Dell XPS 14 assessment: A course correction

[ad_1]

At a look Skilled's Score Execs

Engaging and opulent design

Massive haptic touchpad

Stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen

Distinctive sound system

Strong CPU and iGPU efficiency

Cons

A tad heavy for its dimension

Keyboard may very well be higher

Bodily connectivity is fashionable however would require dongles

Our Verdict The Dell XPS 14 brings the corporate’s flagship laptop computer again into competitors with speedy Intel Core Collection 3 chips and a redesign that’s extra sensible, but nonetheless premium.

Value When Reviewed

This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined

Greatest Pricing At the moment

Value When Reviewed $2,259.99

Greatest Costs At the moment: Dell XPS 14

Retailer Value

$1749.99 View Deal $2199.99 View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket

In 2022, Dell took an enormous swing with a brand new XPS 13 that reimagined how a contemporary laptop computer ought to look. Dell changed the bodily perform keys with touch-sensitive buttons and changed the touchpad’s borders with an edgeless design.

It didn’t go over nicely. The adjustments appeared smooth however made the laptop computer a bit harder to make use of. To make issues worse, rivals like Lenovo, Asus, and even Apple went a unique path, shifting in the direction of making their laptops appear and feel extra tactile.

Now, Dell is attempting to make up for misplaced time with a redesigned Dell XPS 14. It restores the bodily perform row and provides refined tactile bumps to outline the touchpad’s borders. It additionally upgrades to the newest Intel Core Collection 3 chips. The result's a strong premium laptop computer with enviable efficiency, although it’s nonetheless not on the high of its recreation.

Dell XPS 14: Specs and options as-tested

This assessment covers the Dell XPS 14 with the OLED show and Intel Core Extremely X7 358H processor. Whereas all new Dell XPS 14 fashions are fairly comparable in 2026, there are a number of slight variations past the {hardware} specs of every configuration. The OLED mannequin is a hair thinner than the IPS mannequin, and in addition a number of ounces lighter.

CPU: Intel Core Extremely X7 358H

Reminiscence: 32GB LPDDR5x-9600

Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc B390

NPU: 50 TOPS

Show: 14-inch 2880×1800 120Hz OLED touchscreen

Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD

Webcam and microphone: 4K webcam with IR digital camera

Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1 and Energy Supply, 1x 3.5mm audio jack

Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0

Biometrics: Home windows Hiya facial recognition

Battery capability: 70 watt-hours

Dimensions: 12.19 x 8.26 x 0.58 inches

Weight: 3 kilos

Working System: Home windows 11 Professional

Value: $2,259.99

The configuration we reviewed is priced at $2,259.99 on Dell’s web site, which is a major improve from the $1,349.99 entry-level MSRP. This worth contains the choice to make use of Home windows 11 Professional as an alternative of Home windows 11 Dwelling, which provides $60 to the worth.

Buyers with bigger budgets will at the moment discover solely the choice so as to add extra reminiscence (as much as 64GB) or extra storage (as much as 4TB). These upgrades work out to an all-in worth of $3,109.99 for a mannequin with 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Dell says it should ultimately add the choice to improve to an Intel Core Extremely X9 388H, nonetheless.

The Dell XPS 14 with OLED show is an opulent Home windows laptop computer with strong CPU and built-in GPU efficiency.

Dell XPS 14: Design and construct high quality

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-5.jpeg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Dell XPS 14 design" class="wp-image-3067292" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

Dell positions the XPS 14 as a return to the most effective of the laptop computer’s design legacy, and it fulfills that promise. This laptop computer is a looker, although not in an overt or flashy manner. It as an alternative focuses on the small print to ship a refined, full package deal.

The outside is clad in thick aluminum panels with nice curves that lack any sharp edge or floor, and the graphite colorway delivers an attractive darkish luster. The one branding is a small, shiny XPS brand on the lid, and the inside isn’t marred by stickers.

Opening the laptop computer with a single finger is straightforward. The body of the show could be very barely bigger than the decrease half of the laptop computer’s chassis, making a small lip, and the strain of the hinge is well-tuned.

Putting the laptop computer on a scale will reveal it is available in at three kilos, which is heavy for a 14-inch Home windows laptop computer in 2026. That’s one thing to bear in mind. Many aggressive laptops, such because the Asus ExpertBook Extremely, are nearer to 2.5 kilos or much less. Alternatively, the heft provides to the XPS 14’s premium really feel, and the laptop computer continues to be mild sufficient that it gained’t really feel like a lump in a median laptop computer bag.

Dell XPS 14: Keyboard, touchpad

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-2.jpeg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Dell XPS 14 keyboard" class="wp-image-3067296" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

The keyboard was the weakest hyperlink in the latest Dell XPS and later Dell Professional fashions because of the firm’s controversial determination to exchange the bodily perform row keys with touch-sensitive buttons. Happily, the keys at the moment are again and work simply as you'd anticipate.

