Here we bring you the Dell XPS 14 (9440) Review, starting with the pros and cons, followed by specifications, and then a detailed review.
Dell XPS 14 (9440) – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Smooth touchpad with cool LED function keys
- Battery lasts a long time
- Features the powerful GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card
- Plenty of memory and storage choicesWebcam works well
Cons
- Price is high considering what you get
- It’s a bit heavy for its size
- Keyboard might not be comfortable for everyone
- HDMI and USB-A ports need a dongle, though it’s a cute one!
Dell XPS 14 (9440) Specification
| Laptop Class | Business, Ultraportable |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 GB |
| Screen Size | 14.5 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1200 |
| Touch Screen | Not Available |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | Dynamic |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 6 GB |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.71 by 12.6 by 8.5 inches |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 19:36 |
Dell XPS 14 (9440) Review
Dell’s top-of-the-line XPS laptops are known for their standout features, and the new XPS 14 (model 9440) is no exception. Dell XPS 14 9440 price at $1,699 (starting) and $2,099 (as tested), it boasts an eye-catching LED touch-strip key row and a smooth haptic touchpad, first seen in the Dell XPS 13 Plus. It also comes equipped with Intel’s latest AI-enhanced technology and a dedicated key for Microsoft’s AI-enhanced Windows Copilot.
The XPS 14 is impressively sleek and fast, but its main selling points are its slightly larger 14.5-inch display and an optional discrete GPU, perfect for those who need extra performance for content creation. However, if you’re looking for a high-end ultraportable laptop, the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (UX3404) remains our top pick. Alternatively, Asus’ Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) offers a similar experience at a fraction of the XPS 14’s price.
In summary, while the XPS 14 is a great choice for those who prioritize performance and sleek design, there are more affordable options available that offer similar features.
Configurations and Design
While the XPS 14 comes with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor as the only option, our review unit is equipped with the $400-extra 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, replacing the standard Intel Arc integrated graphics. Additionally, it features base-model specs including 16GB of memory, a 512GB NVMe solid-state drive, Windows 11 Home, and an IPS screen with a 1,920-by-1,200-pixel resolution and variable 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate (without touch control). An optional $300 OLED touch panel with a 3,200-by-2,000-pixel resolution is available for those seeking an upgrade.
The XPS 14 offers ample memory and storage options, with capacities up to 64GB and 4TB respectively. However, its body is relatively dense, weighing 3.7 pounds (3.8 for OLED models), despite its compact dimensions of 0.71 by 12.6 by 8.5 inches. In comparison, the HP Pavilion Plus 14 weighs 3.04 pounds, while the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is even lighter at 2.82 pounds, qualifying as an ultraportable.
Constructed from CNC machined aluminum in Graphite (black) or Platinum, the Dell XPS 14 exhibits minimal flex, even when pressure is applied to the screen corners or keyboard deck. The InfinityEdge display boasts ultra-thin bezels, although it’s worth noting that the webcam positioned above the screen lacks a sliding privacy shutter or a keyboard camera-kill command. However, it does feature IR face recognition, complemented by a fingerprint-reader power button, providing two convenient ways to bypass password entry with Windows Hello.
Similar to other Dell XPS laptops and Apple MacBooks, the XPS 14 relies on USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports—two on the left edge and one on the right. Additionally, the right edge features an audio jack (unfortunately missing from the Dell XPS 13) and a microSD card slot. Although the laptop lacks USB Type-A and HDMI monitor ports, these are provided on a convenient dongle that plugs into a USB-C port, along with the AC adapter. While there’s no option for mobile broadband, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth are included as standard features.
Touch Pad
Like its predecessor, the XPS 14 keyboard features a modern lattice design, with keys seamlessly integrated into the surface rather than raised or separated. Even when the backlighting is off, the top row of LED icons remains illuminated, offering quick access to functions such as volume and brightness control, along with Home and End keys. However, Page Up and Page Down functions require using the Fn key in combination with the up and down cursor arrows, which are smaller and awkwardly placed.
While the keyboard looks sleek, it feels somewhat lacking in comfort. It’s quiet and responsive but feels shallow and stiff, leading to more typing errors and potential discomfort during prolonged use. On the other hand, the seamless glass touchpad is surprisingly user-friendly, with accurate right-clicking and a comfortable haptic click.
The webcam boasts 1080p resolution and supports Windows Studio Effects for automatic framing, eye-contact adjustment, and background blurring. It performs above average, delivering well-lit images with vivid colors and minimal noise or static, even in low-light conditions.
The XPS 14’s IPS screen offers impressive brightness and clean white backgrounds, though its tilt range is somewhat limited. Colors are rich and saturated, with decent contrast and wide viewing angles, while text appears sharp without any noticeable pixelation.
The MyDell app, preinstalled on the system, enhances the user experience by integrating with the webcam for presence detection, automatically locking and waking the PC as you move away and return. It also includes privacy features such as dimming the screen when you look away. Additionally, MyDell allows for fine-tuning of screen color settings, selection of cooling modes, and prioritization of network traffic for different applications.
