Dell continues its pursuit of replicating the appeal of the MacBook, a strategy highlighted by a past misstep involving a rebranding of its entire PC lineup to “Dell Pro” and “Dell Pro Max” last year. Now, the iconic XPS branding has been reintroduced with a modernized logo, yet the company’s ambition to become the preferred choice for professional PC users remains central. Have these efforts finally yielded success?
The answer is nearly affirmative. The new XPS 14 embodies a design philosophy increasingly reminiscent of the MacBook Air, showcasing improvements in performance alongside a streamlined port selection. As anticipated, the laptop incorporates Intel’s Panther Lake chips, boasting enhanced GPU cores for increased graphical capabilities. This configuration positions it as a strong contender for specific workloads, particularly those involving moderate graphics demands, though its unconventional keyboard may present a challenge for some users.
XPS 14: Performance and Key Specifications
The latest iteration of Dell’s “extreme performance systems” delivers the extended battery life users have desired since the introduction of these compact laptops. Gizmodo received two configurations of the XPS 14 for evaluation, with the $1,700 model primarily serving to illustrate the benefits of opting for a more powerful processor. The midrange Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, while not matching the CPU benchmarks of Apple’s MacBook Pro M5, excels in integrated GPU (iGPU) performance, making it well-suited for light graphics applications.
Visually, the XPS 14 with OLED and the Intel Core Ultra X7 contrasts with the more affordable version featuring a 1200p IPS LCD screen and the Core Ultra 7 355. This shift towards Apple-like characteristics extends beyond performance, encompassing increasingly locked-down hardware and pricing structures. The XPS 14 equipped with the X7 358H carries a price tag of $2,200, positioning it competitively against 14-inch laptops with dedicated GPUs, such as last year’s Razer Blade 14 and the M5 MacBook Pro, which offer comparable memory specifications.
Design and User Experience Considerations
Dell’s design choices on the XPS 14 reflect a blend of aesthetics and functionality, resolving previous issues with the controversial light-up function row found on the 2024 model. The problematic design, which rendered the ESC, brightness, and volume keys difficult to locate in the dark, has been replaced with a standard key layout, addressing accessibility concerns. Additionally, subtle lines have been added along the trackpad to delineate the touchable area.
However, the seamless keyboard persists, with keys sitting nearly flush against one another. While a slight indentation attempts to provide tactile feedback, it’s insufficient to prevent accidental key presses, potentially leading to typing errors. The expansive trackpad, while generous in size, can also cause unintended palm rejections and clicks due to its proximity to the natural wrist resting position. Despite these drawbacks, the low-profile keys offer a responsive feel, and the haptic trackpad provides a smooth, textured surface.
Battery Life and Portability
The 2026 XPS 14 maintains a slim profile, measuring just 0.58 inches thick, and a lightweight build, with the OLED model weighing 3 pounds and the LCD version at 3.05 pounds. This is comparable to the MacBook Air’s weight of 2.7 pounds and thickness of 0.44 inches. The XPS 14 utilizes a relatively quiet fan system, contrasting with the Air’s passive cooling approach.
Unfortunately, mirroring the MacBook Air, the XPS 14’s compact form factor necessitates compromises in input/output options. The device features only three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, potentially requiring a dock for users with multi-screen setups. The use of Thunderbolt 4, rather than the newer Thunderbolt 5, is a consequence of the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 design.
Graphics Performance and Overall Value
The XPS 14’s tandem OLED screen boasts a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels, a 20-120Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 400 nits. The stacked diode layers enhance brightness and efficiency, delivering crisp visuals and deep blacks. The cheaper IPS LCD model offers a 1200p display with slightly higher brightness but lacks the OLED’s visual fidelity. The laptop’s quad-speaker design (two 3W speakers and two tweeters) delivers surprisingly robust sound quality for its size.
In terms of performance, the Intel Core Ultra X7 and X9 variants exhibit distinct characteristics. The X7, while falling short of the M5 in CPU benchmarks, demonstrates strong iGPU performance, achieving scores close to the Zenbook Duo in 3DMark benchmarks. Gaming performance at 1080p or 1200p is also respectable, with the XPS 14 matching the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 in Cyberpunk 2077. Battery life during typical usage lasted approximately six hours with the optimized thermal profile enabled. However, at $2,200, the XPS 14 faces competition from alternatives like the $200 more expensive Zenbook Duo with dual screens and the $1,400 MacBook Air with M4, raising questions about its overall value proposition.
