Case
If you are willing to pay more than 1,000 Euros (~56) for an entry-level configuration with average hardware equipment you can definitely expect excellent case quality. Even though the E7440 does look quite simple at first there is a real high-tech product underneath this discreet business suit. The matte black base unit with a convenient soft touch surface was made of materials like aluminum and magnesium alloy to find the best combination of mobility and stability.
The result is excellent: With a thickness of just 2.1 centimeters and a weight of 1.63 kg (including the 3-cell battery) the Latitude 14 manages top values for its class. Even the torsion resistance is okay for such a thin notebook, although it cannot quite keep up with some high-end ultrabooks. We do not want to overstate this flexibility since there are no annoying creaking noises even under heavy pressure.
Connectivity
The E7440 cannot offer special features like Thunderbolt but the user gets all important ports in a sufficient number. Besides three USB 3.0 ports - one can be used to charge USB devices while the notebook is turned off - Dell also integrated Gbit LAN, an SD card reader as well as two digital display outputs. You can either use HDMI or a mini DisplayPort to attach even large high-resolution external displays. A VGA port is not directly available but can be used with an optional adaptor. Many more ports are offered by the Dell Port-Replicator II, which is available for 180 Euros (~4) and can be attached via docking port at the bottom of the notebook.
Except for the stereo jack and one USB port all ports are located at the back of the device. This might complicate the handling in some situations, but you won't have any problems with attached cables or peripherals.