Dell Latitude 5290 review
Dell Latitude 5290 — from 2017, 1.3 kg, performance 31.
Technical specifications
| Type | Business |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Screen | 12.5" · 1366x768 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 8650U , Intel Core i5 8250U , Intel Core i5 8350U |
| Max. RAM | 32 GB |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Battery | 42 Wh |
Performance scores
Where the Latitude 5290 stands
The Dell Latitude 5290 is a 2017 business-class laptop priced around $177 — comfortably below the $297 median for its category, placing it in the ultra-budget band. Configured with an 8th-gen Core i7-8650U and 32 GB of RAM, it carries a surprisingly strong processor and memory loadout for the price. The value argument is genuine; the caveat is long-term reliability on an aging business chassis.
Everyday graphics and a strong CPU value
The 5290's graphics score of 6.79 sits 77% above the business-class median of 3.84 — modest in absolute terms, but enough to clear minimum settings for Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V, and The Sims 4, and to handle everyday media and productivity acceleration without strain. Paired with a Core i7 and 32 GB of RAM, this is a capable office and light-creative machine: it runs Visual Studio Code comfortably and has the headroom for serious multitasking. For $177, that is an unusually complete working configuration.
Reliability: the honest caveat
The weakness is reliability, at 31 against a 42.5 median — a 27% gap that simply reflects an eight-year-old business laptop. None of this signals a specific defect; it signals that a secondhand Latitude of this vintage is nearer the end of its trouble-free window than the start. Buyers who depend on daily dependability should factor in potential near-term maintenance, while those wanting a cheap, capable secondary machine get an excellent spec-per-dollar deal.
Price trajectory
From a $1,300 launch price, the 5290 has settled to about $177, declining roughly 7.6% per year. The projected price two years out is near $151 — a further 14.62% drop. The steepest depreciation is behind it; what remains is a gradual decline. Given the already-low absolute price, further loss is small in dollar terms.
How it compares
At $177 the 5290 undercuts most direct peers. Above it, the Dell Latitude 5400 ($199) and Dell Latitude E5570 ($194) offer marginally newer or better-rounded options for a little more. Below, the HP 250 G6 ($152) and HP 250 G7 ($155) are cheaper but typically weaker on processor and memory. The 5290's position is strong: an i7 with 32 GB of RAM below the price of most competitors is a clear value play in this segment.
Bottom line
The Latitude 5290 is the rare ultra-budget business laptop that still reads as a real working machine. An 8th-gen Core i7, 32 GB of RAM, and adequate everyday graphics for $177 make it genuinely worth the asking price for productivity, development at the VS Code level, and light media work. The single honest caveat is reliability age — plan for potential maintenance, and the value holds up well.
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⭐ What stands out
-
graphics performance is higher than typical business class (+76.8%) (office tier).
above class average -
price is lower than typical business class (+40.6%) (ultra-budget).
budget segment of category -
reliability is lower than typical business class (+27.1%) (low tier).
below class average
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: reliability ↔ price
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration is built for office apps, web browsing, and basic daily tasks.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 42.5) ↔ price (median 297.4).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 60) ↔ overall performance (median 41.5).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 62.5) ↔ battery life (median 3.3).
Latitude 5290: verdict
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