Dell Latitude 5520 Review: Business Laptop Excellence
Business laptops are the backbone of professional computing, and the Dell Latitude 5520 stands out as a reliable choice for modern professionals. In this review, we'll delve into its design, performance, and unique features that make it a top contender in the business laptop arena.
For business professionals and remote workers looking for a high-performing laptop capable of keeping up with demanding workloads, the Dell Latitude 5520 is an excellent choice worth considering. I recently had the opportunity to test out this 15.6″ laptop and was impressed by its powerful components, versatile connectivity, and durable yet portable design. In this review, I’ll provide an in-depth look at the key features and performance of the Dell Latitude 5520 to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Overview
Right off the bat, the Latitude 5520 delivers solid specs including an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive. Together, these components provide exceptional speed for multitasking, running intensive programs, and boosting productivity.
The 15.6″ full HD display is easy on the eyes with its matte anti-glare finish that minimizes distracting reflections when working in bright environments. Visuals and text look sharp thanks to the 1920 x 1080 resolution. Ports are plentiful with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, an audio jack, and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. Connectivity is rounded out with Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6.
The Latitude 5520 may look utilitarian with its silver plastic exterior, but its MIL-SPEC durability is reassuring. It passed rigorous military-grade testing to withstand extremes including shocks, vibrations, temperatures, and dust. Despite its resilient build, the notebook remains reasonably lightweight at just 3.5 pounds.
Business-friendly features include a built-in smart card reader for secure logins, a shutter for the 720p webcam, a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, and Windows Hello face recognition. The backlit keyboard is comfortable with well-spaced keys.
Overall, the Latitude 5520 strikes an excellent balance between performance, features, build quality, and portability. Power users will appreciate the top-notch 11th Gen Intel processor and abundant memory and storage. Mobile professionals will like the durable chassis and long battery life. If you need a dependable 15.6″ business notebook suitable for office or field work, the Latitude 5520 deserves strong consideration.
Standout Features And Benefits
Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the standout features of the Dell Latitude 5520 and why they matter for boosting productivity and easing mobile work.
Powerful 11th Gen Intel Processor and 16GB RAM
The 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor provides cutting-edge speed thanks to four cores, eight threads, and clock speeds up to 4.2GHz with Turbo Boost. Whether your typical workload involves lots of multitasking, intensive business programs, data analysis, content creation, or anything in between, this latest Intel processor delivers excellent performance.
Complementing the fast processor is a generous 16GB of DDR4 RAM. This high-bandwidth memory enables smooth simultaneous operation of multiple apps, browser windows, and office documents without slowdowns. Lightning-quick responsiveness when working makes this business laptop feel amazingly snappy.
Spacious 512GB Solid-State Drive
Storage is just as impressive as the processor and memory on the Latitude 5520. It comes equipped with a 512GB PCIe NVMe solid-state drive which offers super-fast data access and transfer speeds. The large capacity provides ample storage for operating systems, programs, files, and media. Boot ups take mere seconds thanks to the SSD.
Large file transfers, heavy workloads involving data access, and running virtual machines are all handled with aplomb thanks to the combination of a cutting-edge 11th Gen Intel processor and huge 512GB SSD. This laptop certainly won’t leave you waiting around when it comes to storage performance.
15.6″ Full HD Matte Display
Visuals also play an important role in productivity. The 15.6″ screen on the Latitude 5520 delivers with its 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution and matte anti-glare finish. You get crisp and clear images, videos, and text. The matte treatment minimizes distracting reflections when working in bright indoor environments or outdoors.
Whether your work involves detailed data analysis, editing photos, tweaking videos, or preparing presentations, the large 15.6″ Full HD screen provides sufficient real estate and clarity. The screen is also comfortably viewed for long periods thanks to the anti-glare finish.
Extensive Connectivity for Wired and Wireless Accessories
One aspect that makes the Latitude 5520 so versatile is its wide range of built-in ports and wireless capabilities. On the wired connection front, you get two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports for accessories, two Thunderbolt 4 ports for blazing 40Gbps transfer speeds, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a gigabit Ethernet port.
Wireless capabilities include Wi-Fi 6 for fast network speeds and Bluetooth 5.1 for connecting peripherals like mice and headsets. With this range of options, you can easily hook up all your business accessories and devices.
MIL-SPEC Ruggedness
Despite its portable form factor, the Latitude 5520 was built tough thanks to its durable plastic exterior that has undergone rigorous MIL-SPEC 810H testing. This included a battery of tests covering shocks, drops, vibrations, extreme temperatures, humidity, sand, dust, and high altitudes.
Rest assured that this laptop can withstand the rigors of business travel whether it involves a crowded train commute or working outdoors. The MIL-SPEC rating provides confidence that the Latitude 5520 has the durability to hold up well in harsh conditions.
Windows 11 Pro and Business-Ready Features
Optimized for professional use, the Latitude 5520 runs Windows 11 Pro which offers enhanced security, cloud integration, and remote access capabilities for hybrid work environments. Business-specific features of the laptop itself include a built-in smart card reader, webcam privacy shutter, fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, and IR camera for Windows Hello face recognition. These features enable secure logins, video conferences, and quick powering on.
Long Battery Life
Road warriors will appreciate the long-lasting battery on the Latitude 5520. It’s rated for up to 12 hours of normal use between charges. While testing, I was able to get through most of an 8-hour workday on a single charge with some conservative power management. This is more than enough flexibility for short trips or for moving around the office and between meetings.
Light and Portable Chassis
Despite its durable construction, the Latitude 5520 remains reasonably lightweight at just 3.5 pounds. It measures 14 x 9.2 x 0.78 inches giving it a slim, compact footprint. Combined with the long battery life, the Latitude 5520’s portable design makes it easy to toss in your bag for a commute or business trip without hassle.
Ideal Users And Use Cases
Given its powerful performance, extensive connectivity, and durable yet portable chassis, the Dell Latitude 5520 is a great fit for:
- Business professionals who want a premium laptop capable of handling demanding multitasking and intensive business applications with ease while on the move.
- Remote and hybrid workers who need a durable and portable notebook suitable for use at home, at the office, and everywhere in between.
- Road warriors who require a laptop that can withstand the rigors of frequent travel while providing excellent battery life.
- Enterprise deployment where IT departments need to equip employees with high-performing Windows laptops that also offer security features and remote management capabilities.
- Professionals who work with large data sets, edit high-res photos/videos, or use graphics-intensive programs and want a laptop capable of keeping up with smooth performance.
Some examples of great use cases for the Latitude 5520:
- Financial analysts running Monte Carlo simulations, crunching numbers in Excel, and videoconferencing with colleagues.
- Account managers giving sales presentations and reviewing contracts while one the move.
- Marketing coordinators editing photos and videos, managing multi-channel campaigns, and sharing large files.
- Engineers reviewing 3D CAD models, running simulations, and demonstrating designs via screen sharing.
- IT administrators managing systems, troubleshooting remotely, and onboarding new hires from home or the office.
- Consultants working on proposals, analyzing data, and attending virtual meetings from client sites.
Final Verdict
The Dell Latitude 5520 packs a punch when it comes to performance, connectivity, and portability. Business users who seek a premium 15.6″ laptop capable of accelerating productivity and seamlessly adapting to office or mobile environments will find it a compelling choice.
Power users can tackle intensive workloads thanks to the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and bountiful 16GB RAM. Storage is expansive with the speedy 512GB solid-state drive. The Full HD screen provides crisp visuals while the anti-glare finish allows comfortable viewing. Robust construction enables the Latitude 5520 to thrive on the road.
Well-rounded specs, business-ready features, and a durable design make the Dell Latitude 5520 a wise investment for professionals who need desktop-caliber performance in a highly portable form factor. It earns my wholehearted recommendation as a high-performing business notebook suitable for today’s fast-paced and mobile work environments.
Dell Latitude 5520 Business Laptop Technical Details
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5-1145G7 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Hard Drive | 512 GB SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 16 GB |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 4 |
| Brand | Dell |
| Series | Latitude |
| Item model number | 5520 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Item Weight | 3.5 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.19 x 0.78 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 14.09 x 9.19 x 0.78 inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Number of Processors | 4 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Flash Memory Size | 512 GB |
| Hard Drive Interface | PCIE x 4 |
| Power Source | AC & Battery |
| Voltage | 110 Volts |