Dell XPS 14z Review

The Dell XPS 14z follows in the footsteps of its bigger brother, the XPS 15z, by combining sophisticated style with impressive speed. But this premium laptop crams a 14-inch display in a 13-inch metal chasis, making it a better option for professionals on the move. Our $1,299 configuration (it starts at $999) includes a powerful Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and Nvidia switchable graphics, a feature you won't find on the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Read on to find out if the XPS 14z is the ultimate work-and-play laptop.

Like its 15-inch cousin, the XPS 14z sports an elegant brushed-metal exterior that looks thoroughly modern. Built from anondized aluminum, the notebook's Elemental Silver chassis is both durable and stylish. A slightly raised diamond-cut Dell insignia is the only accent on the lid. The bottom of the notebook is equally lovely, showcasing elaborate grille work on the vent as well as a small XPS 14z logo.

The notebook's interior is also attractive, but the look is busier. A dark-gray magnesium alloy deck sets the stage for a plastic silver keyboard surrounded by two intricate speaker grilles that have the same old-school diaganoal latice work as the bottom vent. The aluminum display hinge has a unique coil design that neatly hides the LED, while a thin chrome strip lines both the top half of the deck and the touchpad and mouse buttons.

At 13.2 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches, the Dell XPS 14z is the thinnest 14-inch notebook with an optical drive on the market. Despite its size, the 4.4-pound notebook is lighter than both the 12.8 x 8.9 x 1-inch, 4.6-pound MacBook Pro (13-inch) and the 14 x 9.3 x 1.2-inch, 5.6-pound HP Envy 14. The Gateway ID47, which also manages to squeeze a 14-inch screen in a 13-inch body, is thicker (1.1 inches) but weighs the same as the Dell.