Dell XPS 14

The new Dell XPS 14 ( Summer 2012) ( $ 1,499 direct ) is approximately the same size and a bit heavier than its predecessor mainstream laptop , XPS theDell 14z ( $ 1,299 direct , 4 stars ) . Along the way to improve system like this , lost an optical drive , and got some battery capacity with some extra weight . This time the XPS 14 ultrabook will join the rankings , and should be judged on the length of the line . It is a system made for those who need just a bit more power to compute than they can get the average laptop anyway. Ultimately, this is a serious performance ultrabook appeal , but only in a more niche audience , than the general population .

Design and Features
Dell has improved the design of the XPS 14 , making it sleeker and less clunky looking than the previous Dell XPS 14z , which had a large speaker grilles flanking and clashing with contrasting silver - colored keyboard . The new system chiclet - style black keyboard with concave keys that match the dark gray bezel around better. An aluminum ring surrounds the system , highlighting its I / O port . The new touchpad is now produced a glass surface , with integrated left and right mouse buttons . With the new touchpad with two finger swipes to scroll is mild and not " grabby " as it is to some touchpads . The keyboard is backlit , as you would expect on a $ 1,499 system . The XPS 14 is half lobe arrow keys ( up and down ) and half concave ( left and right ) . This corresponds with other Ultrabooks like the Dell Inspiron 14z theDell ( $ 799 direct , 4 stars ) . Basically , the system looks like a big brother to theDell XPS 13 ( $ 999.99 direct , 4 stars ) . Lid The XPS 14 is silver - colored aluminum , but if you order the WWAN - equipped models you get black leather lid . All XPS 14 models share the silicone - covered aluminum base and dark gray magnesium palm rest with " soft - touch paint . "

The XPS 14 has a 14 - inch widescreen LED backlit panel , as its name suggests . The display is a seamless piece of Gorilla Glass protecting it . Although it is not a 1920 by- 1 , 080 true 1080p HD panel , screen resolution of 1600 -by - 900 is better than most of the other 13 - and 14 - inch panels . Most of these come with a 1366 -by - 768 resolution , which is enough for 720p HD . With the XPS 14 will let you see more than one website or blow up a picture more clearly than will a system with a lower screen resolution .

I / O port of the system by Punch machined - aluminum rings surround the XPS 14 . The port is plentiful for a ultrabook or other ultraportable . The system has two USB 3.0 ports ( one of which is a PowerShare charging port ) , an HDMI port , Mini DisplayPort , Ethernet , Kensington lock port , 3 - in- 1 card reader , and a headset / headphone jack . It trounces the XPS 13 , which is missing HDMI , card reader , and Ethernet . The XPS 14 is 0.8 by 13.2 by 9.2 inches ( HWD ) , so all larger sizes compared to the Editors Choice ' for Ultrabooks , the HP Folio 13 - 1020us ( $ 899.99 list , 4 star ) . Strange enough , it is very close to the size of the Dell XPS 14z ( 0.9 by 13.19 by 9.21 inches ) , although better still looks new models .

As with previous models, the new XPS 14 supports WiDi with the built - in Intel 802.11a/b/g/n Wi - Fi and WiDi software . It is up to you to get a compatible WiDi adapter for your TV . The new XPS 14 does not have an optical drive , although the older XPS 14z has had one in the same - the size of the package . Optical drive may not mean much these days , but it is disappointing that Dell could not make even more slender the system without the trip .

The XPS 14 weights a respectable 4.7 pounds by itself , and 5.6 pounds with the AC adapter . It was not horrible, but it was more than a pound heavier than the 3.3 - pound HP Folio 13 - 1020US and over 2 pounds heavier than the 2.5 - pound Toshiba Portege Z835 - P370 ( $ 1,049.99 list , 4 stars ) . Granted , I felt the Toshiba Z835 - P370 flimsier due to lower weight and ultra - thin chassis . You'll really feel the extra weight of the XPS 14 you are traveling across the room or across the country .

The extra weight is not compatible with the software load the XPS 14 , that pretty light . The system comes preloaded with Skype as well as a 30 - day trial version of McAfee SecurityCenter . Other preloaded software like Office Starter , Adobe Reader X , and webcam Central useful additions . 1.3 - megapixel webcam with dual - array microphones for easy Web Conferencing ( via Skype or the messaging client of your choice ) . 500GB hard drive system is supplemented by a 32GB mSATA SSD , for the aspects of the certification ultrabook Intel Smart Response Technology . Dell offers a 512GB SSD option - only $ 1999.