Dell Latitude 5420 vs Lenovo ThinkPad T14
Both laptops are very similar and suit the same kind of buyer: both have equally quick processors, 16 GB of memory and 14-inch screens, and both run Windows. The main difference: the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has the bigger battery: 50 Wh against 42 Wh.
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Key differences
- Battery life Lenovo ThinkPad T14 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has the bigger battery: 50 Wh against 42 Wh.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the Dell Latitude 5420 has Thunderbolt or USB4, while only the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has USB-A.
- Upgrades Dell Latitude 5420 wins
The Dell Latitude 5420's memory can be upgraded later; the Lenovo ThinkPad T14's is fixed.
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).
- You might want more memory later: you can add it yourself.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2021.
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 if…
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (50 Wh).
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories).
- You multitask a lot: its AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U 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
The Dell Latitude 5420 is ahead on performance.
It can be upgraded, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Core i5-1135G7 | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 32 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) | M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (2242 PCIe 3.0 x2, or 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 on larger options) |
| 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 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | No |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Anti-reflective |
Battery and size
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is ahead on battery and weight.
It has a bigger battery, and the Dell Latitude 5420 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 14 hours |
| Battery capacity | 42 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | — | 80% in 1 hr |
| Weight | 1.37 kg | — |
| Dimensions | 321.35 x 212 x 19.3-20.9 mm | 329 x 227 x 17.9 mm |
| Materials | PC+ABS | PPS / 50% GF (top), PC + ABS / Talc15 + magnesium alloy (keyboard cover), PA / 50% GF (bottom) |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810G |
| Colour | Silver | — |
| Colours available | — | Black |
Ports and wireless
On ports and wireless, it comes down to what you need.
The Dell Latitude 5420 has Thunderbolt or USB4, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has USB-A.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
|---|---|---|
| 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-C 3.2 Gen 2 (data, Power Delivery charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x microSD, 1x side docking connector, Kensington lock slot |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | None |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 3 |
| Card reader | microSD | microSD |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | 1 GbE RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| 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 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | — | 720p |
| Keyboard | Extended single-point keyboard, UK layout 80 keys, 18.05 mm key pitch | 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys with Unified Communications controls |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Clickpad, 115 x 67 mm, >=300 dpi | TrackPoint pointing device and Mylar surface multi-touch touchpad |
| Speakers | 2x stereo speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Audio |
| Microphones | dual-array | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0 (discrete), wedge-shaped lock slot | Discrete TPM 2.0, Kensington security slot |
Software and model
The Dell Latitude 5420 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5420 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro |
| Update promise | — | None |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |