Dell XPS 14 (2026)

The Dell XPS 14 (2026) marks a welcome return for the classic XPS branding, bringing Intel's Panther Lake Core Ultra architecture into a sleek, CNC-machined aluminum chassis. Aimed at professionals and power users looking for a high-end ultraportable, this generation improves upon past missteps by restoring a physical function row and adding clear boundary lines to the haptic trackpad. The highlight of the package is a breathtaking 14-inch tandem HDR OLED touch display running at 120Hz, paired with robust integrated graphics that punch well above their weight.

Under the hood, the Core Ultra X7 358H paired with high-speed LPDDR5X memory delivers genuinely impressive processing power and surprisingly capable gaming chops via its Intel Arc B390 graphics, managing modern titles at respectable frame rates with upscaling. Battery life is nothing short of phenomenal, sailing past the 21-hour mark in testing to set a new benchmark for endurance in this class. However, the machine is not without flaws: port selection is strictly limited to Thunderbolt connections with no legacy USB-A or HDMI ports, pricing on premium configurations is steep, and the gapless keyboard design with its shallow 0.8mm key travel has proven divisive among reviewers.