Still "worth it" in 2025? Full Review of the Dell Latitude 5290 2-in-1

Looking for a rugged, no-nonsense 2-in-1 laptop that doesn’t scream “influencer aesthetic”? The Dell Latitude 5290 may be older than your Spotify Wrapped playlist from 2018, but it's still doing numbers — especially in 2025 where "value for money" is the real flex.

Armed with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5, LTE support, a crisp 12.3" Full HD touchscreen, and the kind of build quality you'd expect from Dell’s business lineup, this convertible is aimed squarely at professionals, field workers, students, and anyone tired of fragile, overpriced fashion-tablets.

Let’s break this down feature by feature and see if the Dell Latitude 5290 still deserves a spot in your backpack today. Spoiler: it might be the sleeper productivity champ.

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🛠️ Materials & Durability — 9/10

If Dell made tanks, they'd probably look like this. The Latitude 5290 sports a durable magnesium alloy chassis with MIL-STD 810G certification — meaning it's designed to survive drops, vibration, temperature extremes, and the occasional rage toss when your Zoom call crashes. The device feels solid, doesn’t flex under pressure, and has rubberized edges that make it more “field-ready” than your average ultrabook.

🔗 Source: Notebookcheck

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⌨️ Keyboard & Trackpad — 7.5/10

The detachable keyboard (sold separately, of course 🙃) connects magnetically and offers a surprisingly good typing experience. Keys have satisfying travel and spacing, although the compact layout might take some getting used to. The glass-precision trackpad is responsive and accurate, though again, a bit small for big mitts.

🔗 Source: PC World

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🔗 Hinges & Portability — 8.5/10

At just 1.6 pounds (730g) without the keyboard and 8.4mm thick, the Latitude 5290 is easy to carry around. The automatic kickstand (yes, it literally springs out like it's in a Fast & Furious chase scene) adjusts up to 150 degrees and stays sturdy on most surfaces. Ultra-portable, airline tray-table approved.

🔗 Source:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/hq64ja/latitude_5290_kickstand_is_it_durable/

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🎨 Aesthetics — 7.5/10

Not winning any beauty pageants, but that’s not the point. Matte black industrial design, clean Dell branding, and practical bezels for grip. It’s functional and professional — think Batman, not Barbie.

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🔌 Ports — 8/10

Unlike certain fruity brands (ahem), Dell gives you proper ports here:

• 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1

• 1 x USB Type-C (DisplayPort capable)

• microSD card reader

• Smart card reader

• SIM slot (for LTE)

• Noble lock slot

Could’ve used Thunderbolt 3 for future-proofing, but hey, at least you're not stuck with dongle life.

🔗 Source: NotebookCheck

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🚀 CPU & GPU Performance — 8/10

Running an Intel Core i5-8350U with integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics, the Dell Latitude 5290 won’t edit 4K in DaVinci Resolve, but it crushes productivity tasks. Web browsing, spreadsheets, light Photoshop, Zoom meetings — it breezes through all that. And it still handles Windows 11 just fine.

Gaming? Let’s not. But for office work and multitasking, it performs like a champ.

🔗 Reddit User Benchmarks:
https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/rrr4h2/dell_latitude_5290_still_good_for_productivity/

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🌡️ Thermals & Noise — 9/10

Surprisingly cool and quiet. Fans only kick in under sustained load, and even then, they sound like a whisper. Idle temps hover below 45°C, and Dell’s thermal management on this model was tuned for balance. Great for lap use or shared workspaces.

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🔋 Battery Life — 8.5/10

With a 42Wh battery, it averages 9–11 hours on light use (web, docs, etc.) and around 6–7 hours under heavier loads. Bonus: You can swap out the battery. And if you find the LTE model, the added efficiency on mobile networks can give you more juice on the go.

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🖥️ Display — 8/10

The 12.3” Full HD (1920x1280) IPS panel delivers crisp text, sharp images, and decent brightness (~400 nits). It's not OLED-level, but it’s excellent for work and media. The 3:2 aspect ratio also gives more vertical screen space — perfect for reading and editing documents.

🔗 NotebookCheck Review

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🔊 Audio — 7/10

Dual front-facing speakers get loud enough for video calls and YouTube, though don’t expect rich bass or immersive sound. It’s serviceable, but headphones will give you a better time. The mics, however, are pretty decent for voice clarity.

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⭐ Summary Table:

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🎯 Final Verdict

The Dell Latitude 5290 is like that dependable friend who’s always early, always prepared, and doesn’t need the latest shoes to get things done. In 2025, it’s a fantastic budget buy for anyone looking for a reliable 2-in-1 with real laptop performance and tablet convenience. Whether you're a student, small biz owner, or road warrior, this sleeper hit deserves your attention.

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👉 https://lapzilla.com.au