Hardware

Review: The Dell OptiPlex 7470 Delivers Speed, Power and Security

This new all-in-one perfectly balances effective design with usability.

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John Breeden II is an award-winning reviewer and public speaker with 20 years of experience covering technology.

The concept of an all-in-one desktop that integrates everything a user could ever need into a single, efficient design isn’t new. But only recently have various components such as fast processors, thin monitors and solid-state drives come together to make all-in-ones more effective in smaller footprints.

Dell’s new OptiPlex 7470 all-in-one incorporates the latest technology as well as some innovative design features to make it an attractive choice for almost any business environment, from cubicles to corner offices. The 7470 I tested had a 23.8-inch LED monitor with a powerful speaker bar underneath, yet it sat mounted to a thin black stand with a tiny, 10-square-inch footprint at its base.

Right from the initial setup, the 7470’s features and ease of use were impressive. It was out of the box and running in just a few minutes, and with integrated wireless, a power cord is all that’s needed to drive the system and connect it to a network. And although it may be necessary to get inside it, the 7470 offers tool-free access for tasks like adding memory.

The OptiPlex 7470 All-in-one Packs a Lot of Performance

Despite a modest footprint, the 7470’s performance is impressive. With an Intel Core i7 processor and 16 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM, it scored 5,087 on the PassMark Performance Benchmarks, putting it in the 90th percentile of all current-generation business desktops. In terms of real-world performance, it was able to crack open everything from complex Excel spreadsheets to data-rich multimedia presentations without any noticeable delays.

Everything about the 7470 is designed for simplicity and flexibility. For example, it has a USB Type-C connection mounted on the side of the monitor for easy access when fast file transfers are needed. A separate USB Type-A port with PowerShare can charge devices like smartphones even if the computer is powered down. The chassis even supports both HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort for driving extra monitors, projectors and other display devices.

The OptiPlex 7470 all-in-one has all of the power and features needed to drive most business applications in a compact package. Businesses looking to efficiently modernize their computing infrastructure should consider adding the 7470.

The OptiPlex 7470 Keeps Data Safe

The OptiPlex 7470 has several standard features, and a couple of optional ones, that are ready to protect a business’s information from unauthorized access and snooping.

Starting with the integrated features, the case on the 7470 has chassis intrusion switches tied into the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 security chip. Should anyone try to open the unit to tamper with it, the system will alert its owner, and depending on how it’s configured, may not even allow the unit to boot until cleared by IT teams.

The HD camera works great for things like teleconferences but could have become a liability had it not been for the innovative design of the 7470 chassis. When needed, the camera pops out of the top of the monitor with a slight push to activate the spring. When not in use, you can push it back inside. Anyone looking through the camera when it’s locked down, whether a hacker or simply someone you are taking a break from talking with, will only see a black screen. It’s easy to tell right away if the camera is ready for action or locked inside the monitor.

OptiPlex 7470 Infrared Camera Works in Low Light

The camera is also both HD and infrared. Each can work in conjunction with Windows Hello to add facial recognition as part of the natural login process. When used in conjunction with a PIN or password, this provides easy two-factor authentication with very little setup. And the infrared camera means that it will work even in low light conditions or total darkness.

Our test unit came equipped with an optional Dell MS819 mouse with an integrated fingerprint reader. The mouse has an ultramodern design with a steep curve in the middle of the unit that was surprisingly comfortable.

Near the top of the curve, an unobtrusive sensor functions as a fingerprint reader for quick logins. Highly secure offices could combine the fingerprint reader with Windows Hello and a password for three-factor authentication. Despite all those layers of protection, adding everything wouldn’t really slow down authorized users much when logging in.

Another optional security feature is a privacy monitor filter made by 3M for Dell computers. It easily attaches to the front of the display. It’s polarized so that someone looking directly at the monitor can work normally, but anyone seated just a little off center won’t be able to see anything (or record any images) on the screen. It might make a nice addition for desktops in public or semipublic areas to prevent snooping by unauthorized viewers. And the newest privacy screens are thin enough that they won’t even restrict use if mounted to a touchscreen display.

Security is clearly important to most businesses. The nice thing about the protections offered by Dell for the OptiPlex 7470 is that they are very easy to implement, effective and not overly intrusive to authorized users.

Dell OptiPlex 7470

PROCESSOR: Intel Core i7-9700
HARD DRIVE: 256G solid-state drive
RAM: 16GB DDR4
OPERATING SYSTEM: 64-bit Windows 10 Professional
DIMENSIONS: 21x13.5x2.1 inches
WEIGHT: 13.32 pounds
DISPLAY: 23.8-inch InfintyEdge TFT LED