Dell XPS 14z Pro Reviews

Dell's XPS 14z could be accused of looking rather like a MacBook Pro. If this was a deliberate ploy, it’s also a risky one, as few laptops can stand comparison with the MacBook Pro's design, build and feature set and still walk away with their reputations intact. Fortunately, the Dell XPS 14z is one that almost can. In all, there's a lot of laptop on offer here for under £1000, despite our mixed feelings about the display. A fine looking, sturdy and fast laptop with an attractive price tag, we've no hesitation in recommending it.

The XPS 14z is a competent system. The keyboard and other upsides of the 15z have mostly made their way over to the smaller notebook, so if you were already set on getting an XPS as soon as you could find a smaller size, you can certainly go ahead. If you're not too particular about raw performance, it's capable enough for some real gaming or media editing duties, especially if it's mostly filling in for those times when you're not at a desktop.

The Dell XPS 14z has one or two rough edges, but for the most part it’s very neatly designed and provides good, strong performance at a competitive price. ®

Overall, the Dell XPS 14z is an elegant-looking, lightweight laptop, weighing just 4 pounds, 7 ounces (5 pounds, 6 ounces with the 90W power brick). It’s easy to carry, easy on the eyes, and easy to type on. Most users will be happy with this laptop, but they may find themselves wishing for just one or two more USB ports.

The XPS 14z tries hard to impress and is ultimately let down in a few key areas. The screen is the biggest issue; a premium notebook should come with a premium screen. Its lifeless 720p panel is no different than those found in budget notebooks and an upgrade is not offered. Next is the keyboard which needs better tactile feedback; the typing experience is disconnected. Continuing the fan should be quieter under full load; it can be heard across the room. Lastly there is a lack of USB ports and no standard way for users to upgrade components such as the hard drive. On a positive note the design looks great (even if it is MacBook Pro-like) and the overall quality is excellent; the metal is milled perfectly. The speakers are respectable and the oversized Synaptics touchpad is a pleasure to use. Last but not least it has a fantastic 7+ hours of battery life. Overall we are hard pressed to recommend the XPS 14z unless a better screen option becomes available or the notebook falls below the $1,000 mark.

We like the XPS 14z, but perhaps not for all of the reasons Dell is advertising. For all its embellishments, this doesn't feel like a premium laptop, and its performance doesn't put it ahead of the pack either. Finally, it's also one of the worst bloatware offenders we've seen in some time. Still, the XPS 14z is worth considering, but for a less glamorous reason than Dell intended: it's simply comfortable to use. We cranked out a lot of work on this thing. We typed thousands upon thousands of words on this laptop, and barely noticed the keyboard and trackpad -- as good a sign as any that they've been designed with care. That expansive Shuriken display does indeed make a difference, while other key details like long battery life, a light build, sunken hinge and an effective heat management system make it one ergonomically sound laptop. We can think of more arresting laptops with beefier entry-level specs, such as the Envy 14 and VAIO SA, but the XPS 14z is nonetheless a sensible choice, even if it's not the fastest or prettiest.

Dell seems to understand the need for better displays at one level, as we have the Precision line now offering IPS panels as an upgrade (albeit one that will cost you $400 extra!), they've had RGB LED as an option for several years on certain models, and the XPS 15/15z have at least better than average displays. In fact, the 15/15z managed to one-up Apple's MacBook on the display front by offering 1080p in a 15.6" panel compared to Apple's 1440x900 resolution (though Apple does offer matte panels as an alternative). Toss in a better display and the 14z suddenly becomes far more compelling and flirts with another Editors' Choice award; without it, it's a laptop that looks good in every area except the one place where your eyes are going to be focused most of th time.

Beautifully built and offering good usability, the all-metal, milled-aluminium XPS 14z gives you style and power in a relatively compact package, including enough grunt for light gaming. One of its standout features is that it manages to fit a 14in screen into the equivalent of a 13in chassis, but unfortunately the screen itself is distinctly average. This, combined with awkward rear-only connections and mediocre battery life, mean it’s worth considering for its strengths but not an automatic must-buy.

A powerful, portable and handsome-looking system that won’t break the bank

Excellent performance and great battery life, wrapped in a gorgeous chassis for a reasonable price. The XPS 14z is an excellent portable powerhouse

The $1,299 Dell XPS 14z offers fast Core i7 performance in an elegant and portable package. In addition to the sleek and sturdy metal design, we like the smooth and accurate touchpad and helpful Dell Stage software. Some competing notebooks offer more graphics muscle, and the display isn't best in class, but overall this is one of our favorite thin-and-light notebooks. If you're looking for a mobile multimedia machine with plenty of power and style, the Dell XPS 14z will satisfy.

All in all, we see hardly any advantage to choosing this Dell XPS 14z over its larger brother the XPS 15z, other than the somewhat more compact form and 500 g less weight; the 15z has the distinct advantage, first and foremost, of a much better display (FHD available), and its battery life is better too.

The Dell XPS 14z gives even top competitors a run for their money, with an Intel Core i7 processor, switchable Nvidia graphics, spacious 750GB hard drive, and best-in-class keyboard, all wrapped up in a head turning compact design.

The XPS 14z is a more compact ultraportable version of one of the best laptops of 2011. While it isn't quite as technically impressive, it's still an excellent machine that can keep you entertained and productive on the move.

The high-end Dell XPS 14z is an attractive, powerful 14-inch laptop built into a 13-inch body, with plenty of configuration options, including decent graphics.

The thinnest 14-inch notebook ever, the XPS 14z offers up strong performance and a gorgeous design. Mobile professionals who demand a stylish, powerful PC should shortlist this one.