Dell made a significant shift earlier this year, streamlining its branding by retiring the familiar Inspiron, XPS, and Precision lines in favor of a new hierarchy. Positioned at the entry-level of this new structure is the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1. This device, which would have previously been an Inspiron 14 2-in-1, continues its predecessor’s mission of offering an accessible and affordable entry into the world of convertible computing. This Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 review will delve into its capabilities, performance, and overall value to determine if it’s the right budget-friendly hybrid for your needs. While it may not turn heads with flashy features, it aims to provide a dependable experience for everyday tasks and media consumption, particularly when found at its competitive sale price.
Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: Key Specifications
The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 model evaluated by PC World is an entry-level configuration featuring an AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor. While Dell offers a range of Ryzen AI and Intel processor options, this specific chip sits at the lower end of the performance spectrum for the new generation.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 (6 cores, up to 4.8GHz)
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5x
- Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon 840M
- NPU: AMD 50 TOPs
- Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 60Hz WVA 300-nits touchscreen
- Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive
- Webcam: 1080p 30fps camera
- Connectivity: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
- Battery capacity: 64 watt-hours
- Dimensions: 12.36 inch x 8.9 in x 0.65 in
- Weight: 3.51 pounds
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Price: $849.99 MSRP / $599.99 at time of testing (Best Buy)
This pricing reflects its entry-level status. The MSRP of $849.99 on Dell.com might seem a bit high, but it’s frequently available at Best Buy for $599.99. This sale price positions it as one of the most affordable Windows laptops equipped with the latest generation AMD or Intel processors. Given its recent listing at this price, such “sales” are expected to be common.
Despite the aggressive sale price, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 doesn’t skimp excessively on core components, still offering a generous 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Opting for configurations directly from Dell’s website might incur higher costs, but those models can offer upgrades like a 1TB SSD or, on Intel variants, a 2560×1600 resolution display, a step up from the tested model’s 1920×1200 screen.
Design and Build Quality: Functional and Robust
Budget Windows 2-in-1s are not typically lauded for groundbreaking or dramatic aesthetics, and the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 adheres to this norm. It presents as a straightforward, slim 14-inch convertible, measuring no more than 0.65 inches at its thickest point. It’s available in understated silver or navy-blue finishes, neither of which is particularly striking.
Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 laptop in silver, showcasing its slim profile and overall design.
However, where it lacks in visual flair, it compensates with commendable build quality. Lifting the lid reveals some minor display flex, but not enough to cause alarm. The lower chassis tells a similar story; it might emit a slight creak if handled aggressively but shows no visible flex unless subjected to undue force.
The choice of materials is also agreeable. The plastics on the lower chassis possess a pleasant texture and don’t attempt to mimic a metallic finish unconvincingly. The display’s back panel, conversely, appears to be aluminum, lending a more premium touch to that area.
True to its “2-in-1” designation, the Dell 14 Plus features a touchscreen and a hinge that allows the display to rotate a full 360 degrees, transforming it into a tablet-like device. At 3.51 pounds, it’s a bit too large and heavy for comfortable prolonged use as a handheld tablet, but the functionality is valuable for note-taking or drawing. Dell does not include an Active Pen with this model, but one is available for about $40. Users can also rotate the display partially to use the keyboard base as a stand, a convenient mode for watching videos on platforms like Netflix or YouTube.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Geared for Comfort
The keyboard on the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 stands out as one of its strongest attributes. The keys offer satisfying travel and a distinct tactile response, culminating in a subtle, clicky bottoming action. I found it comfortable for extended typing sessions, a feeling enhanced by the ample palm rest area. Standard keyboard backlighting is included and performs as expected.
Close-up of the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 keyboard layout and keys, highlighting its design for comfortable typing.
The touchpad is less remarkable but perfectly competent. Measuring approximately 4.5 inches wide by 3 inches deep, it proved responsive during testing and handled multi-touch gestures adeptly. However, some competitors, notably Asus, offer budget models with larger touchpads.
Naturally, as a 2-in-1 device, the touchscreen provides an alternative input method to the touchpad. Personally, I appreciate having the touch option, especially if it doesn’t significantly inflate the price, and the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 certainly meets the affordability criterion.
