Rankings
The 2013 13.3-inch MacBook Pro offers a stunning Retina display, solid performance and good battery life in a lightweight chassis, but its non-upgradable memory, modest graphics and aging OS support limit its appeal today.
An affordable 14-inch ultrabook with AI Copilot integration, offering good portability, solid SSD performance and bundled cloud services, but constrained by a low-resolution screen and modest Celeron processor.
The Latitude 5490 is a 14-inch business laptop powered by an 8th-gen quad-core i5, offering strong multitasking, extensive ports, and enterprise-grade security in a rugged, serviceable chassis. It provides solid performance but is weighed down by average battery life and a modestly bright display.
The 2014 11.6-inch MacBook Air is an ultra-light ultraportable with solid battery life and fast SSD performance, but its low-resolution screen, limited ports and non-upgradable components make it less suitable for demanding modern use.
The Latitude 7290 is a compact 12.5-inch business ultrabook built with a lightweight magnesium-alloy chassis, offering solid performance, extensive connectivity, and strong security features. It excels in portability and battery life but is hampered by a low-resolution TN panel.
The HP Ultrabook targets budget-conscious students and professionals with a lightweight chassis, long battery life and built-in Microsoft 365/Copilot, but its low-resolution screen, modest CPU and limited storage keep it in the entry-level tier.
The HP Rose Gold Ultrabook offers a stylish, lightweight chassis, long battery life and bundled Office 365, but its low-resolution screen, modest Celeron CPU and limited internal storage keep it in the budget-productivity segment.
A stylish rose-gold 14-inch ultrabook with strong battery life and bundled cloud services, offering ample RAM but hampered by slow eMMC storage and a low-resolution screen.
The ASUS Lightweight 15.5" laptop offers a bright Full HD display, a slim and portable chassis, and a backlit keyboard at an affordable price. It is well suited for everyday tasks but is constrained by limited RAM, storage, and modest battery endurance.
A budget-friendly 14-inch ultrabook with solid battery life and a lightweight chassis, suited for basic web browsing, document work and video calls, but hampered by limited RAM, storage and a low-resolution screen.
| Attribute | | | | | Dell Latitude 7290 | | | Apple MacBook Air 11-inch | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 1.6 kg | 1.452 kg | 2.268 kg | 1.41 kg | 1.76 kg | 1.57 kg | 1.57 kg | 1.08 kgbest | 2.268 kg | 1.497 kg |
13 hoursbest | 11.3 hours | 11.5 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 7 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | |
14 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches | 12.5 inches | 15.5 inchesbest | 13.3 inches | 11.6 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches | |
16 GBbest | 4 GB | 16 GBbest | 8 GB | 16 GBbest | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 16 GBbest | 8 GB | |
512 GBbest | 64 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 320 GB | |
| ↓ lower better | 20 mm | 18 mm | 17.78 mm | 17.8 mm | 16.99 mmbest | 17.8 mm | 18 mm | 17.3 mm | 17.78 mm | 18 mm |
220 nits | 220 nits | 235 nits | 250 nitsbest | 200 nits | — | — | — | 220 nits | — | |
60 Hzbest | — | — | — | 60 Hzbest | 60 Hzbest | — | — | — | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | Dell Latitude 7290 | | | Apple MacBook Air 11-inch | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(1) | ||||||||||
Battery Life (hours) | 13 hours | 11.3 hours | 11.5 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 6-8 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours |
Memory & Storage(2) | ||||||||||
RAM Capacity (GB) | 16 GB | 4 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB |
SSD Capacity (GB) | 512 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 320 GB |
Build & Design(2) | ||||||||||
Weight (kg) | 1.6 kg | 1.452 kg | 2.268 kg | 1.41 kg | 1.76 kg | 1.57 kg | 1.57 kg | 1.08 kg | 2.268 kg | 1.497 kg |
Thickness (mm) | 20 mm | 18 mm | 17.78 mm | 17.8 mm | 16.99 mm | 17.8 mm | 18 mm | 17.3 mm | 17.78 mm | 18 mm |
Performance(2) | ||||||||||
Processor Model | Intel Core i5-8350U | Intel Celeron N4020 | Intel Celeron N150/N4500 | Intel N150 | Intel Core i5-8350U (8th Gen) | Intel Celeron | Intel Core i5-4258U | Intel Core i5-4260U | Intel Celeron N150 | Intel Celeron N150 |
Graphics Type | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Intel UHD Graphics 600 | Intel UHD Graphics 600 | Integrated | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 | Intel HD Graphics 5000 | Intel UHD Graphics 600 | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
Display(4) | ||||||||||
Screen Size (inches) | 14 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches | 12.5 inches | 15.5 inches | 13.3 inches | 11.6 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches |
