The Dell XPS 14 laptop offers what artists and designers need

Published Nov 13, 2026, 10:15 AM EST The below articles are sponsored by one of our partners. Product choices and opinions expressed are from the sponsor and do not reflect the views of the How-to Geek editorial staff. Back in 2025, Dell had decided to retire the XPS branding for its laptops, instead calling the former line simply ‘Dell’ or ‘Dell Premium’ laptops. However, earlier this year, the company decided to bring the popular brand back, and the new Dell XPS 13, XPS 14, and XPS 16 have the hardware and software we’ve come to enjoy under the familiar name. Previously sold as the Dell Premium 14, the 2026 Dell XPS 14 strikes a balance between the XPS 13 and XPS 16 in terms of specs and hardware, and as such, it’s a great option for artists and designers looking for a creative-focused Windows laptop. Credit: Intel/Microsoft A screen that’s perfect for art and design work Dell XPS 14 (2026) Brand Dell Operating System Windows 11 Home CPU Series 3 Intel Core Ultra GPU Intel Graphics or Intel Arc Graphics RAM Up to 64GB LPDDR5x Storage Up to 4TB PCle SSD With a 16:10 14-inch screen, fantastic battery life, and Windows 11, the Dell XPS 14 is a fantastic choice for artists, designers, and students alike. Battery 3Cell, 70Whr Display (Size, Resolution) 14-inch 2.8K OLED InfinityEdge display Camera 8MP/4K HDR webcam When it comes to creating art on any sort of computer, there are specific specs you need to keep in mind. It’s about far more than having the tools and the applications to work with — the screen itself must be fine-tuned so you can create works that’ll look accurate and exactly the way you want them. The XPS 14 has two display options — the standard 2K LCD and an upgraded 2.8K OLED touchscreen — and both will help your work shine exactly the way you want it to. Both have 14-inch screens with a 16:10 aspect ratio, so you’ll have plenty of screen space before needing to zoom out or scroll. A touchscreen is especially useful for detail work. Windows 11 flexibility Apple’s line of MacBooks might be highly loved by designers, but using macOS locks you into a closed operating system that can make it difficult to work around. If Apple doesn’t support a specific application you need to get the job done, you’ll have to do a lot of tedious workarounds to get it to function on your MacBook, if it’ll even work at all. The Dell XPS 14 runs Windows 11, so anything you need to use will just work. Windows is the operating system that will always have the most apps available, and you’ll almost always have access to everything you need. There’s no need to make a Windows app work on your MacBook or need to work from a Windows desktop — this Dell laptop can handle whatever you need from the jump. The XPS 14 will last all day If your laptop is having trouble making it through the workday or school day without a charge, that won’t be the case with the XPS 14. On the 2K LCD screen, the XPS 14 lasts up to 31 hours — long enough for the average workday and then some. If you’re the type to forget to charge your devices overnight, the extra power will also help you out. Twenty hours of charge exceeds the MacBook Air M5 line, which has up to 18 hours of battery life, according to Apple. Add in the flexibility of Microsoft’s operating system, and you have a very compelling reason to look toward the XPS 14 as your new laptop. Customized to your needs Credit: Dell With the Dell XPS 14, you’re not locked into one set of specifications. You can upgrade what you need and leave the rest at standard, saving you money while getting exactly the device you need to work. Other than the screen upgrade mentioned above, you can add up to 64GB of RAM, up to 4TB in PCIe SSD storage, and even upgrade the Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3 Processor if you need more power. With this amount of flexibility, you don’t need to worry about lacking the speed or power to get your jobs or schoolwork done. Sometimes, it’s the little things Credit: Dell All of the above are, of course, big features and specs that help the XPS 14 stand out, but sometimes, it’s the small upgrades that can be the true sellers. For example, all XPS 14 models come with a backlit keyboard. This doesn’t sound like a big deal until you use a laptop without one. It’s really annoying to use a laptop in a slightly darkened room without a backlight, even if you’re well-trained in touch typing. Sure, it’s not critical if your laptop is missing it, but it’s a common enough feature that it’s jarring when some laptops lack it. The number of ports available on the Dell XPS 14 is another positive point. With three Thunderbolt 4 ports and the ability to charge the laptop from either side, you’ll have an easier time connecting it to desktop screens or other devices than most of the competition. How does the XPS 14 compare? You don’t need to take our word for it. Check out how the XPS 14 stacks up to the competition below: Dell XPS 14 (2026)Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)Surface Laptop 2024 (13.8-inch) TouchscreenBrandDellAppleMicrosoftOperating SystemWindows 11 HomemacOSWindows 11CPUSeries 3 Intel Core UltraApple Silicon M5Snapdragon X Plus (10 core)StorageUp to 4TB PCle SSD512GB512GBBattery3Cell, 70WhrUp to 18 hoursUp to 20 hoursDisplay (Size, Resolution)14-inch 2.8K OLED InfinityEdge display13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display13.8 inches, 2304 x 1536 PixelSense TouchscreenRAMUp to 64GB LPDDR5x16GB16GB LPDDR5X Support your creativity with the Dell XPS 14 When it comes to creative work, the Dell XPS 14 offers many features other Windows laptops can’t, and even stands toe-to-toe with the ever-popular MacBook line. If you’re looking for a creative-focused laptop that can handle it all, don’t count the XPS 14 out.