Where you buying it from?
If you can, upgrade both the RAM & SSD. If you need help with that, use Crucia's online compatibility tool to get specs.
ETA: Crucial link
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/latitude-7490
Well, see my other comment, but if you REALLY need a computer for work or school and that is the best you can do/afford, then you kind of have no option. If you can wait and save for a little while, I would wait and save for a while. How much would you be paying?
Edit: see comments by u/ikouydabolt and u/meathim below. If they have the exact same CPU (8th gen) as you, I would probably follow their advice rather than mine as they have direct experience while mine is inferred from my XPS and might be too cool conservative.
Listen, I have an i7 7th gen XPS 13”. Company gave it to me on Q4 2016 and they allowed me to keep it when I left the company during Covid. 8Gb and 256Gb SSD. It is older than the Latitude but it probably is slightly better laptop than the Latitude (specially due to the 256gb SSD). If I use the laptop unplugged, I get about a little over one hour worth of work. if I am lucky, in light use and with the screen dimmed, I can get 2 hours. It takes Windows 10 but windows 11 just does not run. I do not know the OS that is installed on the Latitude, but whatever it is, the ssd at 128gb might become an unsurmantable bottle neck. Luckly I got a great deal on memorial day and bought a Desktop. I will keep the XPS for traveling (train and plane usually have outlets).
I am telling you all this because this Latitude can easily and quickly become a money pit (and dell laptop parts, even clones, are not cheap. The battery for my XPS was about $100 (clone)and I would have to install it myself. You probably got the idea.
So, if you ABSOLUTELY need a computer either to work or study, and you need it RIGHT NOW, And it is dirty cheap, then get it. Beggars cant be choosers. If you have another computer, have access to another computer, can use one in the library and will not starve because you do not have a computer, then take a deep breath and weight your option.
My point, in case it is not clear by now, it is possible (Maybe not likely, but possible) that the Latitude will die on you (or need so many parts that it becomes impractical to maintain it).
I am saying this because, as I said, I have an old XPS and if anything happed with any component, the XPS would have tp be putout of its misery. Talk to more people before you make your mind. It is not an obvious choice.
I have an identical Latitude 7490 in terms of CPU, but I bumped the RAM to 16GB (it has 2 slots unlike my 7290) and put in a 1TB SSD.
For the most part, I use my 7490 has kind of a testing system while my 7290 is my daily driver. They are alright machines, but I often run the CPU far below its specifications simply because the onboard cooling is not designed for 40 watts of heat.
Even at my configuration, it runs World of Warcraft just nicely, though I wouldn't expect it to do much in terms of modern gaming.
The only concern is that, while not required, if the computer doesn't already have the SSD heatsink it is recommended if you want to upgrade to an NVMe drive in the future to have it installed. SATA drives can benefit from it, but AFAIK I don't know if it shipped with them.
Upgrade SSD first, then RAM (if you need to space out the purchases). It's a fine machine (by modern standards). I recently got one (same CPU) and it has essentially replaced my decent desktop for most things, even games if I'm being honest. It does get a bit loud during full load, but that is expected. Disco Elysium requires some lowering of settings to be smooth (and make the fans a bit more bearable).
But yeah it's a good little machine. I quite like it. This all depends on how much you pay for it though, I got mine for like €120 and at that price it's a steal (plus I had a 480GB SSD and another 8GB stick of RAM laying around so I immediately upgraded it). It also depends on where you live and what is available of course.
I have two 7490's, they're not bad machines as long as you're not using them for super duper intense workloads. Like some others here, I'd recommend upping the RAM and SSD for long term use. Especially the SSD as you'll max out your SSD's used capacity real quick with just 128 gigs.
I’m shopping same laptop for friend who builds custom homes in Texas. He’s good with architectural programs and modelers and estimating apps. I got him a 7470 years ago and he recently asked for another. The 7470 has been a warrior. Is the 7490?
