DELL Precision 5490 Mobile Workstation (2024)

The DELL Precision 5490 Mobile Workstation (2024) is a 14-inch mobile workstation built for engineers, architects and designers who need to run professional software but still want a machine compact enough to carry every day. It runs on Intel Core Ultra H-series vPro processors, offers optional professional NVIDIA RTX Ada graphics, and fits it all into a 1.48kg chassis. This article covers the design, display, performance and connectivity, plus the points you should weigh before buying.

Dell Precision 5490 Design: Slim, Compact and Just 1.48kg

The Dell Precision 5490 has a minimalist gray metal chassis, and its slim display bezels make the machine more compact than many 14-inch models in its class. It weighs 1.48kg and measures 310.60mm wide and 210.35mm deep, with a thickness of 7.49mm at the front edge, 11.09mm at the rear edge and up to 18.95mm at its peak.

At this size, it slips easily into a 14-inch backpack, which suits people who regularly move between the office, job sites and client meetings. If you are looking for a workstation-class Dell laptop but don't want to carry a bulky 15- or 16-inch machine, the Precision 5490 is well worth considering.

Precision 5490 Display: 14-Inch 16:10, 100% sRGB and 500 Nits

The Precision 5490 (2024) comes with two 14-inch 16:10 display options. The FHD+ (1920 x 1200) panel is non-touch, while the QHD+ (2560 x 1600) panel is a touchscreen. Both cover 100% sRGB, reach 500 nits of brightness, run at a 60Hz refresh rate and include a low blue light mode to protect your eyes during long work sessions.

Full sRGB coverage is accurate enough for design work, photo editing and video editing for the web. With 500 nits of brightness, the screen stays easy to read when you sit near a window or work out in the field. The QHD+ version renders CAD drawings and text more sharply, while the FHD+ version is typically more power-efficient. The 60Hz panel serves work well but is not meant for fast-paced gaming.

Dell Precision 5490 Performance With Intel Core Ultra vPro, RTX Ada Graphics and LPDDR5X RAM

The Dell Precision 5490 offers four Intel Core Ultra processor options from the Meteor Lake generation. The Core Ultra 5 135H has 14 cores and 18 threads with a max boost of 4.6GHz. The Core Ultra 7 155H and Core Ultra 7 165H have 16 cores and 22 threads, boosting to 4.8GHz and 5.0GHz respectively. The Core Ultra 9 185H also has 16 cores and 22 threads, with a max boost of 5.1GHz. The versions currently listed at Hung Phat Laptop use the Core Ultra 7 165H or the Core Ultra 9 185H.

Source: average scores from Notebookcheck. Real-world results may vary depending on the power mode and ambient temperature; the Core Ultra 7 165H scores are based on a small number of samples and are for reference only.

In real-world use, the Core Ultra 7 165H and Core Ultra 7 155H deliver nearly identical performance, enough for 2D CAD, mid-size 3D modeling, programming and Full HD video editing. The Core Ultra 9 185H is clearly faster in multi-core workloads and is worth choosing if you regularly render on the CPU, compile large projects or run simulations. All four chips include an Intel AI Boost NPU and integrated Intel Arc graphics.

On the graphics side, the base version uses integrated Intel Arc graphics, while higher configurations add a discrete NVIDIA RTX 1000 Ada 6GB, RTX 2000 Ada 8GB or RTX 3000 Ada 8GB GDDR6 card. These are professional RTX cards for workstations, with support for Ray Tracing and AI acceleration, well suited to design, 3D rendering and video editing software.

Source: average scores from Notebookcheck. The RTX 1000 Ada has no data in the reference table yet. In a thin 14-inch chassis, discrete graphics typically run at lower power than in larger workstations, so real-world scores may be lower.

The Dell Precision 5490 uses LPDDR5X 7467MHz RAM in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB options; the versions currently listed all come with 32GB, enough for heavy multitasking and mid-size 3D projects. This type of RAM is usually soldered to the motherboard, so choose the capacity you need from the start, and go with 64GB if you run simulations or build large scenes. The PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSD comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB options and can be swapped for a larger drive when needed.

AI, Security and Meetings on the Dell Precision 5490: NPU, vPro, IR Webcam and 8W Speakers

The Intel Core Ultra chips in the Dell Precision 5490 include an NPU that handles AI tasks such as background blur and noise suppression in video calls, easing the load on the CPU and GPU. The vPro platform together with Windows 11 Pro helps enterprise IT teams manage, update and secure the machine remotely.

The 720p 30fps webcam has an IR sensor for facial sign-in with Windows Hello, along with an ambient light sensor. A four-speaker system rated at 2W each, 8W in total, delivers clear sound for meetings and videos. If you livestream often or need a sharper image than 720p, you can add an external webcam through a Thunderbolt port.

Dell Precision 5490 Ports and Battery: 4 Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7 and a 72Wh Battery

The Dell Precision 5490 has four Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) ports split evenly across both sides, all supporting Power Delivery charging and DisplayPort output, plus a headset (headphone/microphone) jack and an optional microSD card reader. You can charge from either side and connect multiple external monitors through a Thunderbolt dock.

The machine has no USB-A or HDMI ports, so you will need a USB-C adapter or a Thunderbolt dock to plug in a mouse, older USB devices or a projector. Wireless connectivity comes from an Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 2x2 card and Bluetooth 5, which stay stable when transferring large project files over the network.

The 72Wh battery charges through a Thunderbolt 4 port, and real-world runtime depends heavily on the discrete graphics configuration and workload. When you work away from an outlet, switching to a power-saving mode and lowering the screen brightness will help the battery last longer; for heavy rendering, keep the charger plugged in so the machine maintains stable performance.

DELL Precision 5490 Mobile Workstation (2024) Overview and Review

The DELL Precision 5490 Mobile Workstation (2024) is a 14-inch workstation that balances a 1.48kg weight, a 100% sRGB 500-nit display, Intel Core Ultra vPro processors and professional RTX Ada graphics. It suits engineers, architects, designers and video editors who need to carry their machine every day.

The trade-offs: it lacks USB-A and HDMI, but a small USB-C adapter solves that. The RAM usually cannot be upgraded, so choose enough capacity when you buy. The discrete GPU in this thin chassis runs at lower power than in larger workstations; if you need sustained GPU rendering for hours at a time, consider a 16-inch machine. You can browse more models in the same line in the Dell Precision 14 category.

Where to Buy a Genuine Dell Precision 5490 (2024) at a Great Price?

Do you work in 2D CAD, 3D modeling or simulation? The Hung Phat Laptop team will ask about the software you use. Based on that, we will advise whether the Dell Precision 5490 with RTX 1000 Ada or RTX 2000 Ada fits you better, and whether to choose the FHD+ or the QHD+ touch display. If you need a thin and light 14-inch workstation laptop, we are happy to compare each configuration with you.

Every machine we sell is a genuine product, brand new in full box, with a complete invoice. Warranty terms are stated clearly on the warranty card. Machines with manufacturer defects can be exchanged within the first 30 days. Our technicians can help upgrade the SSD when you need more storage. You also get long-term technical support and nationwide delivery. Order now at Hung Phat Laptop.