New Dell XPS 14z Now Available

Dell has released the new XPS 14z 14” laptop in their XPS performance lineup.  The XPS 14z L412Z is not cheap, it starts at $999, but it does have the right size and build quality to fit the needs of a student laptop.  Dell is claiming the XPS 14z as being the world’s thinnest fully featured laptop as it features a built-in DVD player, optional dedicated graphics, and 0.9” thin form factor.  The body is about the size of a standard 13” screen laptop but sports a generous sized 14” screen, a virtually borderless screen is used to achieve the smaller size than average for a 14” laptop.  Here are the full specs for the Dell XPS 14z (model L412Z) laptop:

• Processor Options




• Intel Core i5-2430M 2.40 GHz


• Intel Core i7-2640M 2.80 GHz


• Screen: 14.0" Hi-Def (720p) True Life WLED Display


• Chipset: Intel HM67


• Graphic Card Options:




• Intel HD Graphics 3000


• NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M 1GB graphics with Optimus


• Memory: up to 8GB DDR3 1333MHz


• Storage Options:




• Up to 750GB SATA hard drive (7200RPM)


• Up to 256GB Solid State hard drive


• Web Camera: 1.3MP Hi-Def Webcam


• Ports: HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet RJ-45, headphone, microphone, 1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, 7-in-1 media card reader


• Weight: 4.3lbs


• Wireless: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 802.11 agn (2x2), Bluetooth 3.0, Intel Wi-Di


• Dimensions: 0.9” x 13.9” x 9.21” (Thickness x Width x Depth)


• Battery: 8-Cell Prismatic (58WHr, 2.0AHr)


• Optical Drive: Slot load 8x DVD +/- RW (reads & writes to CD/DVD) (9.5mm)

Battery life for the XPS 14z is between 5 and 6 hours depending on usage, which is very good for a 14” laptop and should see you through most of your classes in a day.  There is no option for a larger battery as the battery for the XPS 14z is sealed inside, just like the MacBook Pro.  The sealed battery is a bit of a downer in my opinion, the other knock on the XPS 14z is that the screen is only 1366 x 768 and you have no option to upgrade to a higher resolution.  This is disappointing on a high end laptop that you pay over $1,000 for.

On the plus side getting a dedicated Nvidia GT 520M graphics card in the XPS 14z thin frame is a very nice feature.  You can do some gaming with the GT 520M graphics card, and even play some of the latest games on medium settings.  Couple that with an Intel Core i7 processor and you’ll have a real performance powerhouse.

As you can see by the images of the XPS 14z it’s got a nice design.  The borderless screen is a real eye catcher and the industrial look, a la MacBook Pro, is nice.  The slot loading drive will appeal to many people, the only option there is for a DVD burner, no Blu-Ray.  The keyboard has a unique design, it is chiclet style, the XPS 14z also has a backlit keyboard, something that you’d expect and want on a premium laptop of this price.



If you’re looking for a unique laptop with great performance and design and are willing to pay the price, the XPS 14z could be a good option for you.  You can visit Dell.com to see more video and current pricing for the XPS 14z.  If the price is a little to high for you, the Inspiron 14z we recently reviewed is another thin and light 14” laptop from Dell that we like.