Dell XPS 14 (2026) Review: Dell's timeless Windows laptop makes a comeback, and it's difficult to resist.

      **Dell XPS 14**

      **MSRP:** $2,879.99

      "An iconic thin-and-light returns with enough polish and power to make the price sting a little less."

      **Pros:**

      - Beautiful CNC aluminum construction

      - Crisp and responsive 2.8K touchscreen OLED display

      - Robust Core Ultra X7 and Arc B390 iGPU performance

      - Impressive battery life for this performance class

      - Excellent speakers

      - Superb haptic touchpad

      **Cons:**

      - XPS line has become even pricier

      - Keyboard feels a bit mushy

      - Limited selection of ports

      - Brightness could have been better

      - Highly susceptible to fingerprints

      **Quick Take:**

      Dell's XPS lineup has long been renowned. It's one of those Windows laptop series that people recognize even if they're not particularly into laptops. It features a clean design crafted from premium materials, sharp displays, and top-tier hardware. The Dell XPS 14 DA14260 upholds that reputation.

      This time, it delivers more power than I anticipated from a thin-and-light laptop.

      My review unit, finished in graphite, is equipped with Intel's Core Ultra X7 358H processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, Intel Arc B390 graphics, and a 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen. This configuration retails for approximately $2,879.99, categorizing it firmly within the high-end market.

      After using it as my primary work laptop for two weeks, I can confidently say that the XPS 14 maintains a sense of uniqueness. It ranks among the best-feeling laptops I've used lately, offering genuinely strong performance and the OLED display meets my expectations for a premium notebook.

      The steep price is a major drawback. It always is with XPS laptops. Often, expensive thin-and-light laptops rely too much on aesthetics alone. However, this model has enough performance and battery life to justify its premium status.

      **Digital Trends**

      **Dell XPS 14 Specifications:**

      - Model Number: Dell XPS 14, DA14260

      - Processor: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

      - Operating System: Windows 11 Home

      - Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X

      - Primary Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

      - Video Card: Intel Arc B390

      - Display: 14-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen, 400 nits SDR, up to 525 nits HDR, 100% DCI-P3, 20-120Hz

      - Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery, universal audio jack

      - Dimensions & Weight: 3 pounds / 1.36kg

      - Camera: 8MP (4K webcam) + IR blaster

      - Primary Battery: 70Wh dual-battery system

      - Power Adapter: 100W USB-C

      **Dell XPS 14 Design: An Expensive Look**

      **Quick Take:** The XPS 14 features a clean, portable, and durable design. It's one of the best-feeling Windows laptops in its size category.

      The XPS 14 makes a powerful first impression with its CNC aluminum chassis, which feels solid and dense without being overly heavy, and the graphite finish contributes a subtle premium aesthetic.

      Weighing 3 pounds (approximately 1.36kg), it is slightly heavier than some 14-inch laptops, but I found it easy to carry, barely noticing its weight in my bag. At one point, I even carried it alongside another similarly weighted Zenbook laptop, highlighting the advancements in thin-and-light models.

      The hinge is sturdy and keeps the display stable, although it feels a bit stiff when opening. You can open the lid with one hand, but Dell hasn’t provided enough of an indent for a firm grip, making the opening process less graceful than it could be—though this is a minor issue.

      However, the body is very susceptible to fingerprints. The finish looks stunning post-cleaning but quickly collects smudges upon touching. It can be distracting if one doesn't consistently wipe it down, particularly on the lid.

      Despite this, the design is impressive. It doesn’t demand attention; instead, it presents a sleek and tidy appearance, with a quality of build that rivals Apple’s MacBooks in terms of feel. I appreciate ASUS’ Ceraluminum finish on models like the Zenbook S16 OLED and Zenbook Duo, but this smooth Dell finish has its own appeal.

      Using it on my lap was unexpectedly comfortable since it includes two fans. There are no bottom vents to obstruct, so the laptop mostly stayed cool during typical tasks. Certain areas around the chip did warm up slightly, but the body dissipates heat effectively, rarely becoming an issue.

      **Design Score:** 9/10

      **Dell XPS