Why I recommend this Dell laptop over competing Windows PCs for work

ZDNET Highlights

• The Dell 14 Plus is currently on sale, with pricing starting at $649 for the 16GB version.
• In times of economic turmoil, this laptop is a lifeline, delivering next-generation performance at an affordable price.
• However, don’t expect too much from its display, as this is no 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 is going to rebrand its entire portfolio. Classic names like “XPS” and “Inspiron” were dropped to be replaced with more generic-sounding titles.

These include “Dell,” “Dell Pro,” and “Dell Premium.” I’m eager to try out this generation to see if it ushers in a new era for Dell or if it remains somewhat of the same. I recently got that opportunity dell 14 plus,

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It is the latest midrange laptop from the company and one of the successors to the Inspiron series. It even looks like an Inspiron, with the familiar combination of grey, rubber keys on an all-silver body. Although the design isn’t revolutionary, I still had a great time with the Dell 14 Plus.

It blends tried-and-tested technology with next-generation advancements. Reiterating what I said in my old Inspiron 14 Plus review, “The device has many of the hallmark features I enjoy in laptops.”

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

The Inspiron 14’s comfortable keyboard is back. Its chocolate-shaped keys remain soft and sensitive to touch. They sit inside a chassis made primarily of aluminum, which gives Dell’s machine a nice, sturdy feel. As before, the bottom has rounded edges for comfort.

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I also think Dell read my previous review because I recommended that the brand continue to use the same anti-fingerprint manufacturing technology for future products. Certainly, in my entire time handling the Dell 14 Plus there was not a single fingerprint stain on it.

solid performance

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

Looking at the numbers, you’ll see that Dell’s computers performed quite well in the three tests. It outperformed the Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura Edition in every metric and came very close to beating the HP EliteBook.

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This tells me that the 14 Plus renders high-resolution images quickly and tackles demanding workloads with relative ease. It is not a high-end model, but the configuration can provide a similar experience.

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

Unsurprisingly, the Dell 14 Plus performed very well. It handled all open windows with little slowdown; Nothing too debilitating. A major drawback for heavy workloads was that the keyboard would get a bit warm after several minutes.

Let’s talk about that display

Hence, the laptop offers top-notch performance apart from a solid design. You may be wondering, “Are there any problems with the Dell 14 Plus?” Yeah, I wasn’t a big fan of the performance. This is not bad in itself; The screen didn’t distract me. Perhaps I’ve 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 delivered impressive image detail. The display’s anti-glare coating helps maintain clarity in bright conditions. However, compared to the previously mentioned Lenovo Yoga 9i, the Dell 14 Plus’ screen is noticeably duller.

And it’s not without support. Dolby Vision is present, which allows displays to support a wider range of colors, but it’s still not great.

Also inside the chassis are a pair of 2.5W speakers backed by Waves MaxAudio Pro and Dolby Atmos core. Together, they enable immersive sound output. However, the drivers are located on the bottom of the laptop, pointing downwards. I’ve never been a fan of this placement because it muffles the sound.

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Fortunately, the aforementioned audio software pairing allows the Dell 14 Plus to overcome this limitation to some extent. Music and dialogue come from the speaker well. That said, I can’t help but wonder how much better the sound output would be if the drivers were on top.

In terms of battery life, the Dell 14 Plus lasted about 11 hours and 40 minutes under best power efficiency before draining completely. For comparison, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura Edition can last up to 12 hours with the right optimizations. I’m liking Dell’s machine more because it offers a comparable experience at a lower price.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

At the time of publication, dell 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 of RAM. It is currently on sale at a discount $1,060All three come with 1 TB SSD.

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Dell’s latest machine stands out as a great affordable option that performs very well among expensive computers. It was such a great experience that I’m overlooking some of the problems with it. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a next-generation laptop that won’t shrink your wallet due to its price tag. For me, this is definitely the highlight of 2025.

That said, if you’re looking for something else, I’d recommend this Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura EditionIt has a much better display and stronger AI features, although it is more expensive.

This article was originally published on May 15, 2025, and was updated on August 29, 2025 to reflect the updated pricing, which makes the Dell laptop an even more great pick for students and office workers.