This is my top pick for both del laptop work and travel – especially at this price

Key takeaways of zdnet

• Dell 14 Plus is currently on sale, starting at $ 649 for the 16GB version.
• During the time of economic turmoil, this laptop is a lifeline, which offers the next-gene performance at an affordable price.
• However, do not expect too much from its performance, as it is not an OLED or 4K panel.

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May / 2025

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In early 2025, Dell took a bold step. The company announced that it was going to rebrand its entire portfolio. Classic names such as “XPS” and “Inspiron” were replaced with more common-ridden titles.

These include “Dale,” “Dell Pro,” and “del premium”. I am eager to see this generation whether it introduces a new era to Dale or if it is more. I had that opportunity recently Del 14 plus,

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It is the company’s latest midrange laptop and is one of the successors of the Inspiron series. Even it looks like an inspiron, plays a familiar combination of gray, rubber keys on an all-silver body. Although the design is not revolutionary, I still had a wonderful time with del 14 plus.

It is a mixture of tried and true technology with the next-round progress. To repeat what I said in my old Inspiron 14 Plus review, the device has many hallmark features that I enjoy in a laptop. “

If it is not broken, do not fix it

Inspiron is back from 14 to comfortable keyboard. The key to its chiclet size remains so far for touch. They sit mainly inside a chassis made of aluminum, making the Dale machine a good, strong. As before, the edges at the lower half are rounded for comfort.

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I also like to think that Dell read my previous review because I recommended that the brand continue to use the same anti-fingerprint manufacturing technology for future products. Certainly, Dell 14 Plus did not have a single fingerprint smoke in all my time.

solid performance

Inside my review was an Intel Core Ultra 256V processor, an integrated Intel Arch Graphics Card and 16 GB memory. Below is a table that highlights the performance results of Dell 14 Plus in several benchmark tests. I also included other laptops with similar hardware for comparison.

Looking at the numbers, you will see that Dell’s computer did well in three tests. It improved the Lenovo Yoga 9I aura version in every metric and is very close to HP Elitebook.

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This tells me that 14 plus presents high-resolution images quickly and demands relative easily demanding workload. It is not a high-end model, but the configuration can provide a similar experience.

This experience was reflected by my other performance tests, in which I ran 50 different tabs on Google Chrome. My selection includes many YouTube live streams (in some 4K resolution), ten ZDNET articles, five Amazon product listings and a series of randomly chosen GIFs.

Unexpectedly, Dell 14 Plus did very well. This handled all open windows with a touch of recession; Nothing is weak. A large negative aspect of heavy charge was overheating – the keyboard became slightly hot after several minutes.

Talk about that performance

So, the laptop performs a top notch in addition to having a solid design. You might be thinking, “Is there any problem with Dell 14 Plus?” Yes, I was not a big fan of performance. This is not bad per bad; The screen did not blow me. Perhaps I have been spoiled by other laptops that excel in these areas.

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My review unit had a 14-inch 2.5K (2,540 x 1,600) display that provided impressive image expansion. The anti-glare coating of the display helps maintain clarity in bright conditions. However, Lenovo was previously mentioned compared to Yoga 9i, Dell 14 Plus has a clearly dull screen.

And this is not without support. The dolby vision exists, allowing the performance to support a wide range of colors, but it is still not very good.

Also inside the chassis is a pair of waves Maxxadio Pro and 2.5W speakers supported by Dolby Atomos Core. Together, they enable immersive sound outputs. However, the drivers are located at the bottom of the laptop, indicating below. I have never been a fan of this placement as it sucks the sound.

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Fortunately, the above audio software pairing del 14 plus allows this limit to be sidelined to some extent. Music and dialogue sound from speakers is fine. He said, I cannot help, but wonder how much the sound production would have been if the driver was at the top.

In terms of battery life, Dell 14 Plus lasted about 11 hours and 40 minutes under the best power efficiency before drying completely. For comparison, Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura version can hit a solid 12 hours with correct adaptation. I prefer Dale’s machine more because it provides a comparable experience at a low price.

ZDNET purchase advice

At the time of publication, Del 14 plus Starts at just $ 649. The configuration of my review unit is slightly more expensive at $ 1,250. The most powerful option comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V chipset and 32GB RAM. It is currently on sale on a discounted $ 1,060All three come with 1 TB SSD.

Dale’s latest machine is as long as a great inexpensive option that performs very well between the sea of ​​expensive computers. It was a good experience that I am looking at some issues with it. I advise it to anyone in search of the next-jewelery laptop that will not make your wallet on the price tag. For me, this is definitely an attraction of 2025.

He said, if you are looking for something else, I advise Lenovo Yoga 9I Aura EditionIt has much better performance and strong AI characteristics, although it is more expensive.

This article was originally published on 15 May 2025, and updated on August 29, 2025 to reflect the updated value, which makes the del laptop a even more formidable pickup for students and office staff.