The Unboxing Experience: First Contact with the Dell Latitude 7320
The packaging of the Dell Latitude 7320 is an exercise in corporate efficiency. The box is a compact, minimalist brown cardboard sleeve, devoid of flashy graphics, emphasizing sustainability and a no-nonsense business approach. Sliding off the outer sleeve reveals a sturdy, precisely fitting box lid. Lifting it reveals the laptop itself, immediately ensconced in a molded pulp paper cradle that is 100% recyclable and effectively secures the device during transit.
Beneath this top tray lies the documentation and accessories. The contents are sparse but purposeful:
- The Dell Latitude 7320 Laptop: The main event, protected by a cloth sleeve.
- A 65W AC Adapter: A remarkably compact and lightweight USB-C power brick.
- A USB-C to USB-A Adapter: A thoughtful inclusion for legacy peripherals.
- Documentation: A quick start guide and regulatory information.
The absence of extravagant packaging or superfluous stickers reinforces the Latitude’s identity as a tool for productivity, not a lifestyle accessory. The entire unboxing process feels deliberate, eco-conscious, and focused on delivering the essentials without waste.
Initial Physical Impressions: Design and Build Quality
Removing the 7320 from its protective sleeve confirms its premium construction. The chassis, crafted from a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum, feels exceptionally rigid and robust. Our review unit featured a “Black Carbon Fiber” finish that resists fingerprints better than many other business laptops. The weight—starting at just over 2.6 pounds—is immediately noticeable; this is a device designed for constant mobility.
The 13.3-inch display is framed by thin bezels, particularly on the sides, giving it a modern look despite its business-centric design. The lid can be opened easily with one hand, and the hinge offers a perfect balance of smoothness and firm resistance, eliminating any screen wobble. The base remains firmly planted on a desk, a testament to its thoughtful weight distribution.
Port selection, while modern, is comprehensive for an ultra-portable. On the left side, you find two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports (both supporting power delivery and DisplayPort), a Universal Audio Jack (a single port for headset mic and audio), and a smart-card reader on certain configurations. The right side houses a Kensington Lock slot, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) port, and an optional nano-SIM tray for models with 4G LTE or 5G capability. The inclusion of a physical USB-A port is a welcome nod to practicality in a world still transitioning to USB-C.
The Display: A Window to Your Work
The Dell Latitude 7320 is available with several display options, but the most common and highly recommended is the Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) non-touch panel. The 16:10 aspect ratio is a significant upgrade over the older 16:9 format, providing additional vertical real estate that is invaluable for scrolling through documents, coding, or viewing complex spreadsheets. Text appears razor-sharp, and colors are vibrant and accurate for a business laptop, though it’s not calibrated for professional-grade creative work.
Dell’s ComfortView Plus feature, a hardware-level low blue light solution, is enabled by default. This reduces harmful blue light emissions without the unsightly yellow tint associated with software-based solutions, making it ideal for long work sessions. The anti-glare coating is exceptionally effective, diffusing overhead lighting and reflections to maintain visibility even in brightly lit offices or by a window. Maximum brightness is more than adequate for indoor use, though direct sunlight may still pose a challenge.
The Typing and Pointing Experience
The backlit keyboard on the Latitude 7320 is a highlight. Key travel is deep and responsive for such a thin profile, providing a satisfying tactile bounce with each press. The layout is standard and intuitive, with dedicated Page Up/Page Down keys nestled in a familiar inverted-T arrangement. The keys are slightly concave, aiding in finger placement, and the backlighting offers two brightness levels that are even and leak-free.
Centered below the keyboard is the Precision Touchpad. It’s spacious, made of smooth glass, and supports all of Windows 11’s multi-touch gestures flawlessly. Cursor movement is precise, and clicks are quiet and firm. Above the keyboard, nestled between the F5 and F6 keys, is the optional fingerprint reader. Below the right-hand side of the keyboard, many configurations feature a contactless (NFC) reader for secure badge authentication.
For users who prefer it, the iconic Dell Precision pointing stick (the “nub”) and its accompanying three physical buttons are present on select configurations, providing a highly efficient cursor control method without taking your hands off the home row.
Powering On and Initial Windows 11 Setup
Pressing the power button, which doubles as a fingerprint scanner, instantly brings the device to life. The setup process begins with the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
- Language and Region Selection: Choose your preferred language, keyboard layout, and region.
