How to open Dell Latitude 14 5440 – disassembly and upgrade options

Ensure the Dell Latitude 14 5440 is powered off and placed on a soft, clean surface to avoid damage.
Undo the 8 captive Phillips-head screws securing the bottom panel. These screws remain attached to the panel, preventing loss.
Lift the bottom panel near one of the hinges to create a gap, then use a thin plastic tool to pry the panel off, starting from the sides and front, finishing with the back.

Hint: Prying the back last helps to avoid damage to the clips and ports located there.

Step 2: Removing the Battery

Disconnect the battery by unplugging its connector from the motherboard.
Remove the 5 Phillips-head screws holding the battery in place, then lift the 54Wh battery away from the laptop.

Caution: Handle the battery and its connector with care to avoid any damage.

More info: The optional 54Wh battery provides up to 14 hours and 17 minutes of web browsing, or 8 hours and 20 minutes of video playback, surpassing the base 42Wh model.

Memory Upgrades

Identify the two SODIMM slots available for memory upgrades.
Depending on your model, the laptop supports up to 64GB of DDR4-3200MHz, or up to 96GB DDR5-4800MHz, or DDR5-5200MHz memory in dual-channel mode. Our model is equipped with DDR4 slots.

Hint: Confirm the RAM type before purchasing upgrades to ensure compatibility.

You can buy DDR4 RAM modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

You can buy DDR5 RAM modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage Upgrades

Locate the single M.2 slot on the right side of the battery, which is compatible with 2230 Gen 4 SSDs.
When upgrading or replacing the NVMe SSD, ensure the metal shroud and its thermal pad are properly reattached for optimal cooling.

You can buy 2230 Gen 4 M.2 SSD modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Step 3: Examining the Cooling System

Review the thermal system, which includes a decently sized fan, a heat sink, one heat pipe, and a heat spreader, designed to manage the laptop’s thermal output efficiently.

More info: This cooling setup ensures the Dell Latitude 14 5440 maintains optimal performance and thermal efficiency during use.