Dell vs HP vs Lenovo Laptops: Same-Budget Performance Deep Dive
By the Tech Convenience Store team — certified refurbished laptop specialists, Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi.
Dell vs HP vs Lenovo A Same-Budget Performance Deep Dive
Three brands, three different chip platforms, all within KSh 1,000 of each other. We picked the Dell Latitude 7390 2-in-1, HP EliteBook 745 G6, and Lenovo ThinkPad T490s specifically because they're priced almost identically — which makes this a genuine same-budget test of what each brand's engineering choices actually buy you.A note on methodology: this comparison is built from documented, publicly verifiable processor specifications (cores, threads, clock speeds) and well-established architecture-level performance characteristics — not lab benchmark numbers run on these specific units. We haven't run Cinebench or PassMark on these exact refurbished laptops, and real-world results on any individual used unit will also depend on its condition and thermal maintenance. Where a listing didn't specify an exact detail (like the Dell's precise CPU model or SSD interface), we've said so rather than guessing.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (Core i7-8550U) has the strongest CPU on paper — highest boost clock and the only confirmed NVMe drive of the three. The HP EliteBook 745 G6 (Ryzen 5 PRO) has by far the best integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8 vs Intel UHD 620), but the least RAM at 8GB. The Dell Latitude 7390 2-in-1 is the most balanced all-rounder with 16GB RAM and 2-in-1 versatility, though its exact CPU model isn't confirmed. There's no single overall winner — each pulls ahead in a different category.
Quick verdict, by priority:
• Fastest CPU on paper: Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (i7-8550U)
• Best integrated graphics: HP EliteBook 745 G6 (Radeon Vega 8)
• Best all-round balance + 2-in-1 flexibility: Dell Latitude 7390
• Fastest storage (confirmed): Lenovo ThinkPad T490s (NVMe)
• Most RAM for multitasking: Dell and Lenovo tie at 16GB
The Three Contenders
CPU Architecture, Head to Head
| Spec | Dell (i5, 8th Gen) | HP (Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U) | Lenovo (i7-8550U) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4C / 8T (typical for 8th Gen U-series i5) | 4C / 8T | 4C / 8T |
| Base clock | Not confirmed in listing | 2.1 GHz | 1.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | Not confirmed in listing | 3.7 GHz | 4.0 GHz ⭐ |
| Integrated GPU | Intel UHD 620 | Radeon Vega 8 ⭐ | Intel UHD 620 |
| TDP class | 15W (typical U-series) | 15W | 15W |
Core/thread counts and TDP class reflect standard specifications for these chip families. Dell's exact CPU model wasn't listed, so its precise base/boost clocks aren't confirmed — 8th generation Core i5 U-series chips in this class typically sit close to, but a step behind, the i7-8550U's boost clock.
All three use quad-core, eight-thread mobile chips from the same general era, so the headline "how many cores" question is a wash. What actually separates them is clock speed and, in HP's case, a completely different graphics architecture. The Lenovo's i7-8550U has the highest confirmed boost clock of the three, meaning it should feel snappiest during short bursts of demanding work — opening large files, brief compile jobs, quick exports. The HP's Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U trades a slightly lower boost clock for dramatically stronger integrated graphics.
Where Each One Actually Wins
Category Scorecard
| Category | Dell | HP | Lenovo |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU clock speed (confirmed) | — | 🥈 | 🥇 |
| Integrated graphics | 🥉 | 🥇 | 🥉 |
| RAM | 🥇 | 🥉 | 🥇 |
| Confirmed storage speed | — | — | 🥇 |
| Form factor versatility | 🥇 | 🥈 | 🥈 |
| Price | 🥇 tie | 🥇 tie | 🥈 |
— indicates the spec wasn't confirmed in the listing for fair comparison, not a loss. No single laptop wins every category — that's the honest takeaway of a same-budget, cross-brand comparison.
The Honest Verdict
If you want the fastest-feeling CPU and confirmed fast storage, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is the pick, for KSh 1,000 more than the other two. If your work involves any light gaming, video, or multiple external monitors, the HP EliteBook 745 G6's Radeon Vega 8 graphics are a genuine, noticeable advantage that neither competitor matches — accept the 8GB RAM trade-off if that matters more to you than multitasking headroom. If you want the most balanced spec sheet with 16GB RAM and the flexibility of a 2-in-1 design, the Dell Latitude 7390 is the safest all-round choice, even without a confirmed exact CPU model.
There's no wrong answer among these three at this price — the "best" one depends entirely on which single factor matters most to your specific work.
Our honest advice at the shop: when people ask us to compare brands directly like this, we tell them what we told you here — at the same price point, no brand wins across the board. We'll ask what you actually do with the laptop day to day before recommending one of these three, rather than pushing whichever one we happen to have more of in stock. Come try all three in person if you're unsure. Shop U11, Tom Mboya Street, or WhatsApp 0714 722 264.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster: the Dell Latitude 7390, HP EliteBook 745 G6, or Lenovo ThinkPad T490s?
Based on documented processor specifications, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s with its Core i7-8550U has the highest boost clock speed of the three and is likely the strongest for single-threaded and burst performance. The HP EliteBook 745 G6's Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U is competitive in multi-core workloads and has notably stronger integrated graphics. The Dell's exact i5 model wasn't specified in available listings, but 8th generation Core i5 chips generally sit a step behind both the i7 and the Ryzen 5 in raw multi-core throughput.
Does AMD Ryzen or Intel Core perform better in these refurbished business laptops?
It depends on the workload. AMD's Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U in the HP EliteBook 745 G6 has notably stronger integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8) than the Intel UHD 620 found in both the Dell and Lenovo, making it better for light gaming, video playback, and multi-monitor use. Intel's 8th generation chips, particularly the i7-8550U in the ThinkPad, generally hold an edge in single-threaded tasks and burst performance, which affects how snappy everyday tasks like opening apps and switching windows feel.
Is 16GB RAM better than 8GB for everyday performance?
Yes, meaningfully. Both the Dell Latitude 7390 and Lenovo ThinkPad T490s in this comparison come with 16GB RAM, while the HP EliteBook 745 G6 has 8GB. For typical multitasking — several browser tabs, a video call, and office software running together — 16GB provides noticeably more headroom before the system needs to swap memory to disk, which is often the real-world bottleneck people notice as slowdown rather than raw CPU speed.
Does NVMe storage make a noticeable difference over SATA SSD?
Yes, particularly for boot times, application launches, and large file transfers. NVMe drives connect via a faster interface than SATA SSDs and can offer several times the read/write speeds in practice, even though both feel dramatically faster than a mechanical hard drive. Of the three laptops compared here, only the Lenovo ThinkPad T490s listing specifically confirms an NVMe SSD; the Dell and HP listings specify SSD without confirming the interface type.
Which of these three laptops has the best integrated graphics?
The HP EliteBook 745 G6, using AMD's Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, has a clear edge over the Intel UHD 620 graphics in both the Dell Latitude 7390 and Lenovo ThinkPad T490s. This matters for light gaming, video playback smoothness, and driving multiple external displays, though for typical office work — documents, browsers, video calls — all three handle the task adequately regardless of graphics performance.
All Three Available — From KSh 32,500 at Tom Mboya Street
All certified, tested, genuine Windows 11, 6-month warranty. Come compare all three in person before deciding. Shop U11, F&F Building, Tom Mboya Street, 1st Floor, Nairobi CBD. 0714 722 264
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