DELL XPS 14 9440 Laptop Review – 14.5″ OLED, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, RTX 4050
DELL XPS 14 9440 Laptop Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The DELL XPS 14 9440 is a premium ultrabook that promises to deliver exceptional performance and a stunning visual experience. Equipped with a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, a vibrant 14.5-inch 3.2K OLED display, and NVIDIA RTX 4050 graphics, this laptop aims to cater to both professionals and creatives. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the XPS 14 9440’s features, performance, and overall user experience to see if it truly lives up to its hype.
Key Features
The DELL XPS 14 9440 boasts a compelling list of features:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 155H (24MB Cache, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro, English, French, Spanish |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050, 6 GB GDDR6, 30W |
| Display | 14.5″ 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED InfinityEdge touch display |
| Memory | 32GB LPDDR5x Dual Channel at 7467MT/s |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive |
| Case | Platinum |
| Microsoft Office | Activate Your Microsoft 365 For A 30 Day Trial |
| Security Solutions | McAfee Business Protection 1-year |
| Support Service | 1Y ProSupport Next Business Day Onsite Service after remote diagnosis with HW-SW Support |
| Accidental Damage Service | None |
| Keyboard | Platinum Backlit English Keyboard with Fingerprint Reader |
| Ports | 3 Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB Type-C™) with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1 headset (headphone and microphone combo) port |
| Card Reader | 1 microSDXC card reader v6.0 UHS-I/UHS-II |
| Dimensions & Weight | Height: 0.71 in. (18.0 mm) Width: 12.6 in. (320.0 mm) Depth: 8.5 in. (216.0 mm) Starting weight: 3.7lb (1.68kg) for FHD+; 3.8lb (1.74kg) for OLED |
| Touchpad | Multi-touch gesture-enabled precision touchpad with haptic function, Seamless glass touchpad with haptics |
| Camera | 1080p at 30 fps FHD RGB-IR camera Dual-array microphones Ambient light sensor Windows Hello compliant Express Sign-In™ Intel Intelligent Collaboration |
| Audio and Speakers | Stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Quad-speaker design with 2W Main x 2 Channel + 2W Tweeter x 2 Channel; 8W total peak output Headphone and microphone combo featuring Waves Nx® 3D audio with head tracking Dual array microphone with Waves MaxxVoice supporting VoIP, Microsoft Cortana capable Dolby Atmos |
| Chassis | CNC machined aluminum with glass palm rest in platinum |
| Wireless | Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E 1675 (AX211), 2×2, 802.11ax Bluetooth® wireless card |
| Primary Battery | 6-Cell, 69.5Whr |
| Power Adapter | 100 Watt Type-C Adapter |
Performance and Benchmarks
The DELL XPS 14 9440’s Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4050 graphics deliver impressive performance. I was able to run demanding applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Blender without any significant lag. The 32GB of DDR5x RAM ensured smooth multitasking and quick app loading times. I also found the RTX 4050 graphics to be sufficient for moderate gaming. It ran popular titles like Valorant and Fortnite at decent frame rates, but for more demanding games, you might want to consider a higher-end graphics card.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Stunning 14.5-inch OLED display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
- Powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4050 graphics for excellent performance
- Comfortable keyboard with a responsive typing experience
- Excellent build quality and a sleek, premium design
- Long battery life for all-day productivity
Cons:
- Relatively high price point compared to other laptops with similar specifications
- Limited port selection, only featuring three Thunderbolt 4 ports
- The webcam, though 1080p, could benefit from better image quality and low-light performance
Final Verdict
The DELL XPS 14 9440 is a premium ultrabook that offers a compelling combination of performance, design, and portability. Its stunning OLED display, powerful processor, and comfortable keyboard make it an excellent choice for professionals, creatives, and anyone who values a premium experience. While the high price tag and limited port selection are drawbacks, the XPS 14 9440’s overall performance and features make it a worthy investment for those seeking a top-tier ultrabook.
