Dell Latitude 3400 review

A budget Latitude with an entry-level discrete GPU

The Dell Latitude 3400 (2017) pairs a quad-core Core i5-8265U with NVIDIA's GeForce MX130 (entry-level discrete) and 32 GB of RAM in a business chassis. At about $250 it sits in the ultra-budget tier, below the $297 category median. The headline is the discrete GPU — uncommon at this price — but the MX130 is a weak part even by 2017 standards, and the reliability index sits well below the category median.

Where it shines: discrete graphics (relatively)

The MX130 is technically a discrete GPU, which is unusual in this price band. In absolute terms the GPU is modest, but it's enough to give the Latitude 3400 a graphics score above the business-laptop median. The capability fit is mixed: minimum-setting Overwatch and Grand Theft Auto V (the latter at a measured 140 fps) are within reach, but Far Cry 5 at minimum settings is clearly unplayable. The discrete GPU helps with very light titles but doesn't open up modern gaming.

Where it doesn't: reliability

The reliability index sits well below the category median, reflecting the 2017 vintage and the budget-tier original build. The CPU score is also in the office band rather than above median, which limits headroom for CPU-bound workloads. Buyers should expect a serviceable but aging machine.

Price trajectory

From an original $1,300 MSRP, the Latitude 3400 has depreciated to about $250 today — an annual rate near 7.6%. Projected forward, another two years bring it to roughly $214, a 14.6% drop. The curve has flattened.

How it compares

Slightly above it, the Dell Latitude 5491 ($278) and Dell Latitude 5410 ($269) are the natural step-up alternatives — newer or better-built business hardware for a small premium. Below it, the Dell Latitude 3500 ($234) and HP ProBook 450 G6 ($217) are cheaper alternatives in the same office-tier band.

Bottom line

The Latitude 3400 is worth the asking price for buyers who specifically want a discrete GPU in an ultra-budget business laptop and accept the trade-offs: weak long-term reliability and a CPU that's adequate rather than strong. The MX130 helps with the lightest titles but doesn't enable modern gaming — Far Cry 5 at minimum settings is unplayable. For pure office work, the cheaper ProBook 450 G6 at $217 is worth a close look.