The Dell XPS 14 (2024) marks a significant return to the premium 14-inch ultrabook category, offering a compelling blend of power, portability, and polish. As part of Dell’s acclaimed XPS lineup, which has long stood as a benchmark in the Windows laptop space, the XPS 14 strikes a fine balance between productivity and creativity, all while maintaining the sleek, minimalist design language that has made the series so iconic.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the XPS 14 immediately evokes the premium feel of its siblings. Crafted from CNC-machined aluminum with a minimalist design, the chassis is incredibly sturdy while still maintaining a lightweight profile. The laptop comes in two color options: Platinum Silver with a black carbon fiber interior, and a more modern Graphite with a seamless glass palm rest.
The XPS 14 is notably compact for a 14-inch device, thanks to Dell’s signature edge-to-edge display and minimal bezels, a design choice that maximizes screen real estate without making the device bulky. It’s just under 18 mm thick and weighs around 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs), making it very portable for those who are always on the go.
Display: Immersive and Sharp
One of the standout features of the XPS 14 is its stunning 14.5-inch display. Available in both FHD+ (1920 x 1200) and 3.2K OLED (3200 x 2000) touch options, the screen is vibrant, sharp, and color-accurate. The OLED variant especially shines with true blacks, rich contrast, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, making it ideal for photographers, designers, and content creators.
The 16:10 aspect ratio adds extra vertical space, which is a boon for productivity, offering more room for multitasking and document editing. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass, and Dell’s Eyesafe technology reduces harmful blue light without sacrificing color accuracy.
Performance: Built for Work and Play
Under the hood, the Dell XPS 14 packs serious power. It features Intel’s 14th Gen Core Ultra processors, part of the Meteor Lake family, which use a hybrid architecture to deliver improved performance and energy efficiency. Options range from the Core Ultra 7 to the more powerful Core Ultra 9, depending on your configuration.
Where the XPS 14 truly differentiates itself is with its discrete GPU options. For users who need more graphical horsepower, Dell offers configurations with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, turning the XPS 14 into a capable machine for light gaming, 3D rendering, and video editing.
Combined with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, the XPS 14 handles heavy multitasking, software development, and media creation with ease.
Thermals and Cooling
Despite its slim profile, the XPS 14 incorporates an advanced dual-fan cooling system and vapor chamber technology. This ensures efficient heat dissipation even under load, keeping the system cool and relatively quiet during intensive tasks. The thermal performance is optimized using Dell’s AI-based thermal tuning software, which adjusts fan speeds and power consumption based on workload.
Battery Life: All-Day Endurance
Battery life on the XPS 14 is impressive, thanks to the combination of efficient Intel Ultra chips and a sizable 69.5Wh battery. Users can expect 8 to 12 hours of battery life, depending on usage and whether they opt for the OLED screen, which tends to consume more power.
For professionals working remotely or students taking their laptops to campus, this all-day battery life ensures you can stay unplugged for longer periods without hunting for a charger.
Keyboard, Touchpad, and Inputs
Dell has made some bold changes with the latest XPS lineup, including the introduction of a capacitive function row in place of physical function keys. While some purists may miss tactile buttons, the capacitive row works well and allows for dynamic changes depending on the application.
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with a good amount of travel and spacing, while the haptic glass touchpad is one of the best in the Windows ecosystem—large, responsive, and precise.
Connectivity and Ports
In line with modern ultrabook trends, the XPS 14 opts for a minimal port selection, but it doesn’t skimp on essential connectivity. You’ll find:
Software and Features
Running Windows 11 out of the box, the XPS 14 benefits from Microsoft’s latest interface enhancements and AI features. Dell’s own Optimized Performance AI tools intelligently manage power, cooling, and battery performance based on how you use the device.
Additionally, the laptop includes a high-quality 1080p webcam with IR sensors for Windows Hello facial recognition, and the quad-speaker setup delivers rich, clear audio—perfect for video calls or media consumption.
Pricing and Configurations
The Dell XPS 14 (2024) starts at around $1,699 USD, with higher-end configurations pushing above $2,500 USD, especially those with the OLED display and RTX graphics. It’s a premium laptop, but its performance and versatility make it a solid investment for power users, creators, and business professionals.
