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | Round tip (barrel); USB-C PD 45-65W also accepted |
| Fast charging | — | 2 hours of runtime from a 15-minute charge (Rapid Charge Boost) |
| Weight | 1.37 kg | 1.43 kg |
| Dimensions | 321.35 x 212 x 19.3-20.9 mm | 314.4 x 222.1 x 16.9-17.9 mm |
| Materials | PC+ABS | Aluminium (top), PC-ABS (bottom) |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810H |
| Colour | Silver | Cosmic Blue |
| Colours available | — | Breeze Moss, Cosmic Blue, Jelly Mint, Luna Grey |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Dell Latitude 5420 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and Ethernet, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 has USB-A and has Wi-Fi 7.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 USB-A (USB 5Gbps), 1x USB-C (USB 5Gbps, power delivery 45-65W charging, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x SD card reader, 1x round tip power connector |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | None |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 2 |
| Card reader | microSD | SD |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | — | None |
Features
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features, and the Dell Latitude 5420 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | — | 1080p + IR |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | — | No |
| Keyboard | Extended single-point keyboard, UK layout 80 keys, 18.05 mm key pitch | 6-row, multimedia Fn keys, 1.3 mm key travel, Copilot key, non-backlit |
| Login | — | Face |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Clickpad, 115 x 67 mm, >=300 dpi | Buttonless Mylar multi-touch, Precision TouchPad, 75 x 120 mm |
| Speakers | 2x stereo speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak | 2x 2 W stereo, Dolby Audio |
| Microphones | dual-array | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0 (discrete), wedge-shaped lock slot | Firmware TPM 2.0, Camera privacy shutter, IR camera for Windows Hello, Self-healing BIOS |
Software and model
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is ahead on software and updates.
The Dell Latitude 5420 is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Dell Latitude 5420 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | — | 83UQ0011UK |
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |