Dell XPS 14 (2024): Powerful Yet Flawed
The latest addition to the Dell XPS lineup, the XPS 14, brings a unique hybrid approach that sets it apart. It offers ample processing power and sufficient graphics capability, making it a viable choice even for casual PC gaming. While its stylish design may appeal to some, it might not suit everyone’s tastes, and its battery life falls short of expectations, detracting from its overall appeal.
The new Dell XPS 14 laptop is a powerful machine with a great display and the latest specs. It’s a significant improvement over recent XPS models, which had received mixed reviews. The XPS 14 has a 14.5-inch OLED display with high resolution and a fast refresh rate. It also has a powerful processor, plenty of RAM and storage, and an optional Nvidia graphics card for gaming. The base model starts at a lower price, but the high-end configuration we reviewed is more expensive.
Does the XPS 14 mark a new direction for the Dell XPS lineup? We’ll investigate.
Dell XPS 14 (2024): Design and Keyboard – Key Points
Design
- Sleek, minimalist look with CNC machined aluminum chassis
- Fingerprint-prone lid
- Abundant ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- Free USB-A and HDMI dongle included
- Heavier than some competitors (especially OLED version)
- Lack of display lip for opening
Keyboard
- Spacious layout with large keys
- Shallow key travel (1.0mm) may require adjustment
- Tiny arrow keys
- Touch-sensitive function keys replace physical keys (Escape, Delete included)
- Limited backlight control (on/off)
Trackpad
- Large Gorilla Glass trackpad with seamless design
- Haptic feedback for edge detection
- Ample space for comfortable use
Sustainability
- 25% recycled content
- Low-emission aluminium manufacturing process
- 89% carbon footprint reduction (according to Dell)
- Recycled/renewable packaging materials
Dell XPS 14 (2024): Display and Sound – Key Points
Display
- 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED display with rich colors and deep blacks
- 48Hz-120Hz variable refresh rate for smooth visuals
- Dolby Vision HDR support for enhanced contrast
- 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for accurate colors
- Up to 407 nits peak brightness (HDR mode)
- Gorilla Glass Victus for scratch and smudge protection
- 1080p webcam (upgrade from 720p on XPS 13 Plus)
Sound
- Stereo speakers with decent performance
- Focus on high-end frequencies
- Some improvement in sound depth at mid-volume
- Lack of bass
The Dell XPS 14 (2024) offers powerful hardware options but with some caveats:
- Strong CPU/GPU on paper: It boasts the latest Intel Core Ultra 7-155H CPU with 16 cores and a speedy Nvidia GPU.
- Real-world performance: Despite the powerful specs, benchmarks show the CPU underperforms compared to its potential.
- Great for everyday tasks: Regardless, the XPS 14 delivers a smooth and lag-free experience for everyday use.
- Gaming: The Nvidia GPU can handle most PC games at 1080p resolution, but expect settings to be around 30 fps for most titles.
Dell XPS 14 (2024) CPU Benchmarks: Underperforming Potential
The Dell XPS 14 (2024) CPU benchmarks reveal mixed results:
- Lower scores than rivals: Despite using the latest Intel Core Ultra 7-155H processor, the XPS 14 falls behind competitors like Asus Zenbook 14 and even the previous generation Dell XPS 13 Plus in single-core performance.
- Multi-core wins: The XPS 14 manages to outperform the Asus Zenbook 14 in multi-core tests.
- Overall: The CPU performance seems limited by Dell’s configuration, not reaching its full potential. This is a wider trend with Intel’s Ultra series chips, which generally lag behind Apple’s M-series and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series in single-core performance.
Gaming on XPS 14 (2024): Capable but Not Top-Tier
The XPS 14 features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, making it surprisingly capable of handling some popular PC games. However, it’s important to remember that the XPS 14 isn’t primarily designed for gaming, so expect settings to be adjusted for smooth performance around 30 fps at 1080p resolution.
Dell XPS 14 (2024) Gaming Performance: Manages Mainstream Titles at 1080p
The XPS 14’s Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU delivers decent, but not top-tier gaming performance:
- 1080p at 30 fps: This is the sweet spot for most popular PC games, with titles like Returnal averaging 49 fps and Rainbow Six Extraction at 86 fps.
- QHD resolution possible: While playable at lower frame rates (32 fps for Returnal), QHD can introduce choppiness.
- Ray tracing struggles: Enabling ray tracing in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 drops performance significantly (10 fps with ray tracing vs 36 fps without). DLSS helps boost frame rates without ray tracing.
- Not a gaming laptop: The XPS 14 prioritizes design and portability over raw graphics power.
- Compared to rivals: The Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED offers better gaming performance, but the XPS 14 boasts a sleeker design.
- Thermals: The XPS 14 stays cool during everyday use and even under gaming load, with the fans being audible but not excessively loud.
Overall, the XPS 14 can handle mainstream PC games at 1080p resolution, but it’s not ideal for those prioritizing high frame rates or demanding features like ray tracing.
Dell XPS 14 (2024) Software: Clean Windows 11 with a Focus on AI
The XPS 14 comes with a clean version of Windows 11, free from the usual bloatware found on many laptops from other manufacturers. Here are the key points:
- No bloatware: Enjoy a clutter-free Windows 11 experience.
- Windows Copilot integration: The XPS 14 features a dedicated keyboard key for quick access to the AI assistant Copilot, highlighting its importance in Windows 11.
- Dell utilities: A few Dell applications are pre-installed but remain hidden unless you choose to access them. These include My Dell (for settings), Dell Update (for software updates), and Dell Digital Recovery (for system restore).
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