Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
The Dell XPS 14 is an excellent14 - inch laptopwith a thoroughly modern design and aesthetic , as well as some riotous constituent . you’re able to even configure it with an Nvidia RTX 4050 .
But there ’s no question that it ’s been controversial . Between the inconspicuous trackpad to the run signature keys , there are plenty of reasons to reckon a different option . Here are the five alternative you should consider before draw out the gun trigger on the XPS 14 .
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
Apple MacBook Pro 14
TheMacBook Pro 14is the XPS 14 ’s main competition . Many people looking for a faster 14 - column inch laptop will look at these two as innate alternatives to one anotehr , and for good reason . Both laptop computer are incredibly well - build , both have dissipated components , and both offer excellent display .
However , they ’re not identical by any stretch of the vision . The MacBook Pro 14 is much more guardedly designed , but it has a blockier , even more cohesive aesthetic that exudes solidity and elegance . On the interior , the MacBook has a more traditional keyboard and haptic touchpad , but they ’re both arguably more precise and less fatiguing than the XPS 14 ’s . The MacBook Pro ’s display is brighter and has effective HDR carrying out , but the XPS 14 ’s OLED panel has broad and more precise colors .
In term of performance , the MacBook Pro 14 part with the base M3 that ’s slenderly slower than the Core Ultra 7 155H that ’s presently available in the XPS 14 . And the XPS 14 ’s RTX 4050 is faster than the foundation M3 ’s incorporate GPU . But here ’s the thing : The MacBook Pro 14 can scale up to the unbelievably debauched M3 Max chipset with 16 mainframe cores and 40 GPU pith . That loop is significantly quicker in highly demanding productiveness and creative workflows . The MacBook does n’t support as many games , but those that run natively are fast .
eventually , the MacBook Pro 14 ’s electric battery lasts much longer than the XPS 14 ’s — up to three fourth dimension as long . Of course , all that mightiness and efficiency come at a cost . The MacBook Pro 14 costs hundreds more than the tantamount XPS 14 , and one thousand more at the high remainder .
Apple MacBook Air 15
The XPS 14 is reasonably small for a 14 - in laptop computer , but it ’s still thick and heavier than theApple MacBook Air 15 in venom of the latter ’s larger 15.3 - inch display . If you require a slightly bombastic presentation , then the MacBook Air 15 is the most portable machine around . It ’s one of the thinnest laptops useable today , and it ’s also considerably lighter . The display is n’t quite as colorful as the XPS 14 ’s OLED panel , but it ’s good enough for all but the most demanding creators .
Even though it ’s completely fanless , the MacBook Air 15 is competitive with the XPS 14 for anyone who primarily fly the coop productivity apps and performs less demanding telecasting and photo redaction . It runs the base M3 that ’s slightly slower in CPU - intensive job and games , but it ’s competitive in apps that take advantage of the chipset ’s encoding and decrypt optimizations .
As with the MacBook Pro 14 , the human body quality is also excellent and it has a more minimalist and elegant plan . The keyboard and tactual touchpad are also a bit good than the XPS 14 ’s , and the audio quality is a cut above .
Unlike with the MacBook Pro 14 , the MacBook Air 15 is also slightly less expensive than the XPS 14 . It ca n’t be configure with as much RAM or warehousing , but for most users , the highest - conclusion modelling is more than sufficient .
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9
A convertible 2 - in-1 offers a lot of flexibleness with its clamshell , collapsible shelter , media , and tablet mode , while pinch displays and combat-ready pens add another dimension to interact with a laptop computer . Among the best modern model is theLenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 , which is one of the best to cross our doors in 2024 .
The Yoga 9i Gen 9 is , unsurprisingly given its place on this list , a very well - built laptop that ’s every bit as rigid as the XPS 14 while being a lot thinner and light . That ’s in spite of using a 2 - in-1 hinge that houses Lenovo ’s Soundbar with two tweeters that combine with two side - firing woofer for splendid audio quality . The Yoga ’s human body edge are rounded for superfluous comforter and a modern look , and the 2 - in-1s aesthetics are drop - idle gorgeous .
The Yoga use the same Core Ultra 7 central processor as the XPS 14 , but is fix to Intel Arc graphics . That means that it ’s not as fast in game and originative apps , but it ’s equally fast for productiveness uses . The excellent organic light-emitting diode display , Dolby Vision HDR , and sound quality , combined with the media way , make for an awesome media consumption experience .
To top it all off , the Yoga 9i Gen 9 is well less expensive than the XPS 14 . It ’s a great choice for anyone who feels limit by a clamshell - only soma factor .
HP Spectre x360 14
The Yoga is n’t the only first-class convertible 2 - in-1 to pit against the XPS 14 . TheHP Spectre x360 14is another — in fact , the Spectre is one of the best 14 - column inch laptops , period . It all starts with the 2 - in-1 formatting , which HP has honed over several generations . It ’s not quite as flimsy or light as the Yoga , but it ’s more so than the XPS 14 , and the Spectre ’s rounded build edge and notched corners housing a USB - atomic number 6 and audio jack are well-situated and functional .
The Spectre x360 14 ’s build quality is special , as is its artistic , which is both elegant and modern . As a 2 - in-1 , it handles four modes highly well , and HP ’s fighting penitentiary provides for smooth and accurate digital composition and draught .
While the Spectre also does n’t offer a discrete GPU , it ’s very tight for productiveness use and offer better battery life . The OLED display deliver superior coloration and its HDR performance is excellent .
HP often puts the Spectre on sale for close to $ 1,000 , and at that price , it ’s a steal . Even when to the full configured , it ’s substantially less pricy than the XPS 14 .
Asus Zenbook 14 Q425
There are many good reasons for theAsus Zenbook 14 Q425to be on this inclination . To begin with , it ’s as well - built as any laptop here , with a satisfying all - atomic number 13 chassis and lid that jib bending , flexing , and whirl . That ’s an Asus stylemark and it keep true with this laptop .
It also uses an OLED exhibit , which Asus has been implemental in pushing down into midrange and near - budget machines . This version is a lower FHD+ resolution , but it has the common bright colours and ink-black blacks and helps the Zenbook 14 Q425 give the beneficial stamp battery life-time on this lean outside of the two MacBooks .
And the Zenbook is plenty loyal with its Core Ultra 7 155H. It ’s first-class for productiveness use and media consumption while not being the best for creators due to a deficiency of a distinct GPU alternative .
However , where the Zenbook 14 Q425 stands out is in its damage . It list for $ 1,050 in its most powerful constellation with 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD , but it can be retrieve for $ 800 and less . That score it by far the most low-priced option here .
