Dell XPS 14 (Intel Core Ultra)
Verdict
A premium, minimalist Windows laptop integrating native NPU hardware and optional dedicated graphics.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Premium minimalist design
- Dedicated RTX graphics option
- Solid Intel NPU integration
Cons
- Invisible haptic trackpad has a learning curve
- Thermal throttling under heavy GPU load
Specifications
| NPU | Intel AI Boost (10 TOPS) |
|---|---|
| RAM | Up to 64GB LPDDR5x |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, microSD, Headphone jack |
| Weight | 1.68 kg |
| Display | 14.5" 3.2K OLED Touch |
| Storage | Up to 4TB PCIe Gen4 SSD |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Editorial note
The XPS 14 balances aesthetic minimalism with raw x86 power. The inclusion of Intel's Core Ultra brings native NPU hardware to the Windows ecosystem, though the thermal constraints of the beautiful aluminum chassis prevent the optional RTX GPU from reaching its full potential.
In-Depth Review
The XPS 14 pairs aesthetic minimalism with x86 power, and the Core Ultra 7 155H brings a native 10 TOPS NPU to a chassis that looks like it belongs next to a MacBook. The 14.5" 3.2K OLED touch panel is the highlight, and up to 64GB of LPDDR5x plus an optional dedicated RTX GPU make it a light creative machine rather than just a thin-and-light.
Where the design fights the spec
The beautiful aluminium chassis is a thermal constraint. Under heavy GPU load the optional RTX cannot hold its full clocks, so treat the dedicated graphics as "occasional CUDA and light rendering," not "mobile workstation." The invisible haptic trackpad and capacitive function row are polarising and take real time to adjust to.
The trade-offs
- 10 TOPS NPU is below the Copilot+ threshold that Snapdragon and newer Intel parts clear — some on-device AI features run in a reduced mode or not at all.
- Thermal throttling caps sustained GPU work.
- No price advantage over rivals for the raw performance you get.
Who should buy
Windows users who want a MacBook-like object and will mostly do CPU-bound work, plus light creators who need occasional CUDA. Heavy or sustained GPU workloads want a thicker chassis.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Alternatives to consider
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