The Heart of the Machine: A Generational Leap in Processing Power
The most significant and transformative upgrade in the Dell Latitude 7320 lies at its core: the move to 11th Generation Intel Core vPro processors with Intel Evo certification. This is not merely an incremental speed bump. Compared to the Latitude 7310’s 10th Gen Comet Lake or the 7300’s 8th Gen Whiskey Lake chips, the 11th Gen Tiger Lake architecture represents a fundamental redesign. It leverages Intel’s new 10nm SuperFin process, delivering substantially better performance per watt.
In practical terms, users experience markedly faster application load times, smoother multitasking, and more responsive system behavior. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics are a monumental improvement over the previous UHD Graphics, offering nearly 2x the graphical performance. For the Latitude line, this means credible light photo editing, smoother 4K video playback, and even casual gaming are now within reach, tasks that would have strained its predecessors. The Intel Evo platform certification further validates this, guaranteeing instant wake from sleep, consistent responsiveness on battery, and fast charging—key metrics where earlier models, while competent, now show their age.
A Screen Worth Staring At: The 16:10 Renaissance
Dell has fundamentally rethought the display on the Latitude 7320, moving decisively away from the 16:9 aspect ratio that defined the 7310 and 7300. The new 16:10 panel is a revelation, offering extra vertical pixels that translate to more visible lines of code, spreadsheet rows, or webpage content. This reduces constant scrolling and enhances productivity—a tangible, daily improvement.
Beyond proportions, the quality sees a major uplift. Options now include a stunning 500-nit Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) low-power panel that is significantly brighter and more vibrant than the 400-nit 7310 screens. The anti-reflective coating is more effective, and the option for a touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 DX+ offers superior durability and clarity compared to previous touch offerings. For professionals, the inclusion of a built-in 720p camera with a temporal noise reduction algorithm is a direct response to the video conferencing boom, providing a clearer image than the often-grainy cameras in older models.
Design Refinement: Thinner, Lighter, Smarter
While retaining the signature Latitude durability with its aluminum and carbon fiber construction, the 7320 undergoes a subtle yet impactful design evolution. It is marginally thinner and lighter than the 7310, continuing a trend of compaction. The keyboard, a Latitude hallmark, sees refinement with a slightly deeper key travel and a more positive actuation feel, maintaining its best-in-class reputation while improving upon it. The precision touchpad is larger, providing a more expansive surface for gestures.
A notable physical change is the relocation of the power button, which now sits on the keyboard deck to the right of the delete key, integrating a fingerprint reader. This is a more intuitive placement compared to the side-mounted button on the 7310. The chassis also features a new “Lunar Light” color option, a stylish and professional silvery-white, moving beyond the traditional gray and black palettes of past models.
Connectivity and Security: Future-Proofing the Enterprise
The port selection on the Latitude 7320 reflects a forward-looking approach. It features two cutting-edge Thunderbolt 4 ports (versus the Thunderbolt 3 on the 7310). While both use a USB-C connector, Thunderbolt 4 guarantees mandatory support for dual 4K display output, PCIe Gen 3 x4 for storage, and universal cable compatibility—offering more consistent, high-performance capabilities crucial for docking stations and fast peripherals. It retains the venerable USB-A 3.2 port and an HDMI 2.0 port, but controversially drops the microSD card reader found on the 7310, a trade-off for the slimmer profile.
Security receives its customary, thorough upgrade. Building on the excellent foundation of the 7310, the 7320 adds Dell’s new AI-based ExpressSign-in 2.0. This uses an intelligent proximity sensor not only to wake the PC as a user approaches (like the 7310’s Simple Sign-in) but also to lock it when they walk away—a more holistic, hands-free security model. The optional FHD IR camera now works in conjunction with an optional proximity sensor for even more seamless Windows Hello facial authentication. The discrete TPM 2.0 chip and optional smart card reader remain, ensuring the platform meets the most stringent corporate security policies.
Audio, Battery, and Thermal Performance
Audio quality receives a focused upgrade. The 7320 incorporates larger speaker chambers and advanced audio tuning with Waves MaxxAudio Pro, delivering louder, clearer, and more immersive sound than its predecessors, which were adequate but unremarkable. This is a critical improvement for all-day video calls.
Battery life, while historically strong in the Latitude series, benefits from the efficiency of the 11th Gen Intel platform and the low-power display options. The 60Whr battery remains standard, but thanks to the architectural improvements, the 7320 consistently achieves longer real-world usage times than the 7310 under similar workloads. Thermal management is also more adept, with a redesigned fan and heat pipe system that allows the 7320 to sustain higher performance for longer periods before thermal throttling, a limitation occasionally noted in the compact chassis of the 7310.
Under the Hood: Maintainability and Docking
Dell continues its commitment to serviceability. The Latitude 7320 retains the easy-access back panel, allowing IT departments to swiftly replace the SSD, WWAN card, or battery—a legacy advantage over many ultraportable competitors. It maintains full compatibility with Dell’s premier docking solutions, like the WD19 and WD22TB4 Thunderbolt docks, ensuring a seamless upgrade path for enterprises with established docking station fleets.
Verdict of Iterative Progress
The Dell Latitude 7320 is not a radical reinvention of the series; it is a masterclass in strategic, meaningful iteration. Every area of potential weakness or dated technology in the Latitude 7310 and 7300 has been scrutinized and enhanced. The jump to 11th Gen Intel with Iris Xe graphics transforms its capability profile. The move to a 16:10 display modernizes the user experience. The design tweaks, improved audio, and smarter security features like ExpressSign-in 2.0 refine the daily interaction. For enterprise users and mobile professionals, the Latitude 7320 represents the cumulative evolution of Dell’s flagship ultralight, offering a more powerful, productive, and polished tool than any of its immediate predecessors.