Resolution | 1920x1080 | 1366x768 | 1366 x 768 | 1366x768 | 1366x768 | 1920x1080 | 2560 x 1600 | 1366 × 768 | 1366x768 | 1366x768 |
Panel Type | WVA | LED-backlit, anti-glare | LED-backlit micro-edge BrightView anti-glare | LED | TN | LED-backlit LCD | LED-backlit IPS Retina | LED-backlit glossy widescreen TFT LCD | HD BrightView micro-edge anti-glare | LED-backlit micro-edge anti-glare |
Brightness (nits) | 220 nits | 220 nits | 235 nits | 250 nits | 200 nits | — | — | — | 220 nits | 220-250 nits |
Connectivity(2) | ||||||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 5 | 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ac | 802.11n | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 5 | Wi‑Fi 6 |
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 5.4 |
Warranty(1) | ||||||||||
Warranty Period (years) | 0.25 years | — | 1 years | — | 0.25 years | 0.25 years | 0.25 years | 0.25 years | 0.25 years | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Latitude 5490 for its solid performance thanks to the quad-core i5, its military-grade durability, and its comprehensive security suite, noting it as a reliable workhorse for enterprise environments. The only criticism from experts is occasional fan noise under heavy loads.
Everyday users appreciate the laptop's smooth handling of multiple applications, the ease of upgrading components, its ruggedness that survives field work, and the comfortable keyboard. Common complaints focus on shorter-than-advertised battery life, the relatively heavy chassis, dim screen brightness, and older-generation Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
“Perfect for online classes and Zoom meetings.”
“Battery lasts all day - I don't need to carry a charger.”
“Decent battery and lightweight, but the screen looks cheap.”
Professional reviewers praise its value, battery life and portability, while criticizing the limited RAM, storage and outdated low-resolution display.
Users love the portability and all-day battery, but many report sluggish performance with multiple tabs, insufficient storage and a grainy screen.
Reviewers note the solid port selection and bundled software as positives, while criticizing the grainy display, sluggish performance and cheap plastic build.
Customers appreciate the portability, battery life and included Office suite, but many complain about the pixelated screen and limited storage.
Professional reviewers see it as an entry-level productivity device with solid battery and AI integration, but criticize the dim low-res screen and limited performance.
Everyday users appreciate the light weight, long battery and AI features, while noting the screen is too dim/low-res and the device feels sluggish with limited RAM.
Professional reviewers praise the Latitude 7290 for its ultra-portable size, rugged magnesium-alloy construction, and extensive port selection, noting solid performance for office workloads. The primary criticism is the low-resolution TN panel, which limits visual clarity and color fidelity.
Everyday users appreciate the light weight, sturdy build, and long battery life, often highlighting the convenience of HDMI and Ethernet together. However, many echo the complaint about the modest 1366 × 768 display, wishing for a higher-resolution panel.
Professional reviewers describe the laptop as a "budget-friendly powerhouse" that delivers a vibrant Full HD display, sleek design, and a rare backlit keyboard for its price segment, while noting the RAM and storage limits and occasional reliability concerns in renewed units.
Everyday users appreciate the crisp display, lightweight chassis, and fast Windows 11 experience, but many complain about running out of memory, quickly filling storage, average webcam quality, and shorter battery life than advertised.
Professional reviewers praised the Retina screen, build quality and battery life, while noting the lack of upgradeability and outdated connectivity as drawbacks.
Users love the sharp screen and portability, but many wish for more RAM and complain about fan noise under heavy use.
Reviewers praised its refined design, portability and battery life, while noting the low-resolution display and lack of upgradeability as drawbacks.
Users appreciate the feather-light chassis and long battery, but criticize the small, low-res screen and inability to upgrade RAM or storage.
Reviewers note the great value of the Office and OneDrive bundle and solid battery life, yet they point out the limited eMMC storage and modest HD display as drawbacks for power users.
Customers love the lightweight look, long battery and included Office subscription, but complain about the slow storage, blurry screen and lack of a backlit keyboard.
Reviewers praise the port selection and Copilot integration, yet criticize the weak CPU and sub-HD display as limiting factors for anything beyond basic tasks.
Users appreciate the lightweight build, battery life and AI key, but many note the blurry screen and sluggish performance under load.
