Hidden Gem: Refurbished Dell 5400 Notebook Review

As someone who’s been immersed in web development for over a decade, I've gone through a fair share of laptops. Currently, I’m rocking a ZBook Firefly 14" G10 with an AMD Ryzen 7840HS and a monstrous 64GB of RAM. It’s a beast, no doubt. But when I recently picked up a refurbished Dell 5400 notebook with an Intel Core i5-8365U, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB NVMe SSD for under 200€ as a temporary replacement for my wife, my expectations were modest. To my surprise, this little machine has proven to be quite impressive in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

First Impressions: The Dell 5400

Straight out of the box, the Dell 5400 doesn’t scream high-end. Its design is functional, with a sturdy build that suggests it can handle the daily grind. As a refurbished model, it had a few minor cosmetic blemishes, but nothing that detracted from its overall appeal. The understated aesthetics are perfect for professional environments, giving it a sleek, no-nonsense look.

Performance: Punching Above Its Weight

Given its specs, the Dell 5400 isn’t designed to run modern AAA games, especially when compared to the capable AMD 780M iGPU chip in my HP Firefly. However, for everyday tasks like coding, browsing, and multimedia consumption, it handles itself remarkably well. The Intel Core i5-8365U processor, while not the latest, offers solid performance for most applications and is supported by Windows 11. The 16GB of RAM is more than adequate for multitasking, allowing me to run multiple development environments, browser tabs, and office applications simultaneously without any noticeable lag.

A few years back, I owned a ThinkPad T480s with a similar Intel 8000 series processor. Having used both, I can attest to the real-world performance of these machines. The Dell 5400, despite being refurbished, holds its own quite well against the T480s, providing a smooth and responsive experience across various tasks.

Thunderbolt: The Standard You Need in 2024

One of the standout features of the Dell 5400 is its Thunderbolt port. This addition is a rare find in budget laptops and opens up a world of possibilities. From connecting high-speed external storage to driving multiple displays, the Thunderbolt port significantly enhances the notebook’s versatility. At home, I use a Lenovo docking station with the Dell 5400, and it works like a charm. The Thunderbolt port allows me to effortlessly snap it into my existing home office setup, which includes a Monoprice 35" UWQHD display, multiple USB devices, and power delivery up to 120W. This feature alone makes it a compelling choice for IT apprentices and university students who need a reliable and adaptable machine.

Upgrades: WiFi 6E, Faster, Better, Stronger

To further enhance its capabilities, I upgraded the Dell 5400 with an Intel AX210 wireless card, bringing it up to Wi-Fi 6E standards. The upgrade was a breeze and instantly improved the laptop’s internet speed and stability. But that’s not all—the AX210 also includes Bluetooth 5.3. This latest Bluetooth version offers more reliable connections and reduces power consumption, perfect for those who use wireless peripherals like headphones and mice, which my wife does a lot. If you’re looking to future-proof your device, this upgrade is a must.

Practical Use: Seamless Integration

In practical use, the Dell 5400 integrates seamlessly into my workflow. While it doesn’t have the raw power of my HP Firefly, it’s more than capable of handling development environments, light photo editing, and video streaming. The combination of the Intel Core i5-8365U processor and 16GB of RAM ensures smooth performance across a variety of tasks. For those in tech fields, this refurbished notebook is a fantastic entry-level option that doesn’t feel like a compromise and it’s only 1.5 kg.

Keyboard: A Pleasant Surprise

As a self-proclaimed ThinkPad fanboy, I’m quite particular about notebook keyboards. The Dell 5400’s keyboard has been a pleasant surprise. It offers a satisfying tactile response and comfortable key travel, making long typing sessions less of a chore. While it may not match the legendary ThinkPad keyboards, it’s certainly one of the best I’ve experienced on a non-ThinkPad device.

Value for Money: Unbeatable

At under 200€, to be precise 179€, the Dell 5400 is a steal. It’s an ideal choice for students or anyone starting in IT who needs a reliable, affordable machine. The performance and features it offers at this price point are hard to beat, making it a smart investment. Its durability and build quality suggest it can withstand the demands of daily use, further adding to its value proposition. The only downside you may run into would be a used battery, but we thankfully live in the EU and you can test if the battery life is still in range of your needs or send it back if you buy it at any refurbished store.

Conclusion: A Positive Surprise

The refurbished Dell 5400 has surprised me in the best possible way. While it won’t replace my HP Firefly for heavy-duty tasks or gaming, it’s proven to be an incredibly capable and versatile machine. Its Thunderbolt port, solid performance, and unbeatable price make it a recommendation for anyone needing a budget-friendly laptop without compromising too much on functionality. The addition of the Intel AX210 for Wi-Fi 6E support only sweetens the deal. Whether you’re an IT apprentice, a university student, or someone looking for a secondary machine, the Dell 5400 is worth considering.

I even tried making it my daily driver for two weeks before handing it over to my wife. During this period, I ran Ubuntu 24.04 and Windows 11 Pro in a dual-boot setup to fully test its capabilities. In the end, this little gem reminded me that sometimes, it’s not about having the latest and greatest hardware. It’s about finding the right tool for the job, one that gets the work done efficiently and reliably. And for that, the Dell 5400 has earned its place in my tech arsenal.