PC maker Dell launched its first range of AI-enabled PCs in April and it included a newly-designed XPS series.
This year, Dell has done away with the XPS Plus nomenclature and brought the iconic design to the OG lineup. The screen sizes have also changed this year from 15- and 17-inch models to 14 and 16 inches.
I had the chance to test out the capabilities and the functionality of the new XPS 14 and the device did match up to my expectations for the most part.
The device is powered by the AI-capable Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU. It has 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The 14.5-inch display is a 3.2K OLED touch panel.
With the specifications out of the way, let’s get into the experience.
The new XPS 14 brings a very sleek and premium design to the table — literally. The bold edge-to-edge design gives it a very unique identity, almost like the whole thing was carved out of a single piece of metal. The haptic glass trackpad is seamlessly integrated into the chassis and visually there is no way of telling that there is one. It stretches from the Windows key to the back arrow key and works with accuracy.
The keypad also has a no-space design, which makes the XPS stand out from the competition. While I enjoyed the typing experience on the device, I still have some mixed feelings about it. I liked how the keys had a softer, matte feel to them. The key travel on the keypad and the size of the keys are also decent, but the no-space aesthetic makes it harder to type if you have bigger fingers or longer nails.
You also get the dedicated Windows Copilot key that allows easy access to the AI assistant.
On top of the keypad is a capacitive function row and media keys. You can easily switch between the two by hitting the function + escape buttons.
I also like how the device has all three security options — Windows Hello with fingerprint and facial recognition along with PIN/password protection.
Last year, while reviewing the XPS 17, I had some issues with the display where it seemed extremely oversaturated. This time around, Dell fixed that too. The touch display is another cherry on top, which all high-end laptops should have to seem like a value-for-money option. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
The XPS 14 is also lightweight and very easy to carry around. What I did not like is how it is almost impossible to open the lid with one hand. When you pay over ₹1 lakh for a computer that is one thing that you absolutely cannot compromise on. Again, it’s not me making the rules.
I would also have preferred a sleeker chassis, something more in line with the premium price tag — 1.74 kg is not bad by any means but we know companies that have done better at lower prices. And there aren’t enough I/O ports to justify the thickness. You get three Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports, a 3.5 mm audio combo jack and a microSD card reader.
Apart from that, the XPS 14 is a win at ₹2,44,490. With the new processor, there is nothing that you throw at it and it wouldn’t do — except for running longer than six hours, don’t count on that.
This year, Dell has done away with the XPS Plus nomenclature and brought the iconic design to the OG lineup. The screen sizes have also changed this year from 15- and 17-inch models to 14 and 16 inches.
I had the chance to test out the capabilities and the functionality of the new XPS 14 and the device did match up to my expectations for the most part.
The device is powered by the AI-capable Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU. It has 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The 14.5-inch display is a 3.2K OLED touch panel.
With the specifications out of the way, let’s get into the experience.
The new XPS 14 brings a very sleek and premium design to the table — literally. The bold edge-to-edge design gives it a very unique identity, almost like the whole thing was carved out of a single piece of metal. The haptic glass trackpad is seamlessly integrated into the chassis and visually there is no way of telling that there is one. It stretches from the Windows key to the back arrow key and works with accuracy.
Dell XPS 14 (Image: Pihu Yadav)
The keypad also has a no-space design, which makes the XPS stand out from the competition. While I enjoyed the typing experience on the device, I still have some mixed feelings about it. I liked how the keys had a softer, matte feel to them. The key travel on the keypad and the size of the keys are also decent, but the no-space aesthetic makes it harder to type if you have bigger fingers or longer nails.
You also get the dedicated Windows Copilot key that allows easy access to the AI assistant.
On top of the keypad is a capacitive function row and media keys. You can easily switch between the two by hitting the function + escape buttons.
I also like how the device has all three security options — Windows Hello with fingerprint and facial recognition along with PIN/password protection.
Last year, while reviewing the XPS 17, I had some issues with the display where it seemed extremely oversaturated. This time around, Dell fixed that too. The touch display is another cherry on top, which all high-end laptops should have to seem like a value-for-money option. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
The XPS 14 is also lightweight and very easy to carry around. What I did not like is how it is almost impossible to open the lid with one hand. When you pay over ₹1 lakh for a computer that is one thing that you absolutely cannot compromise on. Again, it’s not me making the rules.
I would also have preferred a sleeker chassis, something more in line with the premium price tag — 1.74 kg is not bad by any means but we know companies that have done better at lower prices. And there aren’t enough I/O ports to justify the thickness. You get three Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports, a 3.5 mm audio combo jack and a microSD card reader.
Apart from that, the XPS 14 is a win at ₹2,44,490. With the new processor, there is nothing that you throw at it and it wouldn’t do — except for running longer than six hours, don’t count on that.
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
