In the mid-premium laptop segment, users often have to choose between performance, portability, and battery life. Dell aims to strike the right balance with its Dell 14 Plus. With a premium design, long battery endurance, and modern specs, this laptop is pitched at ₹85,000 in India, targeting professionals, students, and creators.
But does it truly stand out among stiff competition from HP, ASUS, and Lenovo? Here’s find Dell 14 Plus review, sharing hands-on insights, performance checks, and practical advice for potential buyers.
Overview of the Dell 14 Plus
Dell has long been recognized for its dependable laptops, particularly in professional environments. The Dell 14 Plus is no exception. While the laptop is targeted toward the mid-premium segment, it promises to deliver a premium experience — from build quality to long battery life.
At ₹85,000, buyers expect a laptop that can handle daily office tasks, creative work, and streaming without compromises. Dell’s latest model does check several boxes, with notable features like the Intel Core Ultra processor, a 16:10 display, and AI-driven performance optimizations. In this review, I break down whether these features are enough to make it the laptop of choice for Indian users at this price.
Design and Build Quality
The Dell 14 Plus immediately stands out with its sleek aluminum chassis, giving it a premium and professional look. Unlike plastic-based laptops in the ₹80K–₹90K range, the aluminum finish not only feels sturdier but also helps in heat dissipation.
Its 1.6 kg weight and slim profile make it highly portable for students or professionals constantly on the move. The hinges are firm, allowing smooth opening and closing without wobble. Dell’s understated design appeals to those who prefer sophistication over flashy aesthetics.
When compared to competitors like the HP Envy 14, which has a slightly glossier finish, or the Lenovo Slim 7i, which emphasizes minimalism, the Dell 14 Plus strikes a balance — durable without feeling heavy, professional without being plain.
Display and Visual Experience
The 14-inch 16:10 display offers more vertical real estate, ideal for reading documents or coding. Depending on the variant, you can get a 2.2K (2240 x 1400) resolution, which produces sharp and clear visuals.
Color accuracy is decent for general tasks, and the anti-glare coating helps in bright environments, though it could still struggle under direct sunlight. Dell claims high brightness levels, but real-world testing shows around 300–350 nits, which is adequate indoors but might feel dim outdoors.
The display is excellent for streaming movies, online learning, or light photo and video editing. However, if you’re a professional editor or someone who works extensively with color grading, you might prefer laptops with OLED or higher brightness displays like the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED.
Hardware and Performance
Performance is where the Dell 14 Plus truly shines in its category. With the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 processors, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD, this laptop handles day-to-day computing with ease.
Tasks like Microsoft Office, multiple browser tabs, Zoom meetings, and casual video editing run smoothly. The integrated Intel Arc GPU allows for light photo editing and casual gaming, though heavy AAA titles will not run well.
Thermal performance is satisfactory. Under moderate workloads, the laptop stays cool, and fan noise is barely noticeable. During heavy tasks, the fans kick in but remain quieter than many competitors in the ₹85,000 range, like HP Pavilion Plus.
Battery Life and Charging
Dell promises up to 16–18 hours of battery life, and real-world usage sees 10–12 hours comfortably. This makes it suitable for professionals who spend full days at the office or students attending back-to-back classes.
The laptop supports Type-C fast charging, taking the battery from 0% to 50% in roughly 40 minutes. This is particularly useful for people who frequently work on the go. Combined with lightweight portability, the Dell 14 Plus is ideal for all-day mobility, unlike some competitors which may need mid-day charging.
Keyboard, Trackpad, and Input Devices
The typing experience is one of the highlights of this laptop. The backlit keyboard has comfortable key travel and tactile feedback, making long typing sessions enjoyable. The keyboard layout is well-spaced, reducing typing errors.
The trackpad is precise, smooth, and supports Windows gestures seamlessly. Additionally, the fingerprint reader integrated with the power button provides secure and quick login — a small but highly convenient feature. Compared to rivals, the Dell 14 Plus edges ahead in typing and trackpad comfort.
Audio, Webcam, and Connectivity Options
Audio quality is balanced, with clear mids and decent treble. While the speakers lack deep bass, they are sufficient for video calls, online lectures, and casual media consumption.
The 1080p webcam delivers clear visuals in well-lit environments and is suitable for Zoom or Teams calls. Connectivity options are robust — including USB-C with power delivery, USB-A, HDMI, microSD card slot, and standard headphone jack.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable connections for home or office setups. This range of ports makes it one of the more versatile laptops in this price segment.
Software and Features
The Dell 14 Plus comes preloaded with Windows 11 Home and Dell Optimizer. The AI-driven optimizer learns your usage patterns to enhance performance and battery efficiency automatically.
Unlike many competitors, the laptop comes with minimal bloatware, meaning users get a clean, responsive experience from day one. Productivity tools like Dell Power Manager and CinemaColor add subtle but useful functionality without overwhelming the user.
Pricing and Availability in India
The Dell 14 Plus price starts at ₹84,990, depending on the configuration. Retailers like Dell India, Flipkart, and Amazon stock it.
For the price, you get a premium build, long battery life, and reliable after-sales support — all of which matter if you plan to use the laptop for several years. Competing laptops like ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED or HP Pavilion Plus 14 may offer brighter displays or slightly faster GPUs, but Dell’s reputation for service and durable design often outweighs these advantages.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Premium aluminum build and professional design
- Long battery life for all-day usage
- Smooth everyday performance and multitasking
- Comfortable backlit keyboard and responsive trackpad
- Reliable Dell after-sales service and warranty
Cons
- Display brightness could be higher for outdoor use
- Not suitable for heavy gaming or AAA titles
- Slightly higher price compared to some OLED-equipped rivals
Dell 14 Plus is a practical investment. It’s a laptop you can rely on for years without worrying about performance dips or overheating, making it worth ₹85,000 if your priorities align with what it offers.