- Network Connection: It is highly advisable to select “I don’t have internet” at this stage to bypass Microsoft account creation temporarily and avoid potential driver-related issues during initial setup. You can connect later.
- Offline Account Creation: Proceed to create a local user account by entering a username and password.
- Privacy Settings: Windows will present several privacy options. Review these carefully, disabling any data collection features you are not comfortable with, such as location tracking, diagnostic data, and tailored experiences.
- Wait for the Desktop: Windows 11 will finalize the setup, and you will be greeted by the clean desktop.
Once at the desktop, connect to your Wi-Fi network through the system tray. Windows Update will immediately begin searching for necessary drivers. Allow this process to complete, which may require one or two restarts.
Essential Post-Setup Configuration and Dell Software
After Windows Update is fully settled, it’s time to leverage Dell’s proprietary tools to ensure the system is optimized and secure.
- Dell Update: This is the most critical application. Navigate to the Start Menu and search for “Dell Update.” Run it and allow it to scan for any Dell-specific firmware, BIOS, and driver updates that Windows Update may have missed. Installing the latest BIOS is crucial for security and performance enhancements.
- MyDell: This application consolidates several key functions. Use it to:
- Check your warranty status and contact support.
- Adjust power and thermal settings. The “Optimized” setting is recommended for a balance of performance and battery life, while “Cool” minimizes fan noise, and “Ultra-Performance” unlocks maximum power.
- Manage audio profiles through the MaxxAudio Pro software.
- Dell Power Manager: This utility provides granular control over your battery’s charging behavior to prolong its long-term health. You can set it to “Primarily AC Use” (limits charging to 80-90%), “Standard” (fully charges the battery), or “Adaptive” (learns your routine to optimize charging).
- Windows Security (Defender): For most business users, the built-in Windows Security with Defender is more than sufficient. Ensure it’s enabled and run a quick scan to confirm the system is clean out of the box.
- Uninstalling Bloatware: Review the list of installed applications. While Dell typically keeps bloatware to a minimum, you may find trial offers for McAfee LiveSafe or other software. You can safely uninstall these through Settings > Apps > Installed apps to keep the system clean.
Critical Security and Management Features
The Latitude 7320 is a fortress of business security. Beyond the optional fingerprint reader and contactless smart card reader, it incorporates Dell’s flagship security suite, Dell SafeBIO. This includes:
- Dell SafeScreen: This is a privacy filter that can be toggled in the MyDell app, narrowing the viewing angle to prevent “shoulder surfing.”
- Dell SafeShutter: A physical, mechanical shutter that slides over the HD webcam, providing absolute peace of mind against unauthorized surveillance.
- TPM 2.0: A dedicated chip for hardware-based encryption of your data, essential for BitLocker drive encryption.
Enable BitLocker drive encryption by searching for “Manage BitLocker” in the Start Menu and turning it on. This will encrypt your entire solid-state drive, protecting your data even if the device is lost or stolen.
Performance and Connectivity Finalization
The Intel Evo platform certification, common for the 7320’s 11th Gen Intel Core processors, guarantees instant wake from sleep, long battery life, and fast charging. You’ll notice the system is incredibly responsive for everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and video conferencing.
To finalize your setup:
- Thunderbolt 4 Ports: These are the most versatile ports. Test them by connecting the included power adapter to either port. Consider a Thunderbolt dock if you need a single-cable solution for your desktop setup.
- Audio: Test the speakers and microphone. The audio is clear for conference calls but lacks significant bass, as expected. For the best microphone quality in meetings, use the dedicated noise-cancelling dual-array digital microphones, which do an excellent job of isolating your voice.
- Webcam: The 720p or optional 1080p webcam benefits from Dell’s ExpressSign-In feature, which uses an infrared camera and proximity sensor to detect your presence. It automatically wakes the laptop and, if configured, logs you in with Windows Hello facial recognition the moment you sit down. It also locks the device when you walk away. This feature can be configured in the Windows Hello settings under “Dynamic Lock.”
The Dell Latitude 7320, through its meticulous unboxing, robust physical design, and streamlined setup process, establishes itself as a paradigm of the modern business ultrabook. Its focus on security, manageability, and user-centric features like the 16:10 display and excellent keyboard ensures it is not just another laptop, but a reliable partner for the mobile professional.