Used ThinkPad or Dell Latitude: which should you buy?

When you look for a used ThinkPad or a used Dell Latitude, you are choosing between the two most popular business lines on the second-hand market. Both are durable, easy to repair and widely available at gentle prices. The differences show up in daily use: the keyboard, the ports and the way the models are named. This comparison helps you pick the one that suits you.

What they share, and why both are worth buying

ThinkPads and Latitudes are designed for businesses: sturdy shells, durable hinges, easy access to the battery, RAM and SSD, and spare parts that are easy to find. When companies refresh their fleets, large numbers of the same model reach the used market, so prices are good and it is easy to find a clean unit. For office work, study and light programming, a recent model from either line runs well.

ThinkPad versus Dell Latitude at a glance

Reading the name to judge how recent it is

On a ThinkPad, look for the Gen number: a T14 Gen 3 is newer than a T14 Gen 1. Older lines used three digits such as T480 and T490, where a higher number means newer. On a Latitude, the last two digits give a rough idea of the generation: a 5430 is newer than a 5420, and a 7490 belongs to the generation before the 7400. Even so, the surest way is to read the CPU name in the listing.

Used ThinkPad: models worth a look

• T series (T480, T490, T14): balanced, tough and upgradeable, the safe choice for most people.
• X series (X280, X390, X13): compact, for people who carry their laptop everywhere.
• X1 Carbon: light, premium, with a lovely screen; RAM is usually soldered, so buy enough from the start.
• P series: workstations with professional graphics, heavier to carry.

Used Dell Latitude: models worth a look

• Latitude 5000 (5400, 5420, 5430): the most common, with plenty of ports at fair prices.
• Latitude 7000 (7400, 7420, 7430): better finish, slimmer and lighter.
• Latitude 3000: cheaper, but the shell and screen are usually a step below the other two.

Model-specific checks when buying used

Beyond the usual checks on battery, screen and hinges, each line has a few extra things worth testing. On a ThinkPad, try the TrackPoint to see whether the cursor drifts on its own, press all three mouse buttons above the touchpad and switch on the keyboard backlight. On a Latitude, test the fingerprint reader and smart card slot if fitted, and plug into the Ethernet and HDMI ports, since people who choose this line often rely on them. On both, open the BIOS to make sure it is not password-locked, check that the seller's warranty seal is intact, and confirm that the charger supplied has the wattage the laptop expects.

The verdict

If you type a lot and care about keyboard feel, choose a ThinkPad. If you need lots of ports for projectors and wired networks, choose a Latitude. Otherwise, pick whichever unit has the newer CPU generation, an SSD, at least 8GB of RAM and better condition, regardless of brand. Browse ThinkPad laptops and Dell laptops, or use the laptop finder to filter by what you need, ranked by an independent score.