Display and Audio: A Mixed Bag
Most configurations of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 are equipped with a WVA-LCD touchscreen display featuring a 1920×1200 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. An upgraded 2560×1600 panel is available for select models on Dell.com, though this higher-resolution option was not provided for this review.
Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 with its screen displaying a vibrant image, illustrating its display capabilities.
Display quality is adequate but not exceptional. On the positive side, the 14-inch screen’s 1920×1200 resolution delivers sharp visuals. However, it’s rated for only 300 nits of brightness and features a glossy coating prone to significant glare. This combination can be problematic if you plan to use the laptop in brightly lit rooms or outdoors.
Color performance is also mediocre. While the display appears reasonably saturated and vibrant in isolation, a side-by-side comparison with an OLED display (found on some price-competitive laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x and Asus Zenbook 14) reveals a stark difference, heavily favoring OLED. The same holds true for contrast; OLED panels boast an effectively infinite contrast ratio, resulting in deeper, more immersive images. In short, the display is not a highlight of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 and is a key area where compromises are evident. If a superb display is a priority for your budget laptop, this isn’t the one. [internal_links]
Audio quality is a slightly better, albeit still mixed, experience. The speakers produce good volume and clarity, particularly for dialogue, which is commendable for a budget laptop. However, introduce bass-heavy content, and distortion can creep in. The laptop chassis itself can even vibrate, creating an unwelcome rattle. The speakers are suitable for podcasts and video calls but fall short for an enjoyable music or gaming experience.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics: Covering the Essentials
The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 includes a 1080p webcam and a dual-array microphone, both standard specifications for contemporary Windows laptops. The webcam delivers sharp video, and the microphone captures good audio quality with effective noise rejection, especially when AI noise-cancellation features are activated. A welcome inclusion is the physical privacy shutter for the camera.
A slightly more premium feature for this price point is the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, located in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. It functions reliably in most scenarios, though grime or moisture on your finger can occasionally impede recognition. So, it’s best to ensure clean fingers when logging in.
Connectivity: Modern and Sufficient
Dell has a reputation for embracing modern connectivity standards, and the 14 Plus 2-in-1 upholds this. It offers two USB-C ports, both supporting Power Delivery and DisplayPort video output, and either can be used to charge the laptop with the included USB-C power adapter. These are complemented by one USB-A port, an HDMI 1.4 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Side view of the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 showing its available ports, including USB-C and USB-A.
While one might wish for a second USB-A port (requiring an adapter for a wired keyboard and mouse simultaneously), this port selection is typical for modern Windows laptops in this category.
Wireless connectivity is up-to-date, with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. While common in new Windows laptops, it’s worth noting that at this price, you might also be considering older 2023 or 2024 models that likely wouldn’t feature these latest wireless standards. This is an important consideration if cutting-edge wireless performance is a priority.
Performance Deep Dive: What the Ryzen AI 5 340 Delivers
The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 unit tested by PC World came with an AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor. This APU integrates a 6-core CPU with AMD Radeon 840M graphics. Unsurprisingly, this entry-level CPU and integrated GPU combination results in modest overall performance.
In PCMark 10, a comprehensive system benchmark, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 scored 5,579. While not a poor score for a budget laptop, it falls considerably short of systems equipped with higher-tier Ryzen AI 7/9 or Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors. The AMD Radeon 840M, being less capable than many current IGPs, also contributes to this.
Bar chart displaying PCMark 10 benchmark scores for the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 compared to other laptops.
Handbrake, a benchmark that heavily taxes multi-threaded performance over extended periods, painted a slightly more favorable picture. The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 transcoded a two-hour movie in 1,498 seconds using only CPU cores (i.e., without hardware encoding acceleration). This is a respectable result for its price, placing the Ryzen AI 5 340 in a similar performance bracket to the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V.
Bar chart showing Handbrake video transcoding times for the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 against competitor models.
