The Dell Pro 14 Plus portable monitor offers a functional design and bright display, but its high price and limited features make it a challenging recommendation. Is the convenience and Dell brand name worth the premium? Let’s dive in.
Design and Build
The Dell Pro 14 Plus stands out with its integrated kickstand, providing excellent stability in both portrait and landscape orientations. The auto-rotate feature works seamlessly. However, the absence of a cover integrated with the kickstand necessitates carrying a separate case, although the included case is high-quality with a convenient Velcro pocket. While the monitor’s metallic finish looks appealing, the plastic construction feels less premium than its appearance suggests. A metal back panel would have enhanced the perceived quality.
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Connectivity and Features
The Dell Pro 14 Plus boasts dual USB-C ports with DisplayPort and 65W USB Power Delivery pass-through, allowing you to power your laptop while using the monitor. This is a significant advantage over many competitors. The placement of the ports on either side of the kickstand ensures easy access. Onboard controls are limited to power, auto-rotation lock, and brightness. Contrast adjustment requires Dell’s Display and Peripheral Manager (DPPM) software, a Windows-only utility lacking advanced features like color gamut or temperature customization. This omission is surprising given the “Pro” branding and price point.
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Display Performance
The Dell Pro 14 Plus shines in brightness, reaching an impressive 481 nits. This makes it ideal for use in brightly lit environments where other portable monitors often struggle. Contrast is decent for an IPS panel, but falls short of OLED alternatives. Color gamut coverage is limited, reaching only 99% sRGB, 74% DCI-P3, and 74% AdobeRGB, making it unsuitable for color-critical work. Color accuracy is respectable, with a color temperature of 6500K. Sharpness is good thanks to the 1920×1200 resolution, but higher-resolution portable monitors are readily available. The monitor does not support HDR.
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dell pro 14 plus portable contrast
dell pro 14 plus portable color gamut
dell pro 14 plus portable color accuracy
Motion Handling and Warranty
With a 60Hz refresh rate and a 7ms response time, the Dell Pro 14 Plus is not ideal for gaming. Motion blur is noticeable. On the plus side, the monitor comes with a three-year warranty and Dell’s Advanced Exchange Service, promising a replacement within one business day if needed.
Conclusion
The Dell Pro 14 Plus portable monitor offers a compelling blend of portability, brightness, and convenient features like USB-C power pass-through. However, its high price, limited color performance, and lack of advanced controls make it difficult to recommend over less expensive or more feature-rich alternatives, especially with the increasing availability of OLED portable monitors. Unless the robust warranty and Dell brand name are paramount, potential buyers should carefully weigh the monitor’s limitations against its price.
