Price When Reviewed

$2,489

Best Prices Today: Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight

The Dell Latitude is a mainstay of laptop computer fleets throughout the globe. This turns into an odd problem, because the wants of a corporation’s IT division comes first. The consumer’s satisfaction is secondary. The result’s the laptop computer equal of oatmeal. It does its job, nevertheless it’s not what most individuals would decide from a menu. While we cherished the keyboard and show, efficiency was less-than-stellar and the value tag is fairly excessive. Read on to be taught extra.

Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight specs and options

The Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight gives dozens of choices that go properly past the processor, RAM, and arduous drive. Shoppers can snag this laptop computer with one in all 5 shows, a Smart Card reader, and an LTE modem, amongst different extras. Dell will even ship the laptop computer with Ubuntu Linux, for those who’d like. 

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1265U
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Iris Xe
• Display:1920 x 1080 non-touch IPS display screen
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Webcam: 720p with privateness shutter
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x 3.5mm audio jack.
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Biometrics: None
• MSRP: Starting round $1,800

My evaluate laptop computer was a mid-range configuration. It had a number of {hardware} upgrades, together with an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, however was lacking extras like LTE cellular knowledge and biometric safety. These modest additions up the as-tested value to an intimidating $2,594.74. 

Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight is the least engaging laptop computer to cross my desk this 12 months. The black magnesium alloy chassis isn’t offensive, nevertheless it’s actually forgettable. The show bezels are small, however not slim sufficient to face out, and the laptop computer has no distinctive markings except for a small Dell brand. 

Pick it up, nevertheless, and also you’ll discover its (lack of) weight. The Latitude 7330 Ultralight lives as much as its identify at a feathery 2.13 kilos. It’s among the many lightest 13-inch laptops offered as we speak. Samsung’s Galaxy Book Pro 13 is the one severe contender that’s lighter, weighing a tad beneath two kilos. 

Low weight doesn’t imply the Latitude 7330 Ultralight is fragile. It lacks the heft of a heavier premium laptop computer, like Apple’s MacBook Air or Dell’s XPS 13, however the chassis is inflexible. It’s superior to options just like the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 13 and LG Gram 14, each of which really feel flimsy. 

Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Latitude 7330 Ultralight is a deal with for typists. It offers a spacious structure and wonderful key really feel with lengthy journey and a crisp, tactile bottoming motion. I additionally loved the palm rests, that are comparatively deep and extensive for a 13-inch laptop computer. 

Though unbelievable to make use of, the keyboard seems ugly and the fabric used for every key’s an affordable plastic that feels paying homage to an getting older motion determine or an affordable storage bin.

A keyboard backlight is accessible however offers simply two brightness settings managed by a perform key shortcut. It seems mediocre, as some keys aren’t evenly lit, and the brightness isn’t particularly excessive at its most setting. 

The touchpad is a combination bag. It’s small, measuring about 4 inches extensive and two inches deep. Windows’ multi-touch gestures can really feel cramped. It’s responsive, nevertheless, and the touchpad’s floor is distinct from the palmrest materials that surrounds it.

Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

Dell gives the Latitude 7330 Ultralight with a bewildering array of 5 show choices. All 5 are 13.3-inch 1080p shows, however some fashions supply contact, they usually differ in most brightness. My evaluate laptop computer had a 13.3-inch, 1080p, non-touch show that claims as much as 400 nits of brightness. My testing positioned it near that determine at 387 nits. 

The show is purposeful, and I imply that in one of the simplest ways potential. It’s clear, sharp, and brilliant. An efficient anti-glare coating tames reflections to maintain the laptop computer usable in a sunlit room. The show is properly suited to doc enhancing, net looking, and different duties that contain working with small fonts.

If you need to get pleasure from leisure, nevertheless, you received’t be happy. The show falls brief in shade gamut, accuracy, and distinction. Alternative laptops with OLED shows, just like the Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED, Dell XPS 13 OLED, and Samsung Galaxy Book Pro2 360, look extra vivid and have deeper, darker black ranges. 

The Latitude 7330 Ultralight’s determination to keep away from OLED is smart, as OLED shows have a shiny coat that may present vital glare. That’s not superb when utilizing a laptop computer in a brilliant atmosphere like an workplace or airport. 

Audio high quality falls flat. The Latitude’s audio system are tinny, weak, and muddy. Dialogue comes via clearly, so video conferencing is pleasant, however music sounds grating and distant. 

The Latitude 7330 Ultralight comes with Waves MaxxAudio Pro software program that alters audio presentation when headphones are related. I turned it off, however was prompted once more every time I related headphones. It’s an annoying little bit of bloatware that’s finest uninstalled. 

