Dell is in the middle of a transition. It has a new logo, and a new simplified access to marking. The Dell 14 Plus is among the first laptop to test the waters in this new era, which sees the end of subbies like XPS and inspiration. While the more exciting XPS replacement is still coming, the Dell 14 Plus has arrived to step in the shoes of the old inspiration plus -tek computers.
While it is far from the most exciting laptop In the world, it offers a solid balance of quality and value, if only it had more configuration options available to properly classify it as Cheap laptop.
Dell on the shell
Photo: Luke Larsen
The Dell 14 Plus is not what I would call a beautiful laptop. But I don’t think it’s trying to be. Instead, it is trying to be offensive. In the past, this may have meant a plastic, black shell. These days, it means a silver chassis with as few distractions or ornaments as possible. The Dell 14 Plus manages to do that.
More importantly, the laptop feels very robust in the hand. The cover has an absolutely zero gift, probably because of how firmly wounded the hinge is. However, you can’t open it with one finger – in fact, there’s not even a lip on the lid for your finger. This cover is thicker than normal, also the device is only 0.67 inches thick. That is not thin compared to a MacBook AirNo, but it’s thin enough to feel modern for this price laptop. It also allows enough room to push some hereditary ports, including USB and HDMI. This in addition to the two USB-C ports and the headset. My only complaint is that both USB-C ports are on the left, meaning it is the only side from which you can load.
One of the things that prevents the Dell 14 plus to feel like a more prize laptop is the screen. It has some thick plastic bezels, and it uses a heavy man’s end. While this helps to turn a flash, it cheaper the appearance of the screen, making it darker and more saturated. This is too bad too, because the screen itself is solid. It is a surprisingly well calibrated IPS panel with a decent color coverage. In my testing, it peaks at 332 nits of glow, which will not blow your socks, but will not interfere with too much experience.
Let me mention that Dell offers a better screen option on its 2-in-1 models. It is a brilliant mini-guided display, although it is not currently available from what I can see.
The Dell 14 Plus has a working keyboard and a touch pattern. Having received the unit, I took care of the quality of the touch pattern, as its appearance of medium -sized laptops that tend to compromise. The touch pattern is not perfect – the surface is not as smooth as I would like. But I’m happy to report that this touch pattern feels responsive, and the clicking mechanism is not too loud.
Limited options
Photo: Luke Larsen
The Dell 14 Plus has only single processors, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. This is Intel’s modern, effective CPU, which delivers a solid jump in battery life over previous generations. I’ve already tested this chip a few times, and the Dell 14 Plus handles it well. The Dell 14 Plus even does work to stay relatively cool and quiet. This is not the type of laptop you buy to arrange heavy applications or games, but for the school, office work or light content -making, the Dell 14 Plus has a lot of muscle.
