ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Dell XPS 14 (2026) with the Intel Panther Lake CPU is offered now, beginning at $1,549 and scaling to over $2,199.
- The XPS is again with one of the vital premium builds I’ve laid palms on, a stunning tandem OLED show, and usefulness enhancements.
- It is costly, and ditches discrete graphics for an built-in Intel GPU, which makes it considerably extra battery environment friendly however much less geared for gaming and graphics-intensive duties.
Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.
The XPS has gone via a little bit of an identification disaster of late. Final yr, Dell introduced it was restructuring its laptop computer catalog, putting off the favored XPS, Inspiron, and Latitude model names in favor of a extra streamlined “Plus/Premium” naming conference.
The rebrand was unpopular, to say the least, and on the finish of 2025, Dell execs rolled again the choice, admitting they’d missed the mark by nuking the XPS title (and, extra importantly, confirmed that lagging gross sales aligned with the unpopular notion).
Additionally: Dell simply made its boldest product determination but at CES 2026, and XPS followers ought to rejoice
And so, at CES 2026, the XPS hath returned — an epic resurrection story for one of the vital fashionable laptop computer manufacturers ever. With the return of the Dell XPS 14, there is a renewed sense of identification right here, a sense that Dell has gone all-in on its dedication to the model, and within the course of, produced the strongest XPS but.
Finest laptop computer offers of the week
Offers are chosen by the CNET Group commerce staff, and could also be unrelated to this text.
Construct and design
This is not the identical XPS as earlier than; it is thinner, smaller, and has higher battery life at the price of some lighter {hardware}. The 2026 XPS 14 has been refreshed with Intel’s newest Sequence 3 “Panther Lake” processor, a stunning tandem OLED show, some tweaks to its bodily construct, and swapping out the discrete GPU choice for Intel’s built-in graphics (for now, at the least).
These choices have a considerably equalizing impact on the XPS, making it much less specialised for gaming and high-end graphics functions however higher geared up as a light-weight, battery-efficient primary driver machine.
I reviewed two configurations of the brand new Dell XPS 14: one with an Intel Core Extremely X7 358H processor (that is the one with the Intel Arc GPU), 32GB of LPDDR5x-9600 RAM, and the tandem OLED show, presently on sale for $1,949, and one with the Intel Core Extremely 7 355, 16GB of RAM, and the IPS show for $1,649.
The bodily construct on each configs is nothing in need of gorgeous. The 2026 XPS 14 exudes premium, with a minimalist, refined design that employs texture, line, and area to make for a fantastic-looking machine. There isn’t any semblance of cheapness right here, no questionable plastic parts, no warping, flexing, or bending of the chassis. It is stable and a testomony to Dell’s engineering in that it is half a pound lighter than final yr’s Dell 14 Premium.
Additionally: Why mini PCs are all of a sudden a better purchase than costly laptops – this mannequin is proof
Examples of sensible design embody the show’s hinge that folds again to cover the bodily bezels on the backside, maximizing the perceived display measurement. The haptic monitor pad, which beforehand lacked delineation from the remainder of the wrist relaxation, now has two delicate but easy-to-feel strains to mark its finish. It feels improved, as nicely, with implausible palm rejection and good responsiveness. In truth, I’ve but to expertise a single false enter on the trackpad as a result of palm placement.
Dell improved the XPS’ signature zero-lattice keyboard as nicely, giving the keys some delicate indentations and crisper suggestions, however let’s be trustworthy, it nonetheless takes some getting used to. Typos are frequent when you’re constructing that hand-muscle connection, and if you happen to’re an exceptionally quick typist, you might be required to decelerate and be a bit extra deliberate.
Additionally: Evaluation: Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)
Then there’s the LED perform keys, which Dell has lastly carried out away with — a smart move in my view. Whereas I recognize experimental design components like these, the LED lights felt extra like a showroom gimmick than a sensible characteristic, and did not translate nicely to gaming, specialised functions, or repairability. The brand new design is a bit more grown-up and much more refined.
Lastly, it passes the one-finger check, however solely with some follow. The brand new press-fit hinge is not precisely simple to open, and the weight-balancing mechanism may be very sticky. The clamshell is nearly fully flush, which appears nice, however leaves little to seize onto. When closing the lid, although, it snaps shut with a satisfying click on, with zero hole.
{Hardware} and usefulness
The aforementioned {hardware} solidifies the XPS as a robust generalist client laptop computer with high-end {hardware} choices and a premium construct. Intel’s Panther Lake Core Extremely 5, 7, and Core Extremely X7 358H (with the Intel Arc GPU) make for a succesful and battery-efficient laptop computer with as much as 12 XE cores, 64GB of reminiscence, and as much as 4TB of native storage.
The dearth of a discrete graphics choice within the new XPS may be a bit disappointing for some, however the trade-off is its battery effectivity, significantly with the IPS show (extra on that in a bit). In addition to, Dell hinted at further configurations accessible within the close to future, doubtlessly coming later in 2026.