Verdict: A Stellar Mid-Sized Ultrabook
The Dell XPS 14 successfully brings the strengths of the XPS series to a versatile 14-inch form factor. With cutting-edge hardware, a gorgeous display, and a sleek build, it is one of the best all-around premium laptops available in 2024. Whether you're a creative professional, a tech-savvy student, or a business user seeking high performance and portability, the XPS 14 is well worth considering.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the XPS 14 immediately evokes the premium feel of its siblings. Crafted from CNC-machined aluminum with a minimalist design, the chassis is incredibly sturdy while still maintaining a lightweight profile. The laptop comes in two color options: Platinum Silver with a black carbon fiber interior, and a more modern Graphite with a seamless glass palm rest.
The XPS 14 is notably compact for a 14-inch device, thanks to Dell’s signature edge-to-edge display and minimal bezels, a design choice that maximizes screen real estate without making the device bulky. It’s just under 18 mm thick and weighs around 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs), making it very portable for those who are always on the go.
Display: Immersive and Sharp
One of the standout features of the XPS 14 is its stunning 14.5-inch display. Available in both FHD+ (1920 x 1200) and 3.2K OLED (3200 x 2000) touch options, the screen is vibrant, sharp, and color-accurate. The OLED variant especially shines with true blacks, rich contrast, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, making it ideal for photographers, designers, and content creators.
The 16:10 aspect ratio adds extra vertical space, which is a boon for productivity, offering more room for multitasking and document editing. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass, and Dell’s Eyesafe technology reduces harmful blue light without sacrificing color accuracy.
Performance: Built for Work and Play
Under the hood, the Dell XPS 14 packs serious power. It features Intel’s 14th Gen Core Ultra processors, part of the Meteor Lake family, which use a hybrid architecture to deliver improved performance and energy efficiency. Options range from the Core Ultra 7 to the more powerful Core Ultra 9, depending on your configuration.
Where the XPS 14 truly differentiates itself is with its discrete GPU options. For users who need more graphical horsepower, Dell offers configurations with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, turning the XPS 14 into a capable machine for light gaming, 3D rendering, and video editing.
Combined with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, the XPS 14 handles heavy multitasking, software development, and media creation with ease.
Thermals and Cooling
Despite its slim profile, the XPS 14 incorporates an advanced dual-fan cooling system and vapor chamber technology. This ensures efficient heat dissipation even under load, keeping the system cool and relatively quiet during intensive tasks. The thermal performance is optimized using Dell’s AI-based thermal tuning software, which adjusts fan speeds and power consumption based on workload.
Battery Life: All-Day Endurance
Battery life on the XPS 14 is impressive, thanks to the combination of efficient Intel Ultra chips and a sizable 69.5Wh battery. Users can expect 8 to 12 hours of battery life, depending on usage and whether they opt for the OLED screen, which tends to consume more power.
For professionals working remotely or students taking their laptops to campus, this all-day battery life ensures you can stay unplugged for longer periods without hunting for a charger.
Keyboard, Touchpad, and Inputs
Dell has made some bold changes with the latest XPS lineup, including the introduction of a capacitive function row in place of physical function keys. While some purists may miss tactile buttons, the capacitive row works well and allows for dynamic changes depending on the application.
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with a good amount of travel and spacing, while the haptic glass touchpad is one of the best in the Windows ecosystem—large, responsive, and precise.
Connectivity and Ports
In line with modern ultrabook trends, the XPS 14 opts for a minimal port selection, but it doesn’t skimp on essential connectivity. You’ll find:
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery
- 1 x full-size SD card reader
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack
Software and Features
Running Windows 11 out of the box, the XPS 14 benefits from Microsoft’s latest interface enhancements and AI features. Dell’s own Optimized Performance AI tools intelligently manage power, cooling, and battery performance based on how you use the device.
Additionally, the laptop includes a high-quality 1080p webcam with IR sensors for Windows Hello facial recognition, and the quad-speaker setup delivers rich, clear audio—perfect for video calls or media consumption.
Pricing and Configurations
The Dell XPS 14 (2024) starts at around $1,699 USD, with higher-end configurations pushing above $2,500 USD, especially those with the OLED display and RTX graphics. It’s a premium laptop, but its performance and versatility make it a solid investment for power users, creators, and business professionals.
Verdict: A Stellar Mid-Sized Ultrabook
The Dell XPS 14 successfully brings the strengths of the XPS series to a versatile 14-inch form factor. With cutting-edge hardware, a gorgeous display, and a sleek build, it is one of the best all-around premium laptops available in 2024. Whether you're a creative professional, a tech-savvy student, or a business user seeking high performance and portability, the XPS 14 is well worth considering.