The Dell E7470 is a highly acclaimed business laptop, known for its reliability, performance, and solid design. Whether you’re a professional looking for a durable device for everyday use or a business traveler in need of a portable machine, the Dell E7470 stands out as an excellent choice. This article provides a deep dive into its key features, performance, and why it remains a popular option in the world of business laptops.
Design and Build Quality
The Dell E7470 showcases a robust, yet sleek design, built to withstand the rigors of daily business activities. With a magnesium alloy chassis and a carbon-fiber-reinforced lid, it combines strength with portability. Weighing around 3 pounds (1.58 kg), this laptop is easy to carry around without compromising durability. Its matte black finish gives it a professional look, while the slim profile ensures it easily fits into any bag or briefcase.
Durability
One of the key selling points of the Dell E7470 is its military-grade durability. The laptop passes MIL-STD 810G testing, which ensures it can survive extreme temperatures, dust, shocks, and vibrations. This makes the Dell E7470 a reliable companion for professionals working in tough environments or frequently traveling.
Display and Audio
The Dell E7470 comes with a 14-inch display, available in two different resolutions: a 1366×768 HD panel and a 1920×1080 Full HD option. The higher-end version offers crisp images, excellent color reproduction, and wide viewing angles. This is ideal for users who need to work with detailed visuals, such as designers or content creators. The matte finish on the screen reduces glare, making it easy to work in bright environments or under artificial lighting.
Audio Performance
The laptop’s speakers deliver clear and loud sound, making it suitable for video conferencing or multimedia presentations. While the audio quality isn’t designed for audiophiles, it is sufficient for most business needs. Pairing the Dell E7470 with external speakers or headphones can enhance the experience for those seeking richer sound quality.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Dell E7470 is powered by Intel’s 6th-generation Skylake processors, ranging from the Intel Core i5 to the more powerful Core i7. These processors, combined with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, ensure smooth multitasking and efficient handling of business applications, spreadsheets, and presentations. For users who require even more processing power, the laptop’s configuration options allow for upgrades.
Storage Options
The Dell E7470 offers various storage options, from a traditional hard drive to a more modern solid-state drive (SSD). The SSD option significantly enhances boot time, file transfer speeds, and overall system responsiveness. A laptop equipped with an SSD also consumes less power, contributing to better battery life.
Graphics
For general business use, the integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 provides enough performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback. However, for those looking to run more graphics-intensive applications, this may not be sufficient. The Dell E7470 is not built for heavy gaming or 3D rendering, but it handles lighter multimedia tasks with ease.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor for business laptops, and the Dell E7470 excels in this area. Equipped with a 55WHr battery, the laptop can last between 7 to 9 hours on a single charge, depending on usage. This is more than enough to get through a typical workday without needing to recharge. The Dell E7470 also features fast charging, allowing users to quickly top up the battery when necessary.
Power Efficiency
The use of Skylake processors not only boosts performance but also improves power efficiency. This ensures that the laptop can manage demanding tasks without draining the battery excessively. Business travelers will appreciate the combination of long battery life and power efficiency, which makes the Dell E7470 an ideal choice for working on the go.
Connectivity and Ports
The Dell E7470 offers a wide range of connectivity options, essential for business professionals. It includes three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, a mini DisplayPort, an SD card reader, and an Ethernet port. This variety of ports ensures that users can easily connect to external displays, projectors, or other peripherals without the need for additional adapters.
Wireless Connectivity
In terms of wireless connectivity, the Dell E7470 is equipped with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1. This allows for fast and stable wireless connections, whether you’re working from the office, at home, or in a café. The laptop also supports WWAN (mobile broadband), enabling users to access the internet via cellular networks, a handy feature for professionals who need to stay connected while traveling.
Security Features
Security is a top priority for business laptops, and the Dell E7470 doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a range of security features, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which provides hardware-level encryption. The laptop also features an optional fingerprint reader for biometric authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can access the system.
Dell Data Protection
The Dell E7470 includes Dell’s Data Protection software, which adds another layer of security by safeguarding data both at rest and in transit. This is particularly beneficial for organizations that handle sensitive information or need to comply with industry regulations like GDPR.
Software and User Experience
The Dell E7470 runs on Windows 10 Pro, a robust operating system designed for business users. Windows 10 Pro offers advanced features such as BitLocker, Remote Desktop, and Hyper-V, which enhances productivity and ensures secure data management.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The backlit keyboard on the Dell E7470 is another highlight. It provides a comfortable typing experience with well-spaced keys and decent travel. The precision touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures, making navigation smooth and efficient. This is a crucial feature for users who spend long hours working on their laptops.
Conclusion
The Dell E7470 is an outstanding business laptop that offers a perfect blend of performance, durability, and portability. Its robust design, long battery life, and wide array of connectivity options make it a solid choice for professionals who need a reliable machine for daily use. With its advanced security features and versatile configurations, the Dell E7470 remains a strong contender in the business laptop market even years after its release. Whether you’re a business traveler, an office worker, or a remote employee, the Dell E7470 delivers all the essentials for a smooth and productive workflow.