Dell’s latest entry into the premium laptop market, the XPS 14, starts at $1,499. However, for many users looking to leverage the full potential of this sleek and powerful device, investing in upgrades is almost essential. This move quickly escalates the price, elevating the laptop into a higher cost bracket.
The XPS 14 boasts a design that is both minimalist and elegant, making a bold statement with its nearly invisible trackpad, an integrated keyboard with an LED light strip, and an impressive display. Nonetheless, the standout features that contribute to its allure don’t accompany the base model, hinting that to truly experience what Dell promises, one has to shell out more.
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Despite its compactness, the XPS 14 is on the heavier side compared to its 14-inch competitors, weighing in at 3.8 pounds when equipped with an OLED screen. This weight makes it heavier than the MacBook Pro 14, Zephyrus G14, and Spectre x360 14.
Embedded within is the Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” processor, ready for artificial intelligence tasks with its dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), which tackles machine-learning tasks. This specialization aims to deliver enhanced performance while reducing power consumption.
The display is undoubtedly one of the XPS 14’s strongest selling points. Yet, the base model comes equipped with a 1900 x 1200 display, which may leave some wanting. The unit reviewed, which featured an upgraded 3200 x 2000 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, showcased stunning visuals, raising questions about why such high-quality displays aren’t standard at this price point.
For graphical performance, the base model’s integrated Intel Arc card may leave users wanting more. Those aiming for more intensive performance tasks or gaming might need to consider upgrading to a GeForce RTX 4050, 6GB card, at an additional cost. Despite the upgrade, this laptop might not cater to high-end gaming needs efficiently but can handle video editing, animation, or graphic design tasks.
Connectivity options on the Dell XPS 14 include three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a microSD slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The absence of an HDMI port and full-sized SD card reader is noteworthy, potentially limiting its appeal to visual creatives, though Dell includes a USB-C dongle to somewhat offset these omissions.
The laptop’s “invisible” trackpad and integral keyboard design contribute to its unique and minimalist aesthetic. The keyboard’s quiet and shallow keys provide a pleasing typing experience, albeit with a design that may require some adaptation due to its layout and the function keys’ minimal design, which does not offer haptic feedback.
In comparing specifications with other laptops, such as the MacBook Pro (M3), Lenovo Slim 7, and Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, the Dell XPS 14 holds its ground, particularly in its starting price, CPU/GPU options, and the potential for RAM and storage configurations. However, choices like the MacBook Pro 14 or Zephyrus G14 might serve as more practical alternatives for some users, despite the Dell XPS 14’s distinctive design and powerful hardware capabilities.
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