EliteBook 840 G5 vs Latitude 5490: 15 metrics compared

The EliteBook 840 G5 and the Latitude 5490 are HP's and Dell's 2018 corporate flagships fighting in the same weight class — same 14-inch format, same 8th-gen quad-core CPUs, same ~$410 used price today. On paper they look interchangeable; in the catalog numbers they are not. The Latitude 5490 simply outguns the EliteBook on nearly every performance axis, and the verdict reflects it: 7 wins to 3.

EliteBook 840 G5 vs Latitude 5490: specs compared

The headline number is the overall score — 57 for the Latitude against 39 for the EliteBook — and the gap comes from configuration breadth rather than chassis generation. The 5490's best CPU config scores 49.4 versus 40.8, and its top GPU option scores 45.9 against 6.8: the Latitude was sold with proper discrete graphics (up to the GeForce MX130 class and beyond in performance scoring), while the EliteBook stayed integrated-only. That cascades into the gaming index (74 vs 22), performance index (49.9 vs 30.8) and value index (62.8 vs 51.8). The EliteBook's counterpunches are modest but real: half a millimeter of mobility index advantage (56 vs 54), a slightly lighter 1.5 kg body versus 1.6 kg, and a marginally bigger 50 Wh battery versus 48 Wh. Both accept 32 GB RAM.

Gaming performance

This is the widest gap in the whole comparison. A discrete-equipped Latitude 5490 runs esports titles and moderate AAA games at 1080p low settings comfortably — its gaming index of 74 puts it in "casual gaming laptop" territory, not just office territory. The EliteBook 840 G5 with UHD 620 graphics is limited to 2D and cloud gaming. If you want one used business laptop that also plays games with the kids, the 5490 is the pick — but check the specific listing's GPU: the score advantage belongs to the dGPU configurations, and base-model Latitudes converge back toward the EliteBook.

Battery and portability

Practically a tie, which is a genuine achievement for the performance the Latitude packs. 48 Wh versus 50 Wh, 1.6 kg versus 1.5 kg — in daily use you will not feel either difference. Both machines charge over USB-C, both survived corporate fleets by the thousands, and both have dirt-cheap replacement batteries on the used market. Commuters can choose on looks and keyboard feel alone.

Which to buy in 2026

At equal money the Latitude 5490 is the stronger all-round used buy: more performance headroom, better gaming ceiling, higher value score — provided the listing has the discrete GPU and the higher-tier CPU. The EliteBook 840 G5 remains a rational pick for buyers who prioritize the lighter body, the slightly larger battery and HP's excellent serviceability — but be honest with yourself: you are choosing the milder machine. Our verdict gives the Latitude a 7-3 win, and on this pair the data and the gut agree.