The Dell XPS 14 9440 with Intel Core Ultra 7 delivers strong performance and excellent portability, making it ideal for professionals who need power on the go. PCMag praised its battery life and design, while YouTube reviewer Turbo Tech noted the fast LPDDR5x RAM and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. However, the IPS display is a downgrade compared to OLED options, and the non-upgradeable RAM limits future flexibility. This laptop suits users seeking a Windows alternative to MacBook Pro for creative work.
Full review
Display quality and resolution
The Dell XPS 14 9440 offers two display options, with the OLED variant delivering exceptional visual performance. Laptop Mag reported that the 14.5-inch 3.2K OLED display provides 'vibrant and gorgeous' visuals with fast, reliable performance and a hyper-modern design. The display features a 3,200 x 2,000 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and supports DisplayHDR 500. Hitech Century noted that the OLED panel delivers '400-nits' brightness and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. The display is touch-enabled and includes anti-reflective coating. However, PCMag's Eric Grevstad found the display panel to be 'dim' in comparison to other premium laptops, suggesting that while the OLED quality is excellent, it may not reach peak brightness levels expected from high-end displays. The FHD+ IPS LCD option provides 1,920 x 1,200 resolution with 500-nits brightness and 100% sRGB coverage, but lacks the color depth and contrast of the OLED version.
Performance benchmarks and graphics
The XPS 14 9440 demonstrates strong performance across various benchmarks, with PCMag's Eric Grevstad noting that the laptop 'starts at $1,699' with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and integrated Arc graphics. The laptop's performance is enhanced by the optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM, which allows for content creation and gaming tasks. The system's 32GB of LPDDR5-7467 memory and 1TB SSD storage provide excellent multitasking capabilities and fast data access. The RTX 4050 enables the laptop to handle demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering, while the integrated Arc graphics suffice for everyday productivity tasks.
Design and build quality
The XPS 14 9440 features a premium all-metal chassis with an elegant design that appeals to corporate users. Hitech Century described the laptop as having 'an all-metal chassis that won’t look out of place in any boardroom' and noted that the Platinum finish 'repels fingerprints nicely.' The laptop's design includes a glass touchpad integrated into the palm rest, a minimalist approach to the function keys, and a short-stroke keyboard with partially haptic keys. Laptop Mag's Madeline Ricchiuto praised the 'hyper-modern design' but noted that the 'large keys with minimal space between them' could be challenging for some users. The laptop weighs 3.8 pounds and measures 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.71 inches, making it slightly heavier than the 13-inch XPS 13 models but lighter than the larger XPS 16. The hinge design limits the screen opening to approximately 120 degrees, which may affect usability for some users.
Portability and connectivity
Despite its premium features, the XPS 14 9440's portability is somewhat compromised by its weight and lack of traditional ports. The laptop's weight ranges from 3.7 to 3.8 pounds depending on configuration, with the OLED model being slightly heavier. Laptop Media's review noted that the device is 'compact but full of useful features like an IR camera, MicroSD card slot, optional fingerprint reader, and vPro CPUs.' However, the absence of USB-A or HDMI ports requires users to rely on a dongle for connectivity, which Hitech Century found to be 'a bit of a disappointment.' The laptop features three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with the base model lacking Wi-Fi 7 support compared to the smaller XPS 13 9340. The laptop also includes a fingerprint reader in the power button for Windows Hello authentication.
Battery life and power management
Battery performance is a notable aspect of the XPS 14 9440, with PCMag's Eric Grevstad reporting that the laptop offers 'decent battery life' and that the base configuration includes a 69.5Wh battery. Hitech Century's testing revealed that the laptop achieved 5 hours and 36 minutes of work battery life, which is considered 'decent' for a laptop with such powerful internals. The laptop supports quick charging with either a 60W or 100W USB-C charger, and the 60W charger is included in the box. Laptop Media's review highlighted that the battery life is 'all-day' for typical usage, with the larger 70Wh battery in the base configuration providing extended usage. The laptop's power management is optimized for productivity tasks, though the integrated Arc graphics and optional RTX 4050 graphics may impact battery longevity during intensive usage.
Audio and webcam performance
Audio quality in the XPS 14 9440 is well-regarded, with Laptop Mag's Madeline Ricchiuto noting that the laptop offers 'impressively loud audio' with quad up-firing speakers. The laptop includes dual-mic array for clear audio capture and a 10W speaker system. However, the webcam performance is criticized in multiple reviews, with Laptop Mag pointing out that the 'grainy webcam' is a significant drawback. Hitech Century's review noted that the webcam lacks a privacy shutter, which is increasingly important in today's privacy-conscious environment. The webcam supports Windows Hello face recognition and includes an IR camera for low-light conditions. The laptop also features a backlit keyboard with capacitive top row and a fingerprint reader for secure authentication, though the keyboard's soft, shallow keys may not appeal to all users.
Premium performance justifies the high price tag
The Dell XPS 14 9440 is positioned as a premium ultraportable laptop with strong performance capabilities, though it comes at a substantial price point. PCMag's Eric Grevstad noted that the laptop starts at $1,699, with the OLED model priced at $2,699, and that the 'XPS 14's benefits outweigh its drawbacks enough to make it onto our best laptops list.' Hitech Century's field testing concluded that the laptop 'is worth its substantial asking price' due to its powerful performance and premium build quality. However, the lack of USB-A or HDMI ports and the grainy webcam are significant drawbacks that may deter some buyers. The laptop competes with other premium ultraportables like the XPS 16 9640 and XPS 15 9530, offering a more compact form factor while maintaining similar features. The XPS 14 9440's value proposition lies in its balance of performance, design, and portability, though users should weigh the drawbacks against their specific needs.
Strengths
- +Powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor for demanding tasks
- +Excellent battery life for a high-performance laptop
- +Thunderbolt 4 ports on both sides for versatile connectivity
- +Compact and portable design with 60W charger included
- +LPDDR5x RAM for fast performance, though soldered to motherboard
Watch-outs
- −RAM is hard-soldered and cannot be upgraded
- −Lack of essential ports
How it compares
The Dell XPS 14 9440 excels in portability and connectivity with its Thunderbolt 4 ports and compact design, unlike the LG Gram 16 which lacks such versatility. However, it falls short in display quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14 and lacks the battery longevity of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3.
Rating sources
Our 3.8 score is the average of the 5 scored reviews above; 3 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. More about methodology.
