The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (7441) marks Dell’s entry into the world of Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X hardware. While it delivers a perfectly serviceable experience for everyday tasks, it struggles to distinguish itself in a competitive market. This review explores the Inspiron 14 Plus’s strengths and weaknesses, comparing it to key competitors like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus open IDG / Chris Hoffman
Performance and Compatibility: A Solid Performer for Everyday Tasks
The Inspiron 14 Plus, like other Snapdragon X laptops, excels at handling daily productivity tasks. Web browsing, Office applications, Slack, and video conferencing all run smoothly and efficiently on battery power. The fans remain quiet during typical use, only ramping up under heavier workloads.
Benchmark results place the Inspiron 14 Plus in the mid-range of Snapdragon X devices. Interestingly, its Geekbench 6 score surpasses that of the Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Elite, suggesting the X Plus hardware is more than capable for most users. While not a gaming laptop, its graphical performance is respectable, particularly when running native Arm code.
Design and Build: Serviceable, But Not Standout
The Inspiron 14 Plus inherits its design from Dell’s existing Inspiron line. While the aluminum chassis feels reasonably sturdy, plastic elements around the display detract from a premium feel. The tilting keyboard deck is a welcome feature, enhancing ergonomics. However, the overall build quality pales in comparison to the all-metal construction of the Surface Laptop. Its weight, at 3.17 pounds, is also heavier than competitors like the Surface Laptop and Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus hinge IDG / Chris Hoffman
Input Devices and Multimedia: A Pleasant User Experience
The Inspiron 14 Plus boasts a comfortable keyboard with white backlighting, offering a satisfying typing experience. While not the most premium keyboard available, it is certainly above average. The trackpad is also functional, though it lacks the haptic feedback found in the Surface Laptop.
The IPS display provides good visuals with a 2560×1600 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. While it lacks the vibrancy of OLED displays found in some competitors, it’s perfectly adequate for everyday use. The speakers, however, are a pleasant surprise, delivering loud and clear audio with surprisingly good bass.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus keyboard IDG / Chris Hoffman
Features and Connectivity: A Comprehensive Package
The Inspiron 14 Plus offers a 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter, along with Windows Studio Effects for enhanced video conferencing. Dual microphones provide clear audio capture, and the presence sensor automatically puts the laptop to sleep when you step away. Biometric login options include both an IR camera and a fingerprint reader, offering more flexibility than the Surface Laptop.
Connectivity options include two USB Type-C ports (USB4 Full Function), a USB Type-A port, a combo audio jack, and a microSD card reader. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus right side IDG / Chris Hoffman
Battery Life: Long-Lasting, but Not Class-Leading
The 54 Watt-hour battery, combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon X Plus and IPS display, delivers good battery life. In our video rundown test, it lasted nearly 17 hours. While impressive, it falls short of the 20+ hours achieved by the Surface Laptop.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus left side IDG / Chris Hoffman
Conclusion: A Good Value When Discounted
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a competent Snapdragon X laptop, offering a solid all-around experience for everyday tasks. However, it struggles to stand out against competitors like the Surface Laptop, particularly at its regular retail price. The Surface Laptop’s superior build quality, brighter display, and haptic trackpad make it a more compelling option.
However, when discounted, the Inspiron 14 Plus becomes a much more attractive proposition. With competitive pricing and double the storage compared to the base model Surface Laptop, it offers good value for those looking for an Arm-based Windows laptop. Ultimately, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a solid choice if you can find it at the right price.