In Cinebench R23, the Ryzen AI 5 340 achieved a multi-core score of 7,993. While far from top-tier, this is again a decent showing. The primary limiting factor here appears to be the core count; six cores is not a large number by 2025 standards, and Cinebench R23 effectively utilizes all available cores. The Ryzen AI 5 340’s single-core score in Cinebench R23 was 1,828, largely on par with other processors in its class (which typically score between 1,700 and 1,900), indicating that the individual cores are reasonably fast.
Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark scores comparing the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 with other laptops.
As previously noted, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 processor includes AMD Radeon 840M graphics, which is significantly less powerful than the more widely recognized Radeon 880M and 890M. Specifically, the Radeon 840M has only four graphics cores, a substantial reduction from the 880M (12 cores) and 890M (16 cores).
3DMark Time Spy results underscored this, with a score of just 1,427. This is markedly lower than what an AMD Radeon 880M or 890M, or even Intel’s Arc 140V or 130V graphics, can achieve (typically scoring between 3,000 to 4,000). To be fair, laptops with those more powerful graphics solutions often command a higher price, though Intel Core Ultra 7 256V systems are sometimes available for only a couple of hundred dollars more.
3DMark Time Spy graphics benchmark scores for the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1, illustrating its GPU performance.
This doesn’t render the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 entirely incapable in terms of graphics and light gaming. The 2-in-1 could comfortably run Grim Dawn, an action-RPG from 2016, at 1080p resolution and medium detail settings. However, if you’re hoping to play demanding modern titles like Diablo 4, you’ll be disappointed. While the game technically launches and runs, no amount of settings adjustment in my experience led to an enjoyable gameplay experience.
Overall, the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1’s performance is generally in line with expectations for its price. A significant advantage, however, is Dell’s inclusion of 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It’s not uncommon for competing 2-in-1s in this price range to offer only 8GB of RAM or 256GB of storage, both of which represent a considerable downgrade for usability. While these upgrades may not directly boost benchmark scores, they make the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 more capable for day-to-day multitasking and ensure better long-term viability.
Battery Life: Enduring Through the Day
A 64-watt-hour battery powers the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1, an average capacity for a laptop in this segment. While the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 is frugal under light loads, it faces stiff competition from the latest Intel and Qualcomm hardware in terms of power efficiency.
Bar chart illustrating battery life test results for the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 in hours, compared to other laptops.
In PC World’s standard battery test, which involves looping a 4K video file of the short film Tears of Steel, I measured just over 15 hours of runtime. While 15 hours is a substantial duration, many modern laptops can achieve 18 to 22 hours in this same test, as indicated by comparative data.
This test result aligned with my subjective experience. During my time with the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1, which included some travel, I found it could easily last a full day of mixed web browsing and writing, interspersed with occasional breaks, often leaving 40 percent or more battery charge by the end of the day.
The battery life of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is certainly adequate and more than sufficient for the needs of a typical user. Nevertheless, it appears that AMD’s Ryzen AI 340 platform lags slightly behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus and Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2 processors in terms of ultimate battery endurance.
Conclusion: A Sensible Choice for Budget-Conscious Versatility
The Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 emerges as a commendable option for shoppers seeking a versatile, do-it-all Windows device without breaking the bank. It successfully balances a flexible 2-in-1 design, a comfortable keyboard, and a well-rounded set of specifications, all while avoiding any major deal-breaking flaws. The value proposition of the Plus 14 2-in-1 becomes particularly compelling when it’s available at its frequent sale price of $599.99 at Best Buy, undercutting many comparable Windows 2-in-1s and traditional laptops.
While the performance from the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 isn’t class-leading and the display could certainly be brighter and more vibrant, these compromises are somewhat expected at this price point. The generous 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD are significant pluses, enhancing everyday usability and future-proofing the device more than some competitors. Its battery life is solid for a full day’s work or study, and its connectivity options are thoroughly modern.
If you prioritize an exceptional screen or top-tier raw power, you might need to expand your budget. However, for users looking for a reliable, adaptable, and affordable touchscreen machine for general productivity, web browsing, and media consumption, the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 offers good bang for your buck. I enjoyed my time with this 2-in-1, and it stands as a strong contender in the budget convertible market. Consider checking for current pricing and availability if its blend of features aligns with your requirements.