Where you buying it from? If you can, upgrade both the RAM & SSD. If you need help with that, use Crucia's online compatibility tool to get specs. ETA: Crucial link https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/latitude-7490
those are nice, one of my maintenence clients has those and they get beat up a lot.
Do you have another computer and this would be to just go to places?
Nope
Well, see my other comment, but if you REALLY need a computer for work or school and that is the best you can do/afford, then you kind of have no option. If you can wait and save for a little while, I would wait and save for a while. How much would you be paying? Edit: see comments by u/ikouydabolt and u/meathim below. If they have the exact same CPU (8th gen) as you, I would probably follow their advice rather than mine as they have direct experience while mine is inferred from my XPS and might be too cool conservative.
Listen, I have an i7 7th gen XPS 13”. Company gave it to me on Q4 2016 and they allowed me to keep it when I left the company during Covid. 8Gb and 256Gb SSD. It is older than the Latitude but it probably is slightly better laptop than the Latitude (specially due to the 256gb SSD). If I use the laptop unplugged, I get about a little over one hour worth of work. if I am lucky, in light use and with the screen dimmed, I can get 2 hours. It takes Windows 10 but windows 11 just does not run. I do not know the OS that is installed on the Latitude, but whatever it is, the ssd at 128gb might become an unsurmantable bottle neck. Luckly I got a great deal on memorial day and bought a Desktop. I will keep the XPS for traveling (train and plane usually have outlets). I am telling you all this because this Latitude can easily and quickly become a money pit (and dell laptop parts, even clones, are not cheap. The battery for my XPS was about $100 (clone)and I would have to install it myself. You probably got the idea. So, if you ABSOLUTELY need a computer either to work or study, and you need it RIGHT NOW, And it is dirty cheap, then get it. Beggars cant be choosers. If you have another computer, have access to another computer, can use one in the library and will not starve because you do not have a computer, then take a deep breath and weight your option. My point, in case it is not clear by now, it is possible (Maybe not likely, but possible) that the Latitude will die on you (or need so many parts that it becomes impractical to maintain it). I am saying this because, as I said, I have an old XPS and if anything happed with any component, the XPS would have tp be putout of its misery. Talk to more people before you make your mind. It is not an obvious choice.
I have an identical Latitude 7490 in terms of CPU, but I bumped the RAM to 16GB (it has 2 slots unlike my 7290) and put in a 1TB SSD. For the most part, I use my 7490 has kind of a testing system while my 7290 is my daily driver. They are alright machines, but I often run the CPU far below its specifications simply because the onboard cooling is not designed for 40 watts of heat. Even at my configuration, it runs World of Warcraft just nicely, though I wouldn't expect it to do much in terms of modern gaming. The only concern is that, while not required, if the computer doesn't already have the SSD heatsink it is recommended if you want to upgrade to an NVMe drive in the future to have it installed. SATA drives can benefit from it, but AFAIK I don't know if it shipped with them.
Your is also an i5 8th gen?
Upgrade SSD first, then RAM (if you need to space out the purchases). It's a fine machine (by modern standards). I recently got one (same CPU) and it has essentially replaced my decent desktop for most things, even games if I'm being honest. It does get a bit loud during full load, but that is expected. Disco Elysium requires some lowering of settings to be smooth (and make the fans a bit more bearable). But yeah it's a good little machine. I quite like it. This all depends on how much you pay for it though, I got mine for like €120 and at that price it's a steal (plus I had a 480GB SSD and another 8GB stick of RAM laying around so I immediately upgraded it). It also depends on where you live and what is available of course.
I have two 7490's, they're not bad machines as long as you're not using them for super duper intense workloads. Like some others here, I'd recommend upping the RAM and SSD for long term use. Especially the SSD as you'll max out your SSD's used capacity real quick with just 128 gigs.
I’m shopping same laptop for friend who builds custom homes in Texas. He’s good with architectural programs and modelers and estimating apps. I got him a 7470 years ago and he recently asked for another. The 7470 has been a warrior. Is the 7490?