Dell

Dell 3490 Precision 14" Mobile Workstation Ultra 5

1920 x 108016 GB DDR5

The Dell Precision 3490 is an ultralight 14-inch mobile workstation with Intel Core Ultra processing and ISV-certified reliability.

$1,386.10*
In Stock on Amazon.com
View on Amazon

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 27, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Dell Precision 3490 is designed for professionals who need workstation-grade certification and reliability in a laptop they can carry all day. Weighing just 3.1 pounds with a 14-inch anti-glare Full HD display, it fits comfortably into a travel bag while still providing a usable screen size for CAD, spreadsheets, and multi-window workflows. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor brings a hybrid architecture that balances performance and efficiency, handling compute-intensive tasks on its performance cores while offloading lighter work to efficiency cores to preserve battery life.

Connectivity is a strong suit, with two Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a dedicated Ethernet jack covering virtually any docking or peripheral scenario. The DDR5 memory is upgradable to 64GB, which is essential for users planning to run large assemblies in SolidWorks or complex simulations. The integrated Intel graphics are adequate for 2D drafting, viewport navigation in moderate 3D models, and everyday productivity, but professionals who rely on GPU rendering or real-time visualization should look to the Precision 3480 or 5490 models with discrete graphics options. Dell's advanced thermal design keeps the system cool and quiet even during sustained loads, and ExpressCharge ensures you can top up quickly between meetings.

Key Features

With 16 GB DDR5 SDRAM of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution

The 14" 1920 x 1080 screen provides a great movie watching experience

256 GB total SSD capacity keeps your running programs active while your computer resumes from suspension in seconds

Specifications

Brand
Dell
Model
Precision 3490
Display
14" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
Memory
16GB DDR5 SDRAM (Up to 64GB)
Storage
256GB SSD
Graphics
Integrated Intel Graphics
Operating System
Windows 11
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Ports
2x Thunderbolt, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x HDMI
Keyboard
Ergonomic QWERTY
Webcam
Integrated
Weight
3.1 lbs
Dimensions
15.7"L x 2.5"W x 13.5"H
Features
ExpressCharge, Anti-Glare Screen

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • At 3.1 pounds, it is remarkably light for a workstation-class laptop with a full-size 14-inch display
  • Two Thunderbolt ports provide fast data transfer, daisy-chaining of peripherals, and single-cable docking
  • Intel Core Ultra 5 125H delivers strong multi-threaded performance with improved power efficiency over prior generations
  • Upgradable to 64GB DDR5 ensures the machine can grow with increasingly demanding workloads
  • ExpressCharge support gets the battery to 80% quickly during short breaks

👎 Cons

  • 256GB SSD is undersized for workstation use — CAD files, project assets, and applications fill that quickly
  • Integrated Intel graphics limits this configuration to lighter professional workloads, excluding GPU-heavy rendering
  • The 1920x1080 display resolution is modest for detailed CAD or design work where higher pixel density aids precision
  • 16GB of base RAM may require an immediate upgrade for users working with large assemblies or datasets
  • Single-channel memory in the base configuration may reduce performance until a second DIMM is added

Frequently Asked Questions

Dell Precision workstations undergo ISV (Independent Software Vendor) certification, meaning they are tested and validated to run professional applications like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Revit reliably. They also use workstation-grade drivers optimized for stability.
Yes. The Precision 3490 supports up to 64GB of DDR5 SDRAM, so you can expand memory significantly as your workload demands grow.
No. This configuration uses Intel integrated graphics built into the Core Ultra 5 125H processor. It is sufficient for 2D CAD, light 3D modeling, and general productivity, but not for GPU-intensive rendering.
ExpressCharge rapidly charges the battery to approximately 80% in about one hour when the system is off or in standby, then switches to slower charging to protect long-term battery health.
Yes. It has two Thunderbolt ports, which support high-speed data transfer, external display output, and charging through a single cable connection.