If you happen to’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 prospect to check out the Dell XPS 14. Dell’s new flagship pushes the envelope of what I assumed a laptop computer might 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 enchantment to a variety of individuals. It is a very speedy laptop computer full of high-end specs. As a consequence of that, it is also a really dear laptop computer that’ll firmly be out of the vary of many individuals.

If price range is not a priority in any respect, there’s a lot to like about what’s on show right here. There isn’t any clear weak hyperlink, and the sheer energy makes it good for an on a regular basis phrase processor, whereas additionally permitting Adobe’s Artistic Cloud applications, resembling Photoshop, to run easily. Except for just a few minor nitpicks, I might 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

Execs & 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 value

If you happen to 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 excellent. The one factor that is lacking, no less than performance-wise, is a real graphics card. My evaluate 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 taking part in current, demanding AAA video games, although you would possibly be capable of 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 record simply high quality. Nevertheless, I would not say gaming needs to be your main focus with this laptop computer in any respect.

The elephant within the room is the value, and the mannequin I am reviewing prices $2,200 on Dell’s web site on the time of this writing. You possibly can decrease the value 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 may make the price range rather more manageable, so I might advocate laying out what you are searching for in a laptop computer and going from there. You may discover you could nonetheless get a really formidable laptop computer for less expensive in case you reduce some corners, and I like to recommend doing that earlier than leaping on one thing you do not want.

What I like concerning the Dell XPS 14

A stable machine

For anyone searching for a stable laptop computer as a every day driver, it is laborious 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 considerations about how the keyboard was flush with the bottom of the laptop computer, however after utilizing it, these considerations 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 serious standout, and you’ll simply squeeze out a whole eight-hour workday after which some in case you drop the brightness and simply do primary duties resembling image enhancing 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 lots brilliant sufficient. After all, the battery life will not proceed to be nearly as good as time goes on, however I am impressed up to now.

I might additionally wish to level out that the touch-screen OLED display screen is a welcome addition. Going from a non-OLED to 1 is all the time eye-popping, and it is no completely different right here. Colours look nice on this gadget, and having a contact display screen is a pleasant different to having to make use of the trackpad on a regular basis.

The skinny design of the laptop computer means it might 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 actually would not advocate dropping it on the bottom, it appears like it may possibly deal with some bumps and bruises carefully. When you have a quick Wi-Fi community, the laptop computer’s Wi-Fi 6 help is a pleasant contact as nicely.

What I do not like concerning the Dell XPS 14

It may’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 dearth of ports. I do know many individuals have separate hubs for his or her extra ports, however I might 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 many huge tradeoffs of getting slimmer laptops.

Except for that, the value is the one different main hiccup. I could not personally justify spending this a lot on a laptop computer primarily based on what I take advantage of one for. I principally do phrase processing, so there are a lot of cheaper choices obtainable for that. If you happen to want the additional processing energy and extra RAM, then the Dell XPS 14 will ship. If you happen to get your self a USB-C hub to go along with this laptop computer, I feel you may simply get loads 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 should depend on exterior gadgets to present my laptop computer some extra versatility that is available on older and cheaper gadgets.

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

Do you have to purchase the Dell XPS 14?

A cautious sure

I do not see any motive to be in opposition to this laptop computer because it does a ton proper. What it’s worthwhile 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 value in case you do not want every thing the highest-end choices have to supply. For instance, I do not want anyplace near 32 GB on a laptop computer, and I barely want that on my desktop PC. Alternatively, someone doing loads of video enhancing advantages from that.

If you happen to do find yourself getting this laptop computer, I’ve little doubt that you’re going to be impressed with what it has to supply. I give it a cautious suggestion primarily based solely on the truth that it is overkill for the informal particular person, even in case you 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 individuals like that. It is a excellent, 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 worthwhile to seize for easy net browsing and watching YouTube, however in case you love to do these issues with a wonderful display screen and snappy efficiency, then this will get the job finished.

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 to be fairly nearly as good as that. Sure, the efficiency might be missed as nicely, however for what I would like it for, loads of that’s wasted. If you happen to want good efficiency and are okay spending an excellent chunk of money, the Dell XPS 14 ought to actually be in your radar.

This gadget was offered to Pocket-lint by Dell.