I Tested Dell’s Resurrected XPS 14 Laptop, and It’s a Big Comeback

Elite ultraportables must look the part, and Dell’s XPS 14 fits right in. Though it echoes last year’s Dell 14 Premium, several meaningful changes stand out: the return of a function-key row made of physical buttons (thank heavens!), the addition of subtle lines that delineate the touchpad area (ditto), and speakers positioned beneath the keyboard, without grilles. The XPS didn’t drop any style points in moving to this more practical design, either. The system still projects the sleek high-end vibe that Dell’s top-end consumer models are known for.

Dell’s build quality meets expectations for style and sustainability: The laptop’s outer panels and base cover, made of 75% recycled machined aluminum, pair with a 100% recycled Gorilla Glass touch panel for a buttoned-up look. The chassis feels impressively rigid, showing no flex, no matter how I pick it up. Thoughtful touches, like a hinge that allows one-handed lid opening, subtly reinforce the system’s upscale focus.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

At 0.58 by 12.2 by 8.3 inches (HWD), the XPS 14 is nearly all screen on the upper half, with slim bezels framing its 14-inch panel. Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro is actually slightly thicker, at 0.61 inch, while the ThinkPad X9 14 is thinner, at just 0.51 inch, but deeper and wider overall. Dell lands in the middle in terms of weight: At just 3 pounds, the XPS 14 narrowly holds onto its ultraportable status between the 3.4-pound MacBook Pro and the 2.74-pound ThinkPad X9 14.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Dell’s port selection is sparse. The XPS 14 has just three Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) connections and a headphone jack. All the USB-C ports support power delivery and DisplayPort out. Apple has normalized this approach, though it also brought back its dedicated MagSafe power connector. While having three USB-C ports allows two to connect other devices, with one dedicated to power, you’ll still need adapters or appropriate cables to connect displays or USB-A accessories. The laptop’s wireless connectivity is as modern as it gets, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 included via an Intel BE211 network card.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The XPS 14 relies on an IR webcam for biometric logins, which, more important, delivers outstanding visuals. I can catch the exceptional sharpness in the camera’s image, thanks to its 4K recording resolution. The camera exhibited accurate colors and well-balanced highlights, too. My only quibble with the camera? It lacks a privacy shutter, though on that score, it’s not alone in this class of laptop.

As for software, Dell keeps the array of preinstalled applications light. Among them is the Dell Optimizer app, which provides Dolby Vision display modes (“Bright,” “Dark,” or “Vivid”) and thermal performance profiles, including “Cool,” “Quiet,” “Ultra Performance,” and the default “Optimized” setting. Another, Dell’s SupportAssist app, covers system updates, diagnostics, drive cleanup, and network optimization, with the option to schedule performance scans and updates.

Dell provides a standard one-year warranty for the XPS 14, and it also includes free access to its Dell Care Plus support service for that year. This otherwise extra-cost service includes 24/7 phone support, on-site repairs at home or in the office, and a diagnostic tool to detect issues early. (If you want coverage against accidental damage, that costs extra, the price depending on the device covered.)