Evaluation: Asus ExpertBook B9 (2026)
Relating to connectivity, the XPS continues its minimalist strategy. You’ve got acquired three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (two on the left, one on the proper) with DisplayPort 2.1 and energy supply, and one audio jack, and that is it. This is not precisely something new for the XPS line, however it may nonetheless be just too restrictive for professional creators or customers who want the HDMI join or USB-A port.
The show is the place issues get thrilling. The two.8K tandem OLED is offered on each the 14- and 16-inch XPS units this yr, and it appears attractive. It is shiny (however handles glare nicely) and vibrant sufficient at 400 nits, with a 120Hz refresh fee, and Dell’s InfinityEdge design pushes the show to the sting of the panel.
Intel’s XeSS 2 AI graphics upscaling places within the work for gaming, with crisp, high-resolution pictures at 1080p. Intel says the 12 Xe cores within the Intel Arc GPU provides 50% sooner graphics efficiency versus the earlier era relating to graphics-intensive duties. Whereas this can be true in and of itself, I would not say they absolutely change a discrete graphics card.
Additionally: You are cleansing your desktop PC incorrect: 5 low cost and simple methods to keep up it
I fired up Steam and launched just a few older titles: “No Man’s Sky” and “Diablo IV”, and located middling efficiency with excessive graphics settings, even in efficiency mode. Increased-end titles like “Arc Raiders” and “Baldur’s Gate 3” require important graphics downscaling to be playable, and even then, are questionable. Much less demanding video games, nevertheless, like “WoW Classic,” look implausible and play nicely.
This makes the XPS 14 with built-in Intel GPUs nice for informal gaming and on a regular basis content material creation, however not a tool specialised for these use circumstances. For informal players or content material creators who do not want a heavy, costly workstation, the Intel Core Extremely X7 within the XPS 14 is a transportable choice with nice battery life.
Talking of, the battery life right here is one in every of its greatest enhancements, particularly with the Intel Core Extremely 7 355 and IPS show, which acquired 16.5 hours of battery life in our testing of on a regular basis utilization (working within the browser, multitasking throughout productiveness apps) on Wi-Fi in balanced mode at half brightness. A part of that is the XPS’s potential to dynamically cut back the panel’s refresh fee to as little as 1Hz when idle, massively rising battery life.
Additionally: What does an orange USB port imply? I discovered the reality behind the colours, and it is wild
Over on the OLED mannequin, issues nonetheless look good, netting a bit over 13 hours in my battery check. For typical workplace workdays, this simply equates to 1.5-2 full workdays with the IPS show and 1.25-1.5 with the OLED.
Though I’ve but to check it personally, it is value noting that the 2026 XPS 16 has the identical 70Wh battery as its 14-inch sibling, which shall be very attention-grabbing to see the way it compares.
In our benchmarking assessments, the XPS 14 with the Intel Core Extremely X7 performs very equally to different laptops with the identical chip we have examined to this point this yr, with outcomes that are not too far off from the Intel Core Extremely X9 Panther Lake within the ZenBook Duo.
In comparison with the Asus ExpertBook B9, one other premium laptop computer launched in early 2026 with the identical processor, the XPS 14 inches it out in efficiency, however provides barely higher battery life for the same value.
Equally, the distinction between the 2 fashions I examined (the Intel Core Extremely 7 355 and X7 358H) exhibits a comparatively giant leap in efficiency, particularly in multi-core efficiency, the place the latter’s 18-core structure outperforms the 12-core within the former.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Look, the XPS has modified, and whether or not or not you dig this present iteration will depend upon the place you fall on the person spectrum. In the event you’re knowledgeable who needs a transportable and highly effective primary driver that may perform a little little bit of all the pieces, and do not want a devoted gaming or graphics workstation — you may love the XPS 14. I am on this group, by the best way — I’ve a desktop at house for “real” gaming, and can fortunately sacrifice battery life for this attractive OLED.
If, nevertheless, you want a laptop computer that may throw down with the large canine in graphics-intensive, demanding duties, you may be higher off with one thing that runs a discrete GPU.
Evaluation: Dell Premium (2025)
I examined two totally different configurations of the XPS 14, and I strongly counsel going for the tandem OLED show with the Intel Core Extremely X7 processor, because the expertise is such a soar up that it is well worth the diminished battery life and better price.
That mentioned, my greatest gripe with the XPS 14 is its value level. Dell has repeatedly said a need to place its merchandise as extra accessible, and this iteration of the XPS would definitely lend itself to a lower cost level, significantly in comparison with the competitors.
Proper now, a number of configurations are on sale on Dell’s web site, with the OLED mannequin that includes the Intel Core Extremely X7 and 32GB of RAM going for $1,949, $250 off the common value.
Why the Dell XPS 14 (2026) will get our Editor’s Selection Award
The 2026 Dell XPS 14 is likely one of the most premium Home windows PCs in the marketplace proper now, providing an expertise that rivals the MacBook in efficiency, construct high quality, and battery life. Dell’s renewed dedication to the model and willingness to take heed to suggestions from its person base have resulted in an general stronger product.
