When you’ve received cash to burn, I discovered a near-perfect laptop computer

I do not sometimes use a laptop computer to work, however I could not move up the possibility to check out the Dell XPS 14. Dell’s new flagship pushes the envelope of what I assumed a laptop computer may do. Admittedly, I am not an enormous fan of laptops since I take advantage of a desktop for each work and play, and no, Dell’s newest providing is not going to vary that for me. Nevertheless, it is simple to see why the XPS 14 would attraction to a variety of individuals. It is a very speedy laptop computer full of high-end specs. Attributable to that, it is also a really expensive laptop computer that’ll firmly be out of the vary of many individuals.

If funds is not a priority by any means, there’s a lot to like about what’s on show right here. There is not any clear weak hyperlink, and the sheer energy makes it good for an on a regular basis phrase processor, whereas additionally permitting Adobe’s Creative Cloud programs, equivalent to Photoshop, to run easily. Other than a couple of minor nitpicks, I would say this can be a practically good laptop computer.

4/5

Working System

Home windows 11

CPU

Intel Extremely X7 358H

GPU

Intel Arc Graphics

RAM

32 GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 9600 MT/s

Professionals & Cons

• Glorious 120 Hz OLED contact display screen
• Lengthy battery life
• Nice efficiency
• Feels sturdy

• Solely three USB-C ports
• Vulnerable to fingerprints
• Costly

Value, specs, and availability

Full of efficiency, however at a excessive worth

When you can consider it, this laptop computer has it. Dell’s XPS 14 laptop computer boasts a whopping 32 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD storage, an Intel Core Extremely X7 358H that flaunts 16 cores, and a 2.8K 120Hz OLED contact display screen to prime it off. On prime of that, there are a trio of USB-C ports to plug in your peripherals and cost the laptop computer. It is a quick laptop computer that appears superb. The one factor that is lacking, at the least performance-wise, is a real graphics card. My evaluation unit did not embrace a discrete GPU, and as an alternative I used to be saddled with the built-in Intel ARC graphics. This limitation retains the XPS 14 from enjoying latest, demanding AAA video games, although you may be capable to get away with some older titles at decrease settings. This laptop computer can deal with Slay the Spire, Stardew Valley, and plenty of others on this list simply effective. Nevertheless, I would not say gaming needs to be your major focus with this laptop computer in any respect.

The elephant within the room is the worth, and the mannequin I am reviewing prices $2,200 on Dell’s website on the time of this writing. You’ll be able to decrease the worth by going for fewer specs. Slicing the contact display screen saves $150, and you’ll shave a further $450 by choosing a 512 GB SSD as an alternative. Doing this could make the funds far more manageable, so I would advocate laying out what you are in search of in a laptop computer and going from there. You may discover that you could nonetheless get a really formidable laptop computer for less expensive if you happen to reduce some corners, and I like to recommend doing that earlier than leaping on one thing you do not want.

What I like in regards to the Dell XPS 14

A stable machine

For anyone in search of a stable laptop computer as a every day driver, it is arduous to be displeased with what Dell has to supply right here. It is snappy because of its 16-core processor, and 32 GB of RAM goes a really great distance, particularly with how RAM costs look now. There is a devoted Copilot button, Microsoft’s AI platform, on the keyboard for people who find themselves into that. I had some preliminary issues about how the keyboard was flush with the bottom of the laptop computer, however after utilizing it, these issues shortly went away. Hitting the buttons feels satisfying, and it isn’t as clicky as another laptop computer keyboards I’ve used. I do not assume it is the best keyboard by any means, however I absolutely anticipated to hate it. After utilizing it for a number of hours, I’ve no issues to report.

Battery life is a significant standout, and you’ll simply squeeze out a complete eight-hour workday after which some if you happen to drop the brightness and simply do primary duties equivalent to image modifying and phrase processing, as I do for my work. I had no difficulties engaged on the bottom brightness setting obtainable, and I nonetheless discovered it loads shiny sufficient. In fact, the battery life will not proceed to be nearly as good as time goes on, however I am impressed up to now.