Regardless of that enchancment, I nonetheless discover the keyboard to be lackluster. I don’t like Dell’s huge, slab-like keys, which have tiny gaps between them. I don’t suppose the plastics used for the keys look or really feel as premium as the remainder of the system, both. Key journey is shallow and keys activate with a timid bottoming motion. That’s to not say the keyboard is dangerous. It’s superb. Nonetheless, I desire the keyboard on different premium 14-inch laptops such because the Asus ExpertBook and Lenovo Yoga 9i line.

I've extra reward for the touchpad. Prior fashions didn’t present any visible indication of the place the touchpad was situated, however the brand new mannequin fixes that with refined however noticeable bumpers on the left and proper. The touchpad can also be giant, measuring about six inches vast and three inches deep. That’s higher than rivals, most of which have a touchpad that measures round 5 inches vast. The added area is useful when waggling fingers by means of paperwork with multi-touch gestures.

The touchpad additionally makes use of haptics to simulate bodily mouse clicks with out bodily motion. I’m a fan of haptic touchpads, and it’s an ideal match for a premium but transportable laptop computer just like the Dell XPS 14.

Dell XPS 14: Show, audio

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-1.jpeg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Dell XPS 14 display" class="wp-image-3067297" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

This assessment is for the Dell XPS 14 with the OLED touchscreen, which is a $150 improve over the IPS mannequin. Though Dell’s pre-baked configuration selector additionally pairs the OLED show with the laptop computer’s strongest obtainable Intel chip, the Core Extremely X7 358H, selecting a customized configuration helps you to snag the OLED with any inner {hardware} configuration.

And the OLED is certainly definitely worth the improve, at the least as long as battery life isn’t your high precedence (extra on that within the battery part). The OLED show ups the decision from 1920×1200 to 2880×1800, and whereas the 1200p show already seems to be slightly sharp, the advance is noticeable. Much more noticeable, after all, is OLED’s excellent distinction and colour gamut. The IPS show seems to be superb by itself however, when positioned side-by-side with the OLED, the IPS panel seems to be flat and uninteresting by comparability.

The OLED touchscreen has a refresh charge as much as 120Hz, although the IPS show supplies a 120Hz refresh charge, too. Curiously, the IPS show has a wider adaptive refresh charge vary (from 1 to 120Hz) than the OLED show (from 20 to 120Hz). I’d nonetheless advocate the OLED for movement readability, nonetheless, resulting from OLED’s decrease pixel response occasions and lowered movement blur.

Whereas the OLED show is good, the XPS 14’s audio system are distinctive. The laptop computer has a quad-speaker sound system with a pair of three-watt audio system and a pair of two-watt tweeters. The sound system manages to ship some sense of bass wallop, and whereas it’s (most likely) not going to trouble your neighbors, it could actually simply fill a studio house, residence workplace, or small kitchen with sound. Lenovo’s Yoga 9i is the one Home windows laptop computer I can recall with equally wonderful audio high quality, and most rivals are far much less pleasurable.

Dell XPS 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

Dell’s specs record a 4K webcam, although I had some hassle reaching 4K decision. In response to Dell, this can be a results of Home windows Studio Results, although the difficulty persevered even with Studio Results turned off. I might solely handle 1440p decision. That’s nonetheless sharper than most laptops (1080p is the usual), and the digital camera seems to be respectable for a webcam. The digital camera doesn’t have a bodily privateness shutter, although.

A dual-microphone array is offered for audio seize and does its job admirably. It picked up robust audio in my testing with little background noise. It’s not distinctive on this, as many laptops now supply good audio arrays.

Biometric login is out there by means of Home windows Hiya facial recognition. A fingerprint reader will not be obtainable.

Dell XPS 14: Connectivity

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-4.jpeg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Dell XPS 14 ports" class="wp-image-3067298" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

Whereas the Dell XPS 14 adjustments course on some choices made by latest Dell XPS/Dell Professional fashions, it sticks to the corporate’s fashionable strategy to connectivity. The laptop computer has three Thunderbolt 4 ports (which additionally assist USB-C, DisplayPort, and Energy Supply) alongside one 3.5mm audio jack, and that’s it.

On the upside, this can be a strong vary of high-speed fashionable connectivity for a Home windows laptop computer. The array of three Thunderbolt 4 ports supplies numerous choices for connecting a dock and high-speed storage.

Nonetheless, the laptop computer completely lacks USB-A, devoted video-out, a card reader, and different helpful bodily connectivity. For most individuals, meaning you’ll must dwell the dongle life. Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C are widespread, after all, but it surely’s nonetheless nearly unimaginable to thoroughly keep away from older connection requirements.

Whereas the bodily connectivity has trade-offs, the wi-fi connectivity is firing on all cylinders. The XPS 14 has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. Each requirements are new sufficient that there’s a very good likelihood you don’t personal every other gadgets that profit from them. Nonetheless, it’s good to see them included as it should assist future-proof the laptop computer’s wi-fi connectivity because the years roll on (and a laptop computer just like the Dell XPS 14 actually has the potential to stay helpful for 5 to 10 years).

