Dell XPS 14 Review: New, Improved, and Underwhelming

The 2022 Dell XPS 13 Plus introduced a bold new design with features like a seamless trackpad, a flush "zero-lattice" chiclet keyboard, and a "capacitive touch function row." Unfortunately, it also came with issues like excessive heat and short battery life. Now, Dell has extended this futuristic design across its entire XPS lineup, including the new 14-inch and 16-inch models. The XPS 14 ($2,500 as reviewed) addresses some of the shortcomings of its predecessors but still manages to fall short in some key areas.

Image: The new Dell XPS 14

Design and Build

The XPS 14 boasts a sleek and modern design, mirroring the aesthetic of the XPS 13 Plus with its invisible trackpad and touch function row. The keyboard, while chic and flush, feels springy and lacks the tactile feedback that many users prefer. The keys are placed close together, which can be uncomfortable for extended typing sessions. The touch bar, replacing the traditional function row, also lacks the haptic feedback that would enhance usability.

Performance and Thermals

One of the significant improvements in the XPS 14 is its thermal management. Despite being configurable with a discrete graphics card and housed in a smaller chassis, the XPS 14 stays cooler than both the XPS 13 Plus and the XPS 15. Equipped with a Meteor Lake Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, it outperforms the XPS 13 Plus's Core i7-1280P by 21%. The model reviewed also featured an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, providing a boost for graphics and video work, though it's not optimized for gaming.

Battery Life

Battery life is another area where the XPS 14 shines. Even with an OLED display, the device manages to deliver up to 12 hours of battery life, which is double that of the XPS 13 Plus. This is achieved with a battery that is only 23% larger, showcasing significant efficiency improvements.

Connectivity and Ports

The XPS 14 comes with three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a combo audio jack, and a microSD slot, offering better connectivity options than the XPS 13 Plus, which only has two USB-C ports. The device is also configurable up to 64GB of memory and 4TB of storage, catering to power users and professionals who need substantial performance and storage capabilities.

Usability

Despite its impressive specs and sleek design, the XPS 14's usability issues cannot be overlooked. The touch bar's lack of tactile feedback disrupts muscle memory, making it challenging to hit the right buttons without looking. The invisible trackpad, while aesthetically pleasing, can be tricky to use efficiently. Additionally, the power button's subtle design makes it hard to locate, which can be frustrating for new users.

Image: Side ports on the Dell XPS 14

Comparison and Value

While the XPS 14 competes well with other Windows laptops like the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED, it falls short when compared to the MacBook Pro. Apple's base M3 chip outperforms the XPS 14 in most benchmarks, and the MacBook's keyboard and trackpad offer a more satisfying user experience. Moreover, the XPS 14 is priced at a premium, making it less attractive when considering alternatives that offer better value for money.

Conclusion

The Dell XPS 14 addresses many of the shortcomings of the XPS 13 Plus, offering better performance, improved thermals, and significantly longer battery life. However, the typing experience, touch bar, and trackpad usability leave much to be desired. While it’s a step forward in some respects, the XPS 14 still feels underwhelming overall. For users looking for a high-performance Windows laptop, there are better options available, especially with the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered XPS 13 on the horizon.

Dell XPS 14 Specs (As Reviewed):

• Display: 14.5-inch (3200 x 2000) 120Hz OLED touchscreen

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H

• GPU: Intel Arc (8 Xe cores), Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050

• RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X 7467MHz

• Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0

• Webcam: 1080p at 30 fps FHD RGB-IR

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3

• Ports: 3 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, microSDXC, headphone/mic combo

• Weight: 3.80 lbs.

• Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.71 inches

• Battery: 69.5 Whr