I would additionally wish to level out that the touch-screen OLED display screen is a welcome addition. Going from a non-OLED to at least one is all the time eye-popping, and it is no totally different right here. Colours look nice on this gadget, and having a contact display screen is a pleasant various to having to make use of the trackpad on a regular basis.

The skinny design of the laptop computer means it may simply really feel low cost, however I do not assume that is the case right here. The Dell XPS 14 feels prefer it’s firmly latched shut once I shut the lid, and whereas I definitely would not advocate dropping it on the bottom, it appears like it might probably deal with some bumps and bruises sparsely. When you’ve got a quick Wi-Fi community, the laptop computer’s Wi-Fi 6 help is a pleasant contact as properly.

What I do not like in regards to the Dell XPS 14

It could’t be good

Regardless of all of the issues I like about this laptop computer, there are nonetheless some nagging issues that I’ve to level out. The massive one for me is the shortage of ports. I do know many individuals have separate hubs for his or her extra ports, however I would prefer it if my laptop computer did not just about require one. It wasn’t too way back that laptops had a number of USB ports, headphone jacks, and Ethernet ports. This laptop computer has a trio of USB-C ports, which suggests I can not use my current mouse as a result of it wants a USB-A connection port. It is one of the big tradeoffs of getting slimmer laptops.

Other than that, the worth is the one different main hiccup. I could not personally justify spending this a lot on a laptop computer based mostly on what I take advantage of one for. I principally do phrase processing, so there are various cheaper choices obtainable for that. When you want the additional processing energy and extra RAM, then the Dell XPS 14 will ship. When you get your self a USB-C hub to go along with this laptop computer, I believe you’ll be able to simply get lots of mileage out of this gadget. Disappointingly, there’s not even an HDMI port included right here that lets me hook up a further show. That is once more one thing that could possibly be solved by grabbing a hub, however I want I did not need to depend on exterior units to provide my laptop computer some extra versatility that is available on older and cheaper units.

I’ve additionally seen that it is very simple to go away fingerprints all around the laptop computer. My lid grew to become lined with them nearly immediately, and I consistently discovered myself cleansing it off. It isn’t an enormous deal, nevertheless it was prevalent sufficient to the purpose the place I believe it is value mentioning.

Must you purchase the Dell XPS 14?

A cautious sure

I do not see any cause to be in opposition to this laptop computer because it does a ton proper. What it’s good to do is analysis what you need out of a laptop computer and decide from there. I’d extremely advocate combing the choices on Dell’s web site to drop the worth if you happen to do not want every thing the highest-end choices have to supply. For instance, I do not want wherever near 32 GB on a laptop computer, and I barely want that on my desktop PC. Alternatively, someone doing lots of video modifying advantages from that.

When you do find yourself getting this laptop computer, I’ve little question that you will be impressed with what it has to supply. I give it a cautious advice based mostly solely on the truth that it is overkill for the informal individual, even if you happen to do reduce a few of the higher-end options. I would not advocate this laptop computer to someone trying to simply casually surf the online. There are far cheaper choices for folks like that. It is a superb, light-weight laptop computer, and if it matches your wants, it will not allow you to down. I do not assume it is one thing it’s good to seize for easy internet browsing and watching YouTube, however if you happen to love to do these issues with a wonderful display screen and snappy efficiency, then this will get the job accomplished.

Once I ship this laptop computer again to Dell, what I will miss most is the quick OLED display screen. No different display screen I take advantage of every day seems fairly nearly as good as that. Sure, the efficiency might be missed as properly, however for what I want it for, lots of that’s wasted. When you want good efficiency and are okay spending a great chunk of money, the Dell XPS 14 ought to definitely be in your radar.

This gadget was offered to Pocket-lint by Dell.