Dell XPS 14: Efficiency

The Dell XPS 14 on this assessment has not solely the OLED improve, but additionally a {hardware} improve from the entry-level Intel Core Extremely 5 325 to the Intel Core Extremely X7 358H, which is at the moment the most effective obtainable silicon (nonetheless, Dell says the Core Extremely X9 388H might be obtainable sooner or later). The Core Extremely X7 358H pairs a 16-core CPU with Intel Arc B390 graphics and, on this configuration, is flanked by 32GB of speedy LPDDR5x-9600 reminiscence.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-pcmark-10.png?w=1200" alt="Dell XPS 14 PCMark" class="wp-image-3067303" width="1200" height="702" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

First up is PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark. It has favorable issues to say in regards to the Dell XPS 14 and reaches a rating of 8,809. Because the graph reveals, that is a wonderful rating when positioned subsequent to quite a lot of Intel and AMD laptops from the prior era. It does fall behind the Asus ExpertBook Extremely, nonetheless, as that laptop computer posted a fair higher rating of 9,892 on this benchmark.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-cinebench-r24.png" alt="Dell XPS 14 Cinebench" class="wp-image-3067304" width="1024" height="630" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

Subsequent we flip to Cinebench, a closely multi-threaded render check, and the story right here is just like PCMark. Intel Core Collection 2 chips didn't carry out nicely in any respect on this benchmark, as represented by the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI. The Dell XPS 14 practically doubles the Swift Edge 14 AI’s outcome.

The Asus ExpertBook Extremely stays within the lead, although. The HP Elitebook X G1a with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 additionally scores a victory. That’s consultant of AMD Ryzen AI 9 chips usually, as they have an inclination to carry out nicely on this benchmark.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-handbrake.png?w=1200" alt="Dell XPS 14 Handbrake" class="wp-image-3067308" width="1200" height="778" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

In Handbrake, a video encoding check that depends on the CPU, we see the Dell XPS 14 scores its first win. And, maybe extra importantly, the Intel Core Extremely X7 358H as soon as once more delivers an enormous achieve over the Intel Core Extremely Collection 2 chips that had been present in comparable laptops final 12 months. That is about pretty much as good as CPU efficiency will get for a 14-inch Home windows laptop computer.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-3dmark.png" alt="Dell XPS 14 3DMark" class="wp-image-3067310" width="1024" height="644" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

Whereas the Intel Core Extremely X7 358H is a powerful performer in CPU checks, that’s solely half the story. The chip additionally has Intel’s newest Arc B390 built-in graphics and it, very like the CPU, delivers an enormous achieve over its predecessor.

Because the graph above reveals, the Dell XPS 14 can ship main positive aspects over older Intel chips with Arc 140V graphics and AMD chips with Radeon 890M graphics. Arc B390 is commonly 40 or 50 p.c faster than the most effective built-in graphics obtainable final 12 months.

That has real-world advantages. Cyberpunk 2077 can common 36 frames per second at 1080p decision and Extremely element, and that’s with out Intel XeSS picture scaling. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, in the meantime, averaged 52 frames per second at 1080p and Highest element, as soon as once more with out XeSS in use.

Utilizing XeSS picture upscaling can increase the typical framerate in each video games past 60 frames per second. That’s exceptional for an built-in graphics resolution.

Dell XPS 14: Battery life and portability

Dell ships the XPS 14 with a 70 watt-hour battery and boldly claims the laptop computer can last as long as 40 hours on a cost. That declare is simply relevant to the variations with the IPS show, nonetheless, and was achieved by native playback of a 1080p video file at 150 nits of brightness.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dell-xps-14-oled-battery-life.png" alt="Dell XPS 14 battery life" class="wp-image-3067311" width="1024" height="711" loading="lazy" /> Foundry / Matthew Smith

PCWorld’s normal check does contain taking part in a video, however we use a 4K file of the quick movie Tears of Metal and check at 200 nits of brightness. Because the graph reveals, our outcomes had been mediocre at finest. The XPS 14 endured about 16 hours, which is an efficient however not distinctive outcome.

It’s value mentioning, although, that I’ve additionally examined the Dell XPS 14 with the LCD show. I’m nonetheless engaged on the total assessment, however I can verify it lasts about twice as lengthy on a cost, as I’ve managed to hit at the least 22 hours of battery life on this identical check. The Dell XPS 14 with LCD show additionally has the much less energy hungry Intel Core Extremely 5 325 chip, which seemingly contributes to that mannequin’s superior battery life.

Dell XPS 14: Conclusion

The Dell XPS 14 with OLED show is an opulent Home windows laptop computer with strong CPU and built-in GPU efficiency. I additionally like the massive, responsive touchpad and dedication to high-speed connectivity, which incorporates Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7. The OLED show is beautiful and the built-in audio is among the many finest obtainable from a Home windows laptop computer. Dell nonetheless wants to enhance the keyboard, which feels extra shallow and fewer premium than many rivals.

All of this leads to a laptop computer that’s excellent however only a hair away from being my high choose. The Dell XPS 14 seems to be spectacular and proves pleasurable to make use of, however I didn’t prefer it as a lot because the Asus ExpertBook Extremely, which is lighter and has a greater keyboard. Nonetheless, the brand new Dell XPS 14 is likely to be for you in case you’re all-in on Thunderbolt 4, otherwise you crave Home windows laptop computer with a sublime and refined look.