Dell XPS 14 (2024 Model) Review

Dell’s XPS line has long set the benchmark for premium Windows laptops, and the all-new XPS 14 aims to redefine that legacy. It’s a bold attempt to merge the portability of a 13-inch machine with the power of a 15-incher. This is Dell’s vision for the future of the creator laptop, and it demands attention.

Dell has taken the divisive, futuristic design of the XPS 13 Plus and scaled it up, creating a machine that is both beautiful and challenging. The CNC-milled aluminum chassis in a Graphite or Platinum finish is impeccably built, feeling dense and rigid with zero flex. Lifting the lid reveals the star of the show and its most controversial elements: a seamless haptic touchpad, a lattice-free keyboard with large, comfortable keycaps, and a capacitive LED touch bar for function keys and media controls. Aesthetically, it’s a minimalist triumph. In practice, it’s a mixed bag. The keyboard is fantastic for typing, but the touch bar lacks the tactile feedback of physical keys, making quick adjustments like volume or brightness a more deliberate act. The invisible glass touchpad is equally polarizing; while its haptics are excellent, finding its edges without looking down is a skill that takes time to learn.

Under the hood, the XPS 14 makes a compelling case for itself as a mobile creative workstation. Powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra processors and an optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 discrete GPU, it strikes a balance between efficiency and power. For everyday tasks and productivity, the machine is silent and responsive. When you fire up Adobe Premiere or Blender, the RTX 4050 kicks in, providing a significant boost for video encoding, 3D rendering, and even some respectable 1080p gaming. While it won’t outperform a larger, thicker workstation like the XPS 15, it delivers impressive performance for its slim profile, though the fans will certainly make their presence known under sustained load.

The 14.5-inch InfinityEdge display is, without question, a highlight. The base model is a sharp FHD+ panel, but the upgrade to the 3.2K OLED touch display is worth every penny for creative professionals. It’s breathtakingly vibrant, with perfect blacks and exceptional color accuracy that make photo and video work a joy. Complementing the visual experience is a solid quad-speaker setup that gets loud and offers surprising depth. In terms of connectivity, Dell provides two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a third USB-C port (non-Thunderbolt on NVIDIA models), a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s a step up from the XPS 13, but the lack of USB-A or HDMI means a dongle will still be a necessary accessory for many.

Ultimately, the Dell XPS 14 (2024) is a statement piece. It’s an exquisitely built laptop with a stunning screen and the performance to handle serious creative work on the go. However, its value is tied directly to your willingness to embrace its forward-thinking, and sometimes frustrating, design choices. For those who prioritize a clean, modern aesthetic and are willing to adapt to the touch bar and seamless trackpad, the XPS 14 is a fantastic-feeling machine that elegantly bridges the gap between ultrabook and workstation. If you live by your function keys and prefer the certainty of physical inputs, the learning curve might prove too steep for the premium price.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon