Dell is in the center of a transition. It has a brand new emblem, and a brand new simplified method to branding. The Dell 14 Plus is among the many first laptop computer to launch to check the waters on this new period, which is seeing the tip of subbrands like XPS and Inspiron. Whereas the extra thrilling XPS substitute remains to be to return, the Dell 14 Plus has arrived to step into the footwear of the previous Inspiron Plus laptops.
Whereas it’s removed from the most exciting laptop on this planet, it gives a strong steadiness of high quality and worth, if solely it had extra configuration choices accessible to correctly classify it as a cheap laptop.
Dell On The Shell
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
The Dell 14 Plus isn’t what I’d name a reasonably laptop computer. However I don’t suppose it’s making an attempt to be. As a substitute, it’s making an attempt to be inoffensive. Previously, that may have meant a plastic, black shell. Today, it means a silver chassis with as few distractions or ornaments as attainable. The Dell 14 Plus succeeds at doing that.
Extra importantly, the laptop computer feels fairly sturdy within the hand. The lid has completely zero give, probably due to how tightly wound the hinge is. You possibly can’t open it with one finger although—the truth is, there isn’t even a lip on the lid on your finger. That lid is thicker than regular, too, regardless of the machine being simply 0.67 inches thick. That’s not skinny in comparison with a MacBook Air, no, but it surely’s skinny sufficient to really feel trendy for a laptop computer of this value. It additionally permits for sufficient room to squeeze in some legacy ports, together with USB-A and HDMI. That’s along with the 2 USB-C ports and the headphone jack. My solely grievance is that each USB-C ports are on the left aspect, that means it’s the one aspect you possibly can cost from.
One of many issues that retains the Dell 14 Plus from feeling like a extra premium laptop computer is the display. It has some thick plastic bezels, and it makes use of a heavy-handed matte end. Whereas that helps for deflecting glare, it cheapens the look of the show, making it seem dimmer and extra saturated. That’s too dangerous too, because the display itself is a strong one. It’s a surprisingly well-calibrated IPS panel with first rate shade protection. In response to my testing, it tops out at 332 nits of brightness, which gained’t blow your socks off, however gained’t detract an excessive amount of from the expertise.
I ought to point out that Dell gives a greater show choice on its 2-in-1 fashions. It’s a shiny Mini-LED show, although it’s not at present accessible from what I can see.
The Dell 14 Plus has a serviceable keyboard and touchpad. Upon receiving the unit, I used to be involved in regards to the high quality of the touchpad, as its a side of mid-tier laptops that tends to get compromised. The touchpad is not excellent—the floor is not as easy as I might like. However I am joyful to report that this touchpad feels responsive, and the press mechanism is not overly loud.
Restricted Choices
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
The Dell 14 Plus has simply single processor choices, the Intel Core Extremely 7 256V. That is Intel’s trendy, environment friendly CPU that delivers a strong leap in battery life over earlier generations. I’ve examined this chip plenty of occasions already, and the Dell 14 Plus handles it simply tremendous. The Dell 14 Plus even does a job of staying comparatively cool and quiet. This is not the sort of laptop computer you purchase for operating heavy functions or video games, however for the varsity, workplace work, or gentle content material creation, the Dell 14 Plus has loads of muscle.
