Dell is expanding its mid-range lineup with the Dell 14S (model DS14270), a 14-inch laptop that challenges Apple’s MacBook Neo through an unusual angle: an emphasis on color options and expanded connectivity. The new machine follows the company’s earlier XPS 13, which launched at EUR 603 with a premium screen and lightweight build, and continues Dell’s push into accessible computing for students, young professionals, and budget-conscious buyers.
Color as the Central Design Story
The Dell 14S arrives in four finishes: linen (a light gold), dusty rose (a subtle pink), washed denim (a light sky blue), and velvet green (a barely-there teal). “Color is not simply a finishing touch on the Dell 14S,” said Matt McGowan, Dell’s head of product, in a briefing ahead of the announcement. “It is the design story.”
The laptop is built from aluminum and starts at 2.65 pounds (1.15 kg). It measures 0.48 inches (12.21 mm) at its thinnest point and 0.58 inches (13.5 mm) at its thickest. Buyers can configure it with an Intel Core 5 350 or Core 7 350 processor paired with integrated Intel Graphics, along with 8GB or 16GB of soldered LPDDR5x-7647 memory and up to 1TB of M.2 PCIe SSD storage.
Ports, Display, and Battery Options
One of the biggest differences from the XPS 13 is connectivity. The Dell 14S includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (10 Gbps), an HDMI 1.4 output, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. By comparison, the XPS 13 offers only a pair of USB-C ports. The tradeoff is in wireless standards: the 14S relies on the older Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4, while the XPS 13 supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Display choices further blur the line between the two systems. The base panel is a 14-inch, non-touch 1920 x 1200 screen running at 60 Hz with 300 nits of brightness, which sits below the XPS 13’s display. However, the upgraded option, a 2880 x 1800 panel at 120 Hz and 450 nits, actually surpasses the XPS 13.
Power comes from a 61.2 WHr battery, and Dell says the 14S is the first laptop to offer an optional 750 ED PNCM battery, a cell designed to run cooler and discharge more slowly. McGowan claimed the system can deliver up to 21 hours of Netflix streaming. Additional specifications include an optional IR webcam for Windows Hello support and a 2MP camera.
Availability and Pricing
The Dell 14S is scheduled to launch in fall 2026. Dell has not yet confirmed a price but says details will arrive closer to release. McGowan indicated the machine will be “priced complimentary to the XPS 13,” which currently starts at EUR 603.
Source
Image: tomshardware.com