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight gives quite a lot of webcam, microphone, and biometric choices. My evaluate laptop computer skipped most of them, providing a fundamental 720p webcam with microphone. Biometric login wasn’t supported, although different configurations can embody a fingerprint reader and IR digital camera.

Video high quality isn’t good. The 720p webcam has first rate shade presentation and brightness, however seems tender and grainy even in good lighting. The microphones are clear, however quantity is a bit low, and background noise cancellation is unreliable.. 

Connectivity

Wired connectivity is an space I’d count on a productiveness laptop computer to face out, however the Latitude 7330 Ultralight is quite fundamental. It has two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 ports, each of which assist DisplayPort and Power Delivery, and a single USB-A Gen 3.2 port. My mannequin additionally had an HDMI 2.0 video output and a 3.5mm audio jack.

That’s it. There’s no Ethernet, no further USB-A ports, and no devoted DisplayPort or mini-DisplayPort. An elective Smart Card Reader is accessible, however this function is of use solely to firms and organizations.

Wireless connectivity, alternatively, is superb. The Latitude 7330 Ultralight helps the most recent Wi-Fi 6E normal and Bluetooth 5.2. My evaluate laptop computer lacked an LTE modem, however Dell gives elective LTE modems with assist for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks (within the United States).

Performance

Though costly, the Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight configuration I reviewed had decidedly mid-range specs. The most vital was the Intel Core i7-1265U processor. It has a complete of ten cores, however solely two are Performance-cores. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

PCMark 10, a basic efficiency benchmark, locations the Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight behind the aggressive set with a rating of simply 5,100. This is an satisfactory rating however, when in comparison with different fashionable laptops of comparable value, the Latitude is clearly behind the curve.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Cinebench R15 multi-threaded benchmark locations the Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight a hair behind the pack. It falls wanting not solely the Intel Core i7-1260P, but additionally AMD’s older Ryzen 7 5800U.

This could appear stunning, because the Core i7-1265U seems to occupy a better place in Intel’s product stack. The key’s within the lettering. The i7-1265U is a part of a processor line that skews in direction of decrease energy draw whereas the i7-1260P leans in direction of efficiency.

Don’t get this flawed: the i7-1265U is a tremendous processor for many duties. Even gentle picture or video enhancing shouldn’t be a difficulty. Still, the Core i7-1260P is best for those who want sustained efficiency in closely multithreaded workloads. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Latitude 7330 Ultralight’s graphics efficiency additionally falls a tad behind the competitors. It manages to barely outpace the HP Pavilion Aero 13, which makes use of AMD Radeon built-in graphics. Yet the Latitude falls considerably behind Intel Iris Xe within the Lenovo Yoga 9i and Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360. 

No one is shopping for this laptop computer for its graphics efficiency, in fact, however an improved rating could be preferable. This stage of efficiency is satisfactory just for enjoying older 3D video games at low element and, in lots of circumstances, a decision beneath 1080p. The Latitude will even wrestle in rendering apps like Blender.

Battery life

The Dell Latitude 7330 Ultralight mannequin I examined had a small 41 watt-hour battery. That’s smaller than common for a 13-inch laptop computer and it has penalties. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

I recorded eight hours and 56 minutes of battery life in PC World’s normal battery take a look at, which loops a 4K file of the brief movie Tears of Steel. This is properly wanting options just like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Samsung’s Galaxy Book Pro fashions, together with the brand new Book Pro2 360. 

Dell gives an improve to a 58 watt-hour battery. That’s a capability improve of about 40 % which, in principle, would put the Latitude 7330 Ultralight in keeping with rivals. This improve is inexpensive, because it’s at the moment priced a hair above $20, and will increase the laptop computer’s weight to about two and a half kilos.

Conclusion

Dell’s Latitude 7330 Ultralight isn’t meant for a mean PC shopper. It’s not meant for PC lovers. It’s not even meant for prosumers. This laptop computer targets huge organizations that need to deploy a whole bunch, probably 1000’s of purposeful, dependable, and similar laptops.

It hits the mark. The Latitude 7330 Ultralight is a straightforward machine with an ideal keyboard, good touchpad, and readable anti-glare show. It’s gentle, packable, and the battery will be topped off with any widespread USB-C charger. It helps the most recent Wi-Fi 6E normal and gives elective cellular knowledge.

Unfortunately, the laptop computer’s flaws make it unappealing for people. It seems and feels a lot cheaper than its excessive price ticket would counsel. Consumer laptops supply superior efficiency at roughly half the value.

This leaves the Latitude 7330 Ultralight in a tough spot. It’s not a nasty laptop computer, actually, however an Apple MacBook Air, Lenovo Yoga 9i, or Dell XPS 13 delivers much more worth.