Dell Latitude E5270, Intel Core i5-6300U
Dell Latitude E5270 is made for longevity. That is particularly obvious in the build of the single components. The casing comes in a plain and rectangular design. The build is high-quality and impeccable. Everything fits tight, and nothing wobbles or creaks. No unduly sized gaps are visible. Plastic prevails as the choice of material. However, it has been carbon-fiber reinforced to increase the stiffness while keeping the weight low. We can definitely confirm this since it is virtually impossible to warp the base. However, the lid can be twisted with some effort. The base unit could be dented in the area of the multi-touchpad in the pressure test, but it was not possible to dent the edges or keyboard center. A minor wave formation can be seen when applying pressure to the lid’s back.
The lid can be rotated wonderfully to the desired position thanks to its 180-degree hinge. The small hinges are additionally enclosed in an anodized metal cover. This small, colorful border frames the rear-sided Ethernet port and power-in socket as well as a part of the lid. The device has a premium feel and conveys a very high-quality impression to the person holding it. The lid’s surface features a soft-touch finish that is, however, very receptive for fingerprints. A logo adorns the center of the outer shell. The base has a slightly roughened texture on the underside, which contributes to grip when carrying the laptop. The upper side is quite sleek and feels good when working with the device. The laptop weighs 1.6 kilograms and is thus heavier than all comparison devices in this test.
Connectivity
The diversity of interfaces in Dell’s Latitude 12 E5270 is decent and clearly arranged. An HDMI and VGA out are on the rear and allow connecting external monitors. One of the three USB 3.0 ports and a LAN socket are also situated here. The other two USB 3.0 ports are on the left and right sides. This layout prevents obstructing a neighboring port when bigger USB flash drives are inserted. A SmartCard reader that could be a purchase criterion for a business device is also found on the left. Dell installs the card reader that supports all common formats (MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC) diagonally under the USB port. We tested its performance with our Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II reference card. Using the AS SSD benchmark program, we achieved a sequential read rate of 216.39 MB/s and sequential write rate of 119.08 MB/s. Those are good outcomes, and that places Dell’s Latitude 12 E5270 clearly above the average. We could not perform our reference test of transferring 289 JPEG files since the installed hard drive is too slow and would have a negative impact on the test result.
Communication
Wireless communication is made possible by Intel’s Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2. This Wi-Fi module (2x 801.11ac) would theoretically enable a maximum gross transmission rate of 867 Mbit/s. We achieved a reception rate of 561 Mbit/s and a transmission rate of 463 Mbit/s in the test where ideal conditions are simulated with our reference router Linksys EA8500. The Ethernet port on the rear can also be used for connecting to networks. It operates at a maximum of 1000 Mbit/s. Dell’s Latitude 12 E5270 did not have any difficulties copying large data volumes from an NAS.
Security
Security should be an important aspect in a business device, and Dell’s laptop is very impressive here. Dell offers its customers a wide range of security features. Our review sample features a fingerprint scanner, TPM 1.2 chip, Kensington lock, Smartcard reader and an NFC module (FIPS 140-2 level 3). The fingerprint scanner is a touch sensor that enables fast identification.
Dell also optionally offers some software solutions, such as Computrace and DDP (Dell Data Protection) products.
Accessories
The accessories include a quick-start guide as well as driver and utility CD. Business devices are often connected to docking stations for keeping the desk tidy. It also provides additional interfaces. Dell presently does not offer a special docking station for its Latitude 12 E5270. The port replicator from the former lineup will likely also be supported by the
Maintenance
The entire base tray has to be removed for cleaning the fan. This undertaking is easily possible by releasing the screws. The battery, hard drive, RAM and Wi-Fi card can be accessed after removing the tray. The components’ arrangement looks cleaned up, and it would be possible to replace single components without problems.
Warranty
Dell only includes a 12-month warranty (Pro-Support and on-site service on the next business day) on the Latitude 12 E5270 from date of purchase. This extensive protection can be upgraded to 48 months optionally. Dell charges a nonrecurring fee of 192 Euros (~$214) for this.
Input Devices
Keyboard
Dell does not make compromises with the keyboard and installs the same input device as found in the E5250 in its E5270. The keys have a pleasant size and a long, soft drop. Their surface is relatively sleek, but it still provides enough grip for fast and prolonged typing. The stroke noise is agreeably quiet so that neighboring colleagues will not be distracted. All keys fit firmly and do not clatter. Furthermore, the keyboard is spill-proof. The subtle backlight ensures good legibility in dark work environments.
Touchpad
Although Dell’s Latitude 12 E5270 is a pure business laptop, Dell still does not install a TrackPoint. The touchpad is nevertheless a good mouse replacement. It has a gliding surface of 10 x 5.3 centimeters, and multi-touch inputs can be performed smoothly and accurately. The corners are still a problem zone. Two dedicated keys complete the touchpad. Like the keyboard, both keys have a soft drop and are pleasantly quiet when tapped.
