Dell Latitude 13.3" 5350 Basalt Black 2023

A ridiculously light laptop with a comical amount of storage and every port you could dream of, completely let down by a screen that looks like it's from 2010. Buy it for the connectivity and storage, not for the viewing experience.

What surprised us most is how well the Intel Core Ultra 5-125U handles the basics. It's not a screamer, landing right in the middle of the pack for CPU and GPU muscle, but it chews through browser tabs, Office apps, and Slack threads without breaking a sweat. The real shock is the storage. A 256GB NVMe boot drive paired with a massive 20TB HDD is an absolutely bonkers combo for a 13-inch laptop. It's like finding a walk-in closet in a studio apartment. You'll never worry about running out of space for archives, ISOs, or that decade-old photo collection.

This Latitude doesn't really compete with gaming beasts like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or Lenovo Legion 5i. Those will run circles around it in any graphics task. Its real rival is the MSI Prestige 13, another ultra-portable business laptop. The MSI will likely have a much better screen and similar performance, but it can't touch the Dell's insane storage capacity. If you need a tiny laptop with a built-in data center, the Latitude is in a league of its own. For everyone else, the MSI or an Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max are far more balanced machines.

Pricing is all over the map, with a spread of $516 across vendors. At the low end around $1322, it's a compelling niche pick for a specific type of user. At $1838, it's a much harder sell. If you can snag it from the cheapest store, you're getting an unmatched storage and connectivity package for the price. Just don't pay a premium for it.

The Dell Latitude 5350 is a weirdly specific machine that gets a few things spectacularly right and completely whiffs on others. The one thing to know? This is a portability and connectivity monster trapped in a business laptop body, with a screen that feels like a punishment. You get a staggering amount of storage, a CPU that sips power, and more ports than you'll know what to do with. But that dim, washed-out display is a constant reminder that this wasn't built for Netflix binges or creative work.

If you're looking for a vibrant screen for creative work or a machine that can game after hours, this isn't it. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or a MacBook Pro instead. This Latitude is for data hoarders and port addicts who can live with a subpar display.

The Dell Latitude 5350 is a purpose-built tool, not an all-rounder. Buy it if your absolute top priorities are carrying the lightest possible load and having every file you've ever owned on a local drive. If you care even a little bit about screen quality or after-hours gaming, this isn't your laptop. It's a specialist's machine that nails its niche but stumbles hard on everyday basics.