When Dell means business, it doesn't kid around. The Dell Latitude E5420 is one of the toughest-looking corporate laptops I've seen that isn't specifically designated as ruggedized. From its dark grey, brushed anodized aluminum case to its magnesium-based insides and sturdy-looking hinges and lock, everything about it screams "hard-core business tool."
What really sets the E5420 apart is its 9.5-hour battery life, which is two to three times greater than that of the chart-toppers. If you're going places where power outlets aren't always available, the E5420 would certainly be an appealing option for its longevity alone. Note, however, that our test unit came with the top-of-the-line, nine-cell, 97-watt-hour lithium ion battery, which sticks out on the back edge; you can opt to save money and maybe lighten the load a bit by configuring the E5420 with a weaker battery, which would of course reduce battery life. I noticed a hotspot on the left underside of the E5420 after a few hours' use, but the keyboard and top surfaces stayed cool and comfortable.
The E5420 has several other features that should endear it to corporate IT buyers and their constituents. It has both a joystick and a touchpad (no need to fight that ergonomic war with a large user base); although neither input device is the best I've been, both are certainly adequate. The superb keyboard has nicely sculpted keys that are a joy to use; its backlight comes on the moment you touch a key, and goes dark after a period of nonuse to save battery life.
The 14-inch widescreen LED-backlit display is bright and crisp, with an unusually high resolution--1600 by 900--for its size. It's inset in a fairly wide bezel for added damage protection. The E5420's built-in speakers produce surprisingly robust audio, and although our test unit lacked a webcam, you can opt to configure the machine with one. However, while the laptop does have a built-in microphone, it offers no option to plug in separate headphone and microphone jacks--you get only a combined audio-mic port.