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Dell has announced that its new Dell Plus portfolio of laptops is now on sale, including the Dell 14 Plus, Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1, Dell 16 Plus and Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1.
All the new laptops are based on Intel’s Core 200V range of processors, which means support for Microsoft Copilot+ PC AI features.
This follows Dell’s CES announcement that it would be rebranding its laptops, PCs and peripherals into three product categories: Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max.
“Our new simplified branding makes choosing the right technology easier,” said Kevin Terwilliger, VP and General Manager of Dell’s Product Management Group at a pre-briefing event.
“We’ve gone from eight product categories down to just three, removing the guesswork [and] making shopping for a PC straightforward,” he said. “We even have a consistent approach to tiering to help customers hone in on the exact device for their specific needs.”
| Category | Target audience | Previous equivalent laptop brands |
| Dell | Consumer, SMB | Inspiron, XPS |
| Dell Pro | SMB, Commercial | XPS, Latitude |
| Dell Pro Max | Performance | Precision |
You may notice a distinct absence of Dell Plus in that list of three categories, with Terwilliger explaining that it’s an indication of quality.
“Above and beyond the starting point is the Plus tier,” he said. “That’s a step up and the most scalable performance.”
But if you want the “ultimate in mobility and design”, Terwilliger went on to explain, you should look out for the Premium tier.
So, to recap: a plain Dell laptop is the most affordable consumer choice, equivalent to Dell Inspirons. A Dell Plus laptop is roughly equivalent to Dell’s Inspiron Plus range. And Dell Premium would similar to the old Dell XPS.
Moving into the commercial sphere, previously called Latitudes, you have the Dell Pro range. Within that, you can also buy Dell Pro Plus and Dell Pro Premium laptops.
And then, at the top, sit the last word in performance – what might previously have been Dell Precision workstation laptops. That’s the Dell Pro Max range, although I don’t believe these will have Plus or Premium versions.
“Sleek, stylish, powered by AI.” That’s Dell’s strapline for the 14 Plus, with an emphasis on its Copilot+ PC status thanks to Intel’s Core Ultra 200V processors. These will range from the Core Ultra 5 226V to the Core Ultra 9 288V.
We know it will weigh from 1.55kg and measure 16.99mm thick, with what should be a high-quality webcam that benefits from the NPU inside Intel’s chip. Dell also promises up to 22 hours of battery life.
The 14in screen is tuned for the sRGB colour space, so think natural colours rather than cinematic. Its resolution is 2,560 x 1,600 if you choose the non-touch version and 1,920 x 1,200 if you want a touchscreen.
Storage options are 512GB, 1TB or 2TB, with a solid collection of ports: HDMI 2.1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Thunderbolt 4, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) and a 3.5mm audio jack.
So far, we have only seen the Dell 14 Plus available for order in the UK with prices starting at £999 (£832.50 excluding VAT). That buys you a Core Ultra 7 256V processor with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The only display currently on offer is the 2,560 x 1,600 non-touch panel.
“Stunning function in every mode” reads the strap for the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1, which went on sale in the UK today. It shares much in common with the plain Dell 14 Plus, except that its screen rotates 360 degrees so you can use it as a tablet. Or in tent mode.
There is only one panel option. This is a 14in screen with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, but note that its colour coverage isn’t as good as the plain Dell 14 Plus. Dell quotes 45% NTSC coverage, which will be roughly 60% of the sRGB space.
Otherwise, the main difference is that it’s heavier, starting at 1.61kg, and it’s 16.39mm at its thickest point. However, it comes with exactly the same mix of ports:
As with the Dell 14 Plus, there is no sign yet of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 on Dell’s US and Australian stores. In the UK, prices start at £849 (£707.50 excluding VAT). That buys you a Core Ultra 5 226V processor with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
For the Dell 16 Plus, Dell has opted for the tagline “Unleash your creativity with AI”. Perhaps that’s a reference to the extra space having a 16in panel gives you.
The key here, though, is choosing the right screen. Dell says there are three options. First, a 1,920 x 1,200 (FHD+) version in touch and non-touch options, which will be the most basic.
Or you can choose one of two 2,560 x 1,600 (QHD+) panels, and here you need to look at the detail. The non-touch option is an IPS panel, and should still look impactful. But there’s also a mini-LED touchscreen, which will look amazing.
Dell manages to keep the thickness to 16.99mm, like the Dell 14 Plus, with the weight starting at 1.87kg. You get the same choice of CPUs, with the promise of up to 20 hours of battery life.
The ports are also identical.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, right now the Dell 16 Plus is available in the UK but not yet in the US or Australia. For £999 (£832.50 exc VAT), you’ll enjoy a 512GB SSD, Core Ultra 5 226V processor and 16GB of RAM.
But let’s talk screens. There’s no FHD+ option here (probably wise), so that £999 includes the 2,560 x 1,600 non-touch panel based on IPS technology. However, you can upgrade to the mini-LED touchscreen and bring the total to £1,196.60.
Finally we come to the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, which Dell calls your flexible friend. Not really: this is a “versatile creative canvas”. Once again, it shares much in common with the Dell 16 Plus, so let’s focus on the differences.
First, the weight has jumped up a little to 2.05kg (4.52lbs). But it remains 16.99mm at its thickest point, and Dell reckons battery life goes up to 21 hours in its tests. The ports you can guess.
Once again, be careful when choosing the panel. The basic option – which I would steer clear of – is a 1,920 x 1,200 (FHD+) touchscreen that only covers 45% of the NTSC colour space. Not great.
Instead, if you possibly can, choose the QHD+ version that uses mini-LED technology and is tuned for the far wider DCI-P3 space.
You guessed it: for now, only available in the UK. Once more, prices start at £999 (£832.50 exc VAT) and that includes a Core Ultra 256V with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It also features the lesser display.
However, if you select the Core Ultra 258V you’ll double the RAM to 32GB and the SSD to 1TB. And, arguably more importantly for your day-to-day happiness, you’ll enjoy the benefit of that mini-LED 2,560 x 1,600 display.
For all that, you have to pay £1,299, so £300 extra. Well worth it, in my view.
