Dell XPS 14z
Specifications

Price comparison
Average of 22 scores (from 32 reviews)
Reviews for the Dell XPS 14z
Beauty hurts. The first steps towards a stronger design were made with the XPS 15z, and now the more compact 14-inch version is the logical progression. Like its larger brother, the Dell XPS 14z hopes to win over the hearts of customers with its good looks. It also has solid hardware, but that’s by the by...
Source: Notebooks.com
Archive.org versionThe Dell XPS 14z won’t replace a MacBook Pro, but it is decent alternative for creatives on a budget. The low screen resolution and the unimpressive keyboard are a reason to look at alternatives like the HP ProBook 5330m which offers a better typing experience, though no optical drive. If you spend more time in Photoshop and movie editing tools than writing papers and emails, the Dell XPS 14z is a notebook you should seriously consider, especially with a $799 starting price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/01/2012
Source: Tech2.in.com
Archive.org versionAt Rs.78,900, the Dell XPS 14z is quite an expensive 14-inch notebook, but then it does justify that price, to an extent. The price jump seems to be related to the 3-year warranty that comes as standard. Also, the notebook packs an impeccable build and finish and the attention to detail is pretty darn good. More importantly, it feels like a premium product and it also has the goods to back it up. If portability and style is your criteria, then the XPS 14z is a good buy. However, just keep in mind that you’ll have to compromise on the lack of USB 3.0, a non –removable battery and the fact that you’re pretty much stuck to the two configurations that Dell have whipped up.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/04/2012
Rating: Total score: 65%
Source: Kitguru
Archive.org versionWhether you like them or not, almost everyone agrees that Apple have been consistently creating some of the most beautiful laptop computers for many years. Dell are keen to showcase that they have the engineering prowess to compete with Apple and today we are looking at their XPS 14z, a slim laptop built around a beautiful aluminum/magnesium chassis which fits a 14 inch screen into a 13 inch chassis. Our particular review sample costs £999 inc vat.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/23/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Reg Hardware
Archive.org versionThe Dell XPS 14z has one or two rough edges, but for the most part it’s very neatly designed and provides good, strong performance at a competitive price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/12/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: PC Pro
Archive.org versionA powerful, portable and handsome-looking system that won’t break the bank.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/04/2011
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 83% performance: 83% features: 83% ergonomy: 83%
Source: Good Gear Guide
Archive.org versionThe Dell XPS 14z offers a fantastic mix of performance, mobility and strong build quality for a reasonable cost. If it had a better keyboard and touchpad, the XPS 14z would be at least a 4-star notebook. It offers great performance and features for its size and price point, making it suitable for anyone who wants plenty of power and convenience in a unit that's also very mobile.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/04/2011
Rating: Total score: 75%
Source: Trusted Reviews
Archive.org versionBeautifully built and offering good usability, the all-metal, milled-aluminium XPS 14z gives you style and power in a relatively compact package, including enough grunt for light gaming. One of its standout features is that it manages to fit a 14in screen into the equivalent of a 13in chassis, but unfortunately the screen itself is distinctly average. This, combined with awkward rear-only connections and mediocre battery life, mean it’s worth considering for its strengths but not an automatic must-buy.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/03/2011
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 80% performance: 80% features: 70% mobility: 70% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Techradar
Archive.org versionThe XPS 14z is a more compact ultraportable version of one of the best laptops of 2011. While it isn't quite as technically impressive, it's still an excellent machine that can keep you entertained and productive on the move.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: PC Mag
Archive.org versionAmong mainstream laptops, the Dell XPS 14z offers better components and better performance than most competitors, with an Intel Core i7 processor, switchable Nvidia graphics, and a spacious 750GB hard drive. Though it falters a bit on battery life, the attractive compact design and oh-so-comfortable keyboard gives other premium systems a run for their money. On the flipside, the $1,299 premium may be too steep for some customers, who might prefer the Editors' Choice Dell Inspiron 14z (Core i5), which offers solid mainstream performance without the luxury-class price tag.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: CNet
Archive.org versionIf the name didn't give you a clue, the Dell XPS 14z laptop is the little brother of the XPS 15z. It knocks an inch off the screen size but still offers decent performance with a sturdy metal case. The Dell XPS 14z offers decent performance for general computing tasks with a bag-friendly design and sturdy construction. If you're a gaming fan, or need a lot of ports, it won't appeal as much.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: CNet
Archive.org versionDell's XPS line of laptops has survived a few purges of the Dell rolls (Studio, Adamo, and so on) to become the company's flagship premium brand, akin to the Apple MacBook or HP Envy. The Dell XPS 14z is a nicely designed, well-built 14-inch laptop, but the XPS "z" design works better on the 15-inch version, leaving this model feeling chunky.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% mobility: 60%
Source: AnandTech
Archive.org versionThere’s a lot to like about Dell’s 14z, including an attractive design, reasonable performance and pricing, and a better build quality than many consumer notebooks. It won’t rival the enterprise class business notebooks for build quality, but it’s quite a bit lighter than most of those and is still a healthy step up from the mostly-plastic budget laptops.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Source: Hardware Zone
