2026 Dell XPS 14 fixes some of the biggest complaints about the series

When Dell introduced the revised XPS 13 design in 2022, the changes to the chassis were so significant that they arguably alienated the core XPS fanbase. The touch-sensitive keys, zero-lattice keyboard, "invisible" haptic clickpad, and thinner profile made the 2022 XPS 13 feel less rigid, more difficult to use, and more prone to damage than earlier models.

For 2026, the latest XPS 14 is a wholly new exterior that takes the best aesthetic qualities of the 2022 design while massively improving upon usability and rigidity. The keyboard and clickpad in particular have been revised to appear more traditional while the front edge is no longer tapered for a stronger build. Even more significant are all the internal changes as the motherboard is now upside down when compared to most other laptops and so the fan, SSD, and battery are only accessible when removing the keyboard deck or C cover.

Webcam quality has also been improved to 8 MP as previous XPS 13/14 models were limited to 1080p or lower. Competing models like the HP EliteBook X G1i or Lenovo Yoga have been coming standard with 5 MP or greater webcams for quite some time and so Dell has finally caught up in this regard. A physical shutter is nevertheless still absent on the Dell.

The changes may sound trivial on paper, but they are tangible in person and enough of a difference for us to wholly recommend the 2026 model over the previous generation XPS 14 or XPS 13 series. In contrast, the backlash against the 2022 to 2025 design arguably made the tried-and-true 2021 or earlier designs more desirable to longtime XPS fans.

Check out our full review on the 2026 XPS 14 for more benchmarks and comparisons.