The redesigned Dell XPS 14 has generated a wave of reactions, from intrigue to outright frustration. While some initial criticisms might be exaggerated, it’s crucial to acknowledge the valid reasons to reconsider purchasing this laptop. This review delves into both the strengths and weaknesses of the XPS 14, exploring whether its compelling design can outweigh its potential drawbacks.
The Dell XPS 14 on a white table with the screen open.
A Design Departure
The Dell XPS 14 is arguably one of the most visually appealing laptops on the market. Its sleek, minimalist aesthetic surpasses even the MacBook Pro in its clean simplicity. This bold design isn’t accidental; it represents a unique achievement within the Windows ecosystem. The stark, off-white color option further enhances its modern, futuristic appeal. Importantly, the XPS 14 forges its own path, resisting the temptation to mimic the MacBook Pro’s rounded curves with its sharp edges and lines.
Size-wise, the XPS 14’s slightly larger 14.5-inch display results in a marginally wider footprint than the MacBook Pro. Its thickness is also slightly greater, though the differences are minimal. Effectively replacing the discontinued XPS 15, the XPS 14 feels like a perfect intermediary between 13-inch and 15-inch models. It maintains the same thickness as the XPS 15 while being about an inch smaller in length and width, improving portability at the cost of some potential performance, given the XPS 15’s ability to accommodate up to an RTX 4070.
Two key design elements distinguish the XPS 14. The first is the seamless haptic feedback trackpad, which seamlessly integrates into the palm rests. This creates a sense of expansive workspace, enhancing the user experience. The Sensel haptic trackpad provides smooth, precise tracking and clicking, rivaling those found in the MacBook Pro and Surface Laptop Studio. Despite the lack of visible boundaries, the trackpad’s width and excellent palm rejection mitigate potential usability issues.
The keyboard of the Dell XPS 14 shown from the side.
The second distinctive feature is the capacitive touch buttons replacing the function keys, a design choice inherited from the XPS 13 Plus. While responsive and aesthetically pleasing, the absence of haptic feedback might be a drawback for some users, particularly those heavily reliant on function keys. However, the excellent typing experience provided by the large, zero-lattice keycaps and soft-touch keyboard somewhat compensates for this omission. The XPS 14’s robust build quality minimizes screen wobble and flex. One minor usability issue is the difficulty of opening the lid with one hand due to the lack of a lip.
Performance and Expandability Trade-offs
A significant downside of the XPS 14 is the soldered RAM, limiting user upgrade and repair options. While this trend is prevalent among competitors, it’s a disappointing departure from the highly upgradeable XPS 15. Fortunately, Dell offers fast 7467 MHz RAM with configurations ranging from 16GB to 64GB, and storage from 512GB to 4TB. Users can customize their system, but are committed to their initial choices.
The ports on the side of the Dell XPS 14.
Port selection is another area of concern. The XPS 14 features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. The inclusion of only a microSD slot, rather than a full-size SD card slot, is a drawback for photographers and videographers. While the trend towards USB-C is understandable, the limited port selection feels restrictive, especially given Apple’s recent reversal on this trend with the MacBook Pro. It’s worth noting that the SSD is not soldered and can be upgraded.
Display: A Visual Treat
The reviewed unit boasts a 3.2K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a welcome addition to the XPS line. This high refresh rate enhances the premium feel, contributing to the overall responsiveness. The OLED panel delivers vibrant colors, excellent color coverage (100% sRGB, 85% AdobeRGB, 97% P3), and impressive out-of-the-box color accuracy (Delta-E of 0.5). The DisplayHDR 500 certification ensures decent HDR performance for both gaming and media consumption. While the glossy screen might raise concerns about reflections, the XPS 14 manages them effectively. One trade-off of OLED technology is lower brightness compared to the MacBook Pro, reaching a maximum of 374 nits in SDR. However, the deep blacks of OLED compensate for this in most environments. The base configuration offers a more modest 1200p IPS display, but retains the 120Hz refresh rate.
The Dell XPS 14 open on a wooden table.
Performance: A Balanced Approach
The XPS 14’s optional RTX 4050 GPU is a significant addition, placing it in competition with laptops like the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, Acer Swift X 14, and Surface Laptop Studio 2. However, the RTX 4050’s performance falls short of the M3 Max in the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The reviewed unit, equipped with the RTX 4050 and Core Ultra 7 165H (a commercial variant nearly identical to the retail Core Ultra 7 155H), delivers satisfactory performance. Its multi-core CPU performance surpasses mainstream work machines, even slightly exceeding the previous XPS 15. While single-core performance lags behind the M3 chips, the RTX 4050 holds its own against MacBook graphics.
The side of the XPS 14, being held up by a hand.
The XPS 14 prioritizes a cooler, quieter experience, effectively managing surface temperatures and fan noise. Intel’s latest Arc graphics in the Core Ultra 7 155H narrow the performance gap between integrated and entry-level discrete GPUs. The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, while thicker, demonstrates the performance limitations imposed by the XPS 14’s thermals. For gaming, the RTX 4050 enables playable frame rates in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS. However, its gaming capabilities are more constrained compared to the previous XPS 15. In video editing, the XPS 14 serves as a capable hobbyist machine, benefiting significantly from the RTX 4050.
Cyberpunk 2077 being played on an XPS 14.
Battery, Webcam, and Speakers: Meeting Expectations
Battery life on the XPS 14 is average, offering around 8.5 hours in light web browsing tests with its 70 watt-hour battery. Real-world workday usage will likely yield 4-5 hours. It outperforms competitors with discrete graphics, but falls short of battery life champions without dedicated GPUs. The MacBook Pro significantly outlasts the XPS 14 in the same tests.
The side profile of the Dell XPS 14, showing the ports.
The quad-speaker setup provides decent audio quality, though the sound is somewhat compressed and lacks bass, especially compared to the MacBook Pro. The 1080p webcam is excellent, rivaling the MacBook Pro’s quality. The inclusion of Windows Hello IR and a fingerprint reader enhances security and login convenience.
Conclusion: A Compelling, Yet Compromised Package
The Dell XPS 14 delivers on its promise of a beautifully designed, portable laptop with decent performance. However, its high price, soldered RAM, limited port selection, and average battery life might be dealbreakers for some. While it aspires to be a MacBook Pro alternative, it doesn’t offer a compelling enough value proposition to fully justify the cost. Potential buyers should carefully weigh the trade-offs between design, performance, and practicality.
The side of the open Dell XPS 14 on a white table.