Another notable feature of MyDell is its ability to toggle 3D audio effects and select from various equalizer profiles, ranging from acoustic to hip-hop. The laptop’s quad speakers deliver loud but somewhat hollow audio, with a bit more bass than typical laptops but lacking depth, particularly in drumbeats. Nonetheless, it’s still possible to distinguish overlapping tracks clearly.
Testing Graphics
While the XPS 14 boasts a unique 14.5-inch display, there are several 14-inch competitors available, catering to various preferences within the ultraportable category. Notably, the Lenovo Slim 7i 14 Gen 9 and the Acer Swift Go 14 offer similar Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPUs and 1,920-by-1,200-pixel screens, with the Lenovo model featuring OLED technology instead of IPS. On the other hand, the HP Pavilion Plus 14 and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) opt for AMD Ryzen processors, providing alternatives for those seeking different performance profiles.
Productivity Tests
We conduct a series of general productivity benchmarks across both mobile and desktop systems to assess their performance. Our initial test involves UL’s PCMark 10, which simulates various real-world productivity and office tasks to gauge overall system performance, including a storage subtest for the primary drive.
Additionally, we use three CPU-focused benchmarks, utilizing all available cores and threads to evaluate a PC’s suitability for processor-intensive workloads. Maxon’s Cinebench R23 employs the Cinema 4D engine to render a complex scene, while Geekbench 5.5 Pro from Primate Labs simulates a range of popular applications, from PDF rendering to machine learning. Furthermore, we utilize the open-source video transcoder HandBrake 1.4 to convert a 12-minute video clip from 4K to 1080p resolution, with lower times indicating better performance. Finally, PugetBench for Photoshop evaluates a PC’s performance for content creation and multimedia applications, using Adobe’s Creative Cloud version 22 to execute various Photoshop tasks.
All five slimline laptops easily surpassed the 4,000 points mark in PCMark 10, indicating excellent mainstream productivity suitable for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. While the XPS 14 performed admirably in our CPU tests and achieved a competitive score in Photoshop, it’s not intended for demanding workstation applications but serves well as a daily driver.
However, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch outperformed the XPS 14 in several tests, highlighting competitive processing performance from AMD in the latest generation. More significantly, the Zenbook achieved similar performance to the XPS 14 at less than half the price, priced at just $800 at the time of evaluation.
Dell xps 14 9440 review gaming : Graphic Test
We evaluate each Windows PC’s graphics performance using a variety of gaming simulations and benchmarks. For DirectX 12 gaming, we utilize Night Raid, suitable for laptops with integrated graphics, and Time Spy, more demanding and suitable for gaming rigs with discrete GPUs. Additionally, we run two tests from the cross-platform GPU benchmark GFXBench 5: Aztec Ruins and Car Chase, which stress both low-level and high-level graphics rendering.
The Dell XPS 14’s GeForce GPU generally outperformed its rivals’ integrated graphics in three out of four tests. However, it surprisingly struggled in Night Raid, despite efforts to optimize its performance. The victories in other tests were somewhat hollow, as the XPS 14 fell short of expectations for a laptop with discrete graphics, possibly due to its GPU being tuned to a modest 30W.
This limitation in GPU wattage and performance diminishes one of the Dell XPS 14’s key advantages as a portable laptop for creators. While it should handle tasks like photo editing well, more intense visual work such as video editing and 3D content creation may be better suited for a laptop with a higher-wattage chip.
Dell XPS 14 battery life : Battery Test
We assess each laptop’s battery life by playing a locally stored 720p video file, ensuring the display brightness is set at 50% and audio volume at 100%. The battery is fully charged before the test, with Wi-Fi and keyboard backlighting turned off.
To evaluate display performance, we utilize a Datacolor SpyderX Elite monitor calibration sensor and its Windows software to measure color saturation, indicating what percentage of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color gamuts the display can show. We also measure the display’s 50% and peak brightness in nits (candelas per square meter).
In our battery rundown test, the XPS nearly tied with the Zenbook for the win, demonstrating more than enough stamina to last through an entire workday. Although it trailed behind OLED displays in brightness, it exhibited suitable color coverage for most tasks, excluding pre-press or professional graphics work. Notably, it boasted the brightest screen among the laptops tested.
Conclusion
Absolutely, the Dell XPS 14 is a solid laptop with great battery life and an attractive design. However, when we compare it to the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch, the Zenbook offers better value for money. The Zenbook’s OLED screen provides richer colors and contrast, it’s lighter, and it comes at a significantly lower price point. Asus’ Zenbook 14X OLED is also a top choice for high-end ultraportables and is slightly cheaper. If your main focus is photo editing, the XPS 14 might still be a good fit. However, for most other creative tasks, Asus and even Apple offer more affordable options with similar performance.
