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For much of 2026, I believed HP controlled the midrange laptop segment. Over the past year, the firm launched several strong budget notebooks, including the OmniBook 7 and OmniBook 3. I nearly concluded the competition had ended. Then the new Dell 14S arrived and shifted my view. HP now faces serious rivalry.

Also: The best Dell laptops of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The Dell 14S avoids radical changes. Instead, it masters core elements. The machine blends a refined, light chassis with steady components, remarkable battery duration, and one of the strongest OLED panels available at this cost. The outcome is a productivity device that feels high-end despite its price. As laptop costs rise, this model delivers the value many seek.

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Looking cool

I appreciate the laptop's appearance. It is a slim, light device finished entirely in Celestial Blue - at least the unit I tested. The shade varies with lighting conditions. You can observe this in the image below. Under strong outdoor light, the Dell 14S appears as a deep midnight blue, yet under softer indoor light it reads as dark gray.

Raise the lid and the keyboard area matches the same tone, yielding a unified look. Pair the hue with rounded corners and soft edges, and the shape echoes an Apple MacBook. Looking down, the touchpad sits slightly offset to the right. This placement allows comfortable left-hand cursor control. I tested right-hand use and found it tighter due to reduced wrist space. The choice is not a major issue, but buyers should note it.

Also: The 5 laptop features worth paying extra for, plus 3 you can ignore

I do have minor design complaints. While I enjoy the Celestial blue finish, it attracts fingerprints readily. The surface marks easily. I also wish the lid included a small lip or notch. The Dell 14S weight is balanced, so it passes the one-finger test. I can open the lid without the base shifting. Yet securing a grip proves tricky because the edges are so smooth that I had to steady the base first.

Vibrant screen

The Dell 14S shows why display software matters. On paper the panel specs appear modest, yet helpful features lift what might have been ordinary to excellent.

The laptop features a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200 pixel) screen at 60Hz. Neither figure stands out in 2026, but Full HD+ suffices. Enlarged high-resolution images keep quality, though they lack the sharpness of premium displays. The refresh rate works for routine tasks but misses the fluidity of superior panels. Peak brightness reaches only 300 nits, limiting visibility in bright settings. The glossy surface adds to reflection problems.

Also: I'm recommending this 14-inch HP laptop to almost everyone in 2026 - even with the RAM crisis

I struggled to photograph the Dell 14S because the glass reflected so much light. Many shots captured windows or my face.

Still, positives outweigh drawbacks. The Dell 14S includes a 14-inch OLED panel that covers the full DCI-P3 gamut and supports Dolby Vision. Together these elements produce fine visuals. OLED delivers strong contrast while Dolby Vision keeps colors natural. Web content, films, and videos appear excellent. Like other Dell models, it includes ComfortView Plus to cut blue light and ease eye strain.

Performance

My test unit included an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, placing it in the midrange. To gauge its ability, I compared the Dell 14S with similar laptops in the same price and performance range. I focused on systems buyers might consider alongside it. Against those rivals, the 14S performs well, offering strong results at a lower cost.

Here the Dell 14S excels: it supplies steady performance without high expense. The device responds quickly, waking at once when opened. I used it while drafting an article comparing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Razr Fold, connected to an external monitor. With many browser tabs, background music, and several apps open (including WPS Office), it stayed smooth without lag. The CPU handled photo edits well in GIMP on high-resolution images.

The laptop maintains output during long sessions without heavy throttling - provided the workload stays light. Dell's model has limits. It warmed noticeably during benchmarks and 4K video editing. The keyboard grew hot to the touch. Yet average users are unlikely to encounter overheating in everyday work.

Also: Lenovo vs. Dell: I've tested both laptop brands for years, and here's my preference

Battery life stands out. For the first time in memory, a Dell laptop matches the endurance of recent HP models. Dell units usually reach about 18 hours, yet trail HP models that exceed 20 hours. The Dell 14S alters this, lasting roughly 22 hours on one charge. Such stamina suits commuters, students, and professionals needing all-day use.

ZDNET's buying advice

Prices for the Dell 14S begin at $1,000 for the entry model, with many configuration choices. My review unit costs $1,469. Among Windows laptops, I consider this one of the strongest values. The device is reliable, features a refined design, and delivers exceptional battery life.

Does the Dell 14S offer the best value overall? No, that title belongs to the MacBook Neo (for now). Though not as powerful as the 14S, it comes close in speed and costs less. The 2026 Dell XPS 13 is another choice, serving as Dell's answer to the Neo. It gives up a bit of power yet retains solid Dell construction at a competitive $699 price.