Dell upgrades its business laptops with 11th-gen chips before CES 2021

Dell updated its high-end XPS laptops last year with Intel’s latest processors. The company’s update spree now makes its way over to the range of Dell business laptops as well. Ahead of CES next week, the PC maker kicked off 2021 with refreshed Latitude and Precision laptops that not only come with Intel’s 11th Gen processors, but also more refined designs and upgraded features that make them more enticing than ever before. Here’s everything you need to know!

Dell Latitude 5000 series

The new additions to the 5000 series include the Latitude 5320, 5420, and 5520, with a 2-in-1 variant of the 5320 also available. All four come with the expected upgrade to Intel’s latest processors, up to the 11th Gen i7 processor, and include two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. The design and build are similar to the previous generation, but the newer devices are slightly lighter than the 5010 range.

As before, the 5320, 5420, and 5520 come with 13.3-inch, 14-inch, and 15.6-inch displays, respectively. You will get Full HD screens across the board. However, the high-end variant of the Latitude 5520 comes with a 15.6-inch Ultra HD screen, while the cheapest iteration of the 5420 features a 1366 x 768 screen. You also have the choice between touch and non-touch versions.

The configurations of these Dell business laptops are extremely customizable, so you can choose exactly what version best suits your needs. Apart from the display size and resolution, you can choose up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. Wireless connectivity can be upgraded to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, and the optional 4G LTE access is ideal for those on the go. You can also add extra security features like a smart card reader, fingerprint scanner, and an IR camera for the face unlock feature.

You’ll get Intel UHD graphics with the Core i3 models and Intel Xe graphics with the i5 and i7 versions. If you want better performance though, the high-end variant of the 5520 comes with the NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics card.

All the laptops on this list come with Dell’s latest optimization features to enhance your experience. The one that stands out is Express Charge, which gives you 35% of charge in just 20 minutes, and around 80% after one hour of charging.

Express Connect is a useful feature for the office (when we get to go back to them). The laptop automatically chooses the best access point to connect to and directs bandwidth to conference apps. Also helping with audio and video conferences is Intelligent Audio, which enhances audio quality and reduces background noise.

Dell hasn’t announced the price of the updated Latitude 5000 series yet. It shouldn’t be too expensive though, given that these are some of the company’s more affordable business laptops. The Latitude 5000 series range will be available from January 12.

Dell Latitude 7000 series

The more premium Latitude 7000 series gets a similar upgrade as well. You have the choice between carbon fiber and aluminum finishes, Intel’s latest processors up to the Core i7, and upgraded Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. Three major variants of the 7000 series are available — Latitude 7320, 7420, and 7520 — but the company also introduced the Latitude 7320 Detachable tablet this time.

Dell managed to shave a few millimeters and grams off the body compared to the previous generation, making for some of the lightest business laptops you can get. All versions of the series come with up to 32GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, Intel Xe graphics, and Wi-Fi 6 support.

Customization is key once again. Apart from RAM storage, and display size, you can also add optional extras like mobile broadband connectivity, a smart card reader, a fingerprint scanner, and an IR camera.

Things remain largely the same across the board, but there are a few differences between the three core models. You can get 2-in-1 variants of the Latitude 7320 and 7420, but not with the 7520. However, if you’re looking for a higher resolution Ultra HD display, the 7420 and 7520 are the ones to get.

The Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable comes with a similar spec sheet as its laptop sibling, with a few differences. The tablet has a slightly smaller 13-inch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, goes up to 16GB of RAM, and comes with Intel Iris X graphics. You can also opt for a better front-facing camera with this device. It’s far more portable in its tablet form, of course, but the detachable keyboard will be an extra expense.

It’ll be a while before you can get your hands on any of the Latitude 7000 laptops though. The series will be available from March 30, with a starting price of $999.

Dell Latitude 9420

We continue to climb the Latitude ladder with the ultra-premium Latitude 9420. This laptop is almost like the business-equivalent of Dell’s refreshed XPS laptops. You get the 11th-gen Intel processors, a Full HD or QHD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, Intel Iris X graphics, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage.

It may not be as refined as the XPS series, but it certainly comes close. The 9420 comes with an aluminum body with a brushed hairline finish and diamond-cut edges. The new aspect ratio provides a larger screen in a slightly smaller and lighter body than its predecessor.

It also comes with plenty of features you’d expect from a high-end release. This includes Wi-Fi 6E support and an optional add-on that provides 5G mobile broadband connectivity. Of course, like all the other devices on the list, the Latitude 9420’s also comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports. It also has an impressive quad-speaker set up and four noise-canceling microphones.

The Dell Latitude 9420 will not be available unitl March 9, and we don’t have any pricing information yet. It’ll certainly be the most expensive of the latest crop of Latitude laptops though.

Dell Precision 3560

Finally, the newest addition to Dell’s range of mobile workstations is the Precision 3560. Like every device in this series, the Precision 3560 is built to handle anything, given the right configuration. The latest model also comes with key upgrades that make it worth the purchase.

The new Precision 3560 comes with a new design that makes it smaller and lighter than its predecessor. It features the same large display and a complete set of ports, though. It comes with Intel’s 11th-gen processors, up to 64GB of RAM, up to 2TB of storage, and Wi-Fi 6 support.

The higher-end variants of the Precision 3560 come with the NVIDIA Quadro T500 professional graphics. This allows you to enjoy a desktop-level performance with design apps and other graphic-intensive tasks. Advanced thermals keep things running smoothly as well. You get an impressive set of ports and connectivity options, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports. You can also add extra security features like a smart card reader and fingerprint scanner.

The Dell Precision 3560 isn’t the sleekest Dell laptop you can get. It’s certainly the one to buy if you’re looking for a powerful workhorse though. It will be available on January 12 with a starting price point of $1,189.

Stay tuned with Android Authority for more excellent news and announcements from CES 2021!