Dell is in the center of a transition. It has a brand new brand, 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 top of subbrands like XPS and Inspiron. Whereas the extra thrilling XPS alternative remains to be to come back, the Dell 14 Plus has arrived to step into the sneakers of the previous Inspiron Plus laptops.
Whereas it’s removed from the most enjoyable laptop computer on this planet, it provides a stable steadiness of high quality and worth, if solely it had extra configuration choices obtainable to correctly classify it as a low cost laptop computer.
Dell On The Shell
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
The Dell 14 Plus isn’t what I’d name a fairly laptop computer. However I don’t suppose it’s attempting to be. As a substitute, it’s attempting to be inoffensive. Previously, that may have meant a plastic, black shell. Nowadays, it means a silver chassis with as few distractions or ornaments as doable. 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, seemingly due to how tightly wound the hinge is. You possibly can’t open it with one finger although—in reality, there isn’t even a lip on the lid to 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, however it’s skinny sufficient to really feel trendy for a laptop computer of this worth. 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 criticism 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 unhealthy too, for the reason that display itself is a stable one. It’s a surprisingly well-calibrated IPS panel with first rate shade protection. In line with 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 provides a greater show possibility on its 2-in-1 fashions. It’s a shiny Mini-LED show, although it’s not at present obtainable from what I can see.
The Dell 14 Plus has a serviceable keyboard and touchpad. Upon receiving the unit, I used to be involved concerning the high quality of the touchpad, as its a side of mid-tier laptops that tends to get compromised. The touchpad is not good—the floor is not as clean as I might like. However I am completely happy 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 stable bounce in battery life over earlier generations. I’ve examined this chip quite a lot of instances already, and the Dell 14 Plus handles it simply nice. The Dell 14 Plus even does a job of staying comparatively cool and quiet. This is not the type of laptop computer you purchase for working heavy functions or video games, however for the varsity, workplace work, or gentle content material creation, the Dell 14 Plus has loads of muscle.