"Dell attempted to kill the "XPS" brand in 2025, only to revive it this year. It also comes with a significant change: no more options for discrete graphics. Instead, the laptop uses Intel's new Panther Lake chips, which also have a lot to prove. I was able to test two configurations of the Dell XPS 14 to see how performance scales across price points, and I came away impressed by what these machines could achieve."
"XPS has always been design-forward, but the brand has started pushing the envelope over the last few years. The 2024 model introduced a stunning but controversial design that replaced the row of function keys with a line of light-up touch buttons. The buttons were futuristic and neat, but not the easiest to actually use. The same was true of the invisible haptic feedback trackpad. It was gorgeous and minimalist, but not very practical."
"The new Dell XPS 14 keeps much of the more adventurous and sleek design elements, but dials back the ones that created the most uproar. The laptop now has a standard row of function keys (yay!), as well as subtle divider lines for the trackpad. These lines are a particularly smart inclusion, as your finger will bump up against them but they don't detract from the overall look. It still uses a haptic feedback mechanism to artificially generate the feeling"
The 2026 Dell XPS 14 revives the XPS name and eliminates discrete graphics entirely, relying on Intel’s new Panther Lake integrated GPUs. The design refines previous bold choices by restoring a standard function row and adding subtle trackpad divider lines while retaining haptic feedback. Two tested configurations show strong integrated GPU performance that can negate the need for discrete graphics, though base configuration and chip performance are not optimal. The laptop offers thin, light construction, high build quality, OLED display, and a 4K webcam. Pricing is high, but the improvements make the XPS 14 a compelling premium ultraportable.
Read at WIRED
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