execs and cons
- Excellent battery life
- Good {hardware}
- Prime quality display
- Susceptible to fingerprints
- Extremely reflective
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For a lot of 2026, I figured HP had the midrange laptop market on lockdown. Over the previous 12 months or so, the corporate has launched one spectacular low-cost pocket book after one other, from the OmniBook 7 to the OmniBook 3. I nearly thought the race was over. Then I obtained the brand new Dell 14S and my thoughts modified. HP has stiff competitors.
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The Dell 14S does not reinvent the wheel. As a substitute, the laptop computer excels on the fundamentals. The machine pairs a premium, light-weight design with reliable {hardware}, an outrageous battery life, and among the best OLEDs you may discover at this value. The result’s a piece laptop computer that feels as premium as a machine twice the worth. At a time when laptop computer costs proceed to climb, this PC offers precisely the type of worth consumers are in search of.
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Trying cool
I am an enormous fan of the laptop computer’s aesthetics. It’s a modern, light-weight pc fully adorned in a Celestial Blue end — at the very least, my assessment unit was. The color shifts between hues relying on how the sunshine hits the machine. You’ll be able to see this alteration within the picture under. Beneath vivid out of doors gentle, the Dell 14S takes on a deep midnight blue, however below hotter indoor gentle, it is extra of a darkish grey.
Open the lid, and you will find the keyboard deck in the identical end, making a clear, cohesive design. Mix the colour with rounded corners and delicate edges, and also you get a type issue paying homage to an Apple MacBook. Trying down, the touchpad sits barely off-center towards the fitting. This design helps you to comfortably management the cursor along with your left hand. I attempted navigating with my proper hand, and felt extra cramped since there was much less room to maneuver my wrist naturally. This setup is not a serious deal-breaker, however potential consumers ought to pay attention to the strategy.
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The truth is, I do have a couple of nitpicks in regards to the design. As a lot as I really like the Celestial blue end, it is a fingerprint magnet. The coloured end smudges very simply. Additionally, I want the lid had both a lip protruding or a small indentation. The Dell 14S’s weight is evenly distributed, so it passes the one-finger check. I can raise the lid, and the laptop computer does not transfer round. Nevertheless, getting a great grip on the lid is just a little tough. The perimeters of the machine are so clean that I needed to maintain the machine down earlier than I may raise the show.
Vibrant display
The Dell 14S is an ideal instance of why display-enhancing software program issues. On paper, the display specs do not appear tremendous spectacular, however its supportive options assist elevate what may’ve been a mean panel to an amazing one.
The laptop computer sports activities a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200 pixel) show working at a 60Hz refresh charge. Neither spec is especially thrilling in 2026, however Full HD+ is satisfactory. Zoomed-in high-resolution photos retain their high quality, however they do not supply the identical stage of element as higher-end screens. Likewise, the refresh charge is okay for basic productiveness, however lacks the smoothness discovered on higher shows. The display’s peak brightness is barely 300 nits, making it onerous to see in vivid environments. The panel’s shiny end compounds visibility points.
Additionally: I’m recommending this 14-inch HP laptop to almost everyone in 2026 – even with the RAM crisis
I had a tough time taking pictures of the Dell 14S for this assessment as a result of the display’s glass mirrored a lot gentle. So a lot of my pictures had a window or my face within the reflection.
That mentioned, it isn’t all dangerous. The truth is, I’d say it is principally constructive. The Dell 14S boasts a 14-inch OLED panel that covers the whole DCI-P3 colour gamut and helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient. With all these parts working collectively, the visible output is fantastic. The OLED know-how delivers sturdy distinction between highlights and shadows and Dolby Imaginative and prescient ensures the colours keep true to life. On-line content material, from motion pictures to YouTube movies, seems top-notch. Like different Dell laptops, this mannequin helps ComfortView Plus, which actively reduces the quantity of blue gentle despatched out to cut back eye pressure.
Efficiency
My assessment unit got here outfitted with an Intel Core Extremely 7 355 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, placing this machine firmly within the midrange class. To place its capabilities into perspective, I in contrast the Dell 14S towards equally positioned laptops in the identical value and efficiency classes. I needed to concentrate on methods that potential consumers would contemplate alongside Dell’s mannequin. And towards its rivals, the 14S holds up fairly effectively, delivering top-notch efficiency at a cheaper price.
And it is right here the place the Dell 14S shines: delivering dependable efficiency with out costing an arm and a leg. The machine is extremely responsive, waking immediately when the lid is opened. I used this PC whereas writing my article evaluating the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Razr Fold, having linked the machine to an exterior monitor. Even with a dozen browser tabs open, music streaming within the background, and a number of purposes working (together with WPS Workplace), the laptop computer ran easily with no noticeable slowdowns. Due to the CPU’s energy, photograph modifying was one other main energy. I used to be capable of make changes to high-resolution pictures in GIMP comfortably.
The laptop computer persistently performs effectively for prolonged durations of time with out main thermal throttling — as long as you are straightforward on the {hardware}; Dell’s machine has its limits. The laptop computer grew to become fairly heat whereas working the benchmark exams and modifying my 4K check video venture. I may barely the keyboard as a result of it was so sizzling. That mentioned, it’s unlikely that the typical Dell 14S proprietor will expertise overheating throughout light-weight productiveness duties.
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Battery life is superior. For the primary time that I can keep in mind, I’ve a Dell laptop computer that may final so long as HP’s current releases. Dell laptops historically supply respectable battery life, round 18 hours, however fall in need of the endurance of HP laptops, which might final over 20 hours. The Dell 14S modifications that steadiness, having lasted roughly 22 hours on a single cost. That type of longevity makes the 14S a superb selection for commuters, college students, and professionals who want a laptop computer that may simply final by means of a full workday.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Costs for the Dell 14S begin at $1,000 for the bottom mannequin, and Dell provides a variety of customization choices. You may get my assessment unit for $1,469. Amongst PC laptops, I firmly consider that this laptop computer delivers a number of the finest general worth. The machine is reliable, has a modern design, and an distinctive battery life.
Does the Dell 14S present one of the best worth amongst all laptops? No, I consider that honor goes to the MacBook Neo (for now). Though not as highly effective because the 14S, it isn’t too far off in efficiency, and it is cheaper. The 2026 Dell XPS 13 is an alternative choice, as Dell’s response to the Neo. It sacrifices just a little little bit of energy however retains the stable Dell construct for a particularly aggressive value of $699.