Archive.org versionHaving used a couple of Dell 14" systems recently (the M14x and Inspiron 14z) we had become big fans of the form factor. Machines of this size offer the option of including performance hardware in a chassis which is noticeably more portable than the 15"+ models which are next up in the laptop market.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 90% performance: 90% workmanship: 100%
Source: Engadget
Archive.org versionWe like the XPS 14z, but perhaps not for all of the reasons Dell is advertising. For all its embellishments, this doesn't feel like a premium laptop, and its performance doesn't put it ahead of the pack either. Finally, it's also one of the worst bloatware offenders we've seen in some time. Still, the XPS 14z is worth considering, but for a less glamorous reason than Dell intended: it's simply comfortable to use.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Source: Pocket Lint
Archive.org versionThe Dell XPS 14z is encased in aluminium and feels great to the touch. It is compact, with a 14-inch 1366 x 768 resolution display, but the casing is closer to a 13-inch notebook. We put it alongside a 13-inch MacBook Pro and found the chassis dimensions to be similar, but the screen is slightly larger naturally.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/10/2011
Source: Computer Shopper
Archive.org versionIt takes more than fancy tattoos and a cool haircut to be a rock star—you need to have the complete package. The thinnest 14-inch notebook ever, the XPS 14z offers up strong performance and a gorgeous design. Mobile professionals who demand a stylish, powerful PC should shortlist this one.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/01/2011
Rating: Total score: 92%
Source: Home Electronic - 2/12

Sehr positiv fallen die Optik und die Verarbeitung auf. Das Gehäuse, bestehend aus Aluminiumteilen, ist unempfindlich gegen Fingerabdrücke. Alle Teile sind präzise verschraubt, nichts klappert oder sitzt schief. Dank beleuchteter Tastatur kann man mit dem Rechner auch im schummrigen Licht arbeiten. Die Druckpunkte der Tasten könnten jedoch präziser sein.
Positive: optics, workmanship, keyboard with backlight; negative: unprecise keys
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 02/01/2012
Foreign Reviews
Source: ZDNet
DE→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/22/2011
Rating: Total score: 72% performance: 70% features: 70% mobility: 70% ergonomy: 70%
Source: Onlinekosten.de
DE→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/14/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 87% features: 80% display: 87% mobility: 78% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Notebookjournal
DE→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/02/2011
Rating: performance: 90% features: 30% display: 30% mobility: 50% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50%
Source: Notebookinfo
DE→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/25/2011
Rating: Total score: 91% performance: 95% display: 75% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 100% emissions: 92%
Source: Notebookcheck
DE→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 81% display: 67% mobility: 86% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 86% emissions: 81%
Source: PC Actual
ES→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/20/2012
Rating: Total score: 85% price: 86%
Source: Erenumerique
FR→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/10/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: 01Net
FR→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/18/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: 01Net
FR→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: F1CD
RU→EN Archive.org versionPositive: Good performance; Bright display; Interesting design; Not bad sound system. Negative: Significant was found.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/17/2012
Source: Hi-Tech Mail
RU→EN Archive.org versionhot with load, suited for a few games, not as thin as Ultrabooks
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/03/2011
Source: Notebook.cz
CZ→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/23/2012
Source: PC Online.com.cn
zh-CN→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/28/2011
Source: PC Online.com.cn
zh-CN→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/30/2011
Source: Laptopworld.dk
DA→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/20/2011
Rating: Total score: 60%
Comment
Series:
The dell XPS 14Z was released at a time in which the utrabooks were said to replace current laptops. Yet it manages to slot itself perfectly into the regular, high-end laptop category. The XPS itself is a premium category under Dell for its regular home users. Hence there is nothing less in this laptop’s specs. The XPS 14Z comes with Intel’s i5 or i7 processor and can be fitted with 8gb of RAM. It’s also quite thin for a full featured laptop and has a unique design allowing the space at the sides of the screen to be very minimal. This means that the 14 inch laptop is actually 14 inch.
With a very long battery life, a backlit keyboard, a very good display and a slot in DVD drive, the Dell XPS 14Z beats many other laptops which are in the same price range both in functionality and styling. The only problem with the 14Z is the lack of available ports. It comes with one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 port. Also, the HDMI port has been replaced with the newer Display-Port. It is harder to connect to a external monitor via the display port unless you’re using one of Dell’s professional monitors. Otherwise, you will be forced to get a DP-HDMI converter which is quite rare.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M: Entry level graphics card based on the new GF119 chip with a 64 Bit memory bus or on the GF108 with 128 Bit memory bus but lower clock rates.
Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
2410M:
Dual-core processor based on the Sandy Bridge architecture with an integrated graphics card and dual-channel DDR3 memory controller. The CPU is clocked at 2.3 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.6-2.9 GHz) and the GPU at 650 (1200 MHz Turbo).
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.