What To Know
- Both laptops offer premium experiences, but the Dell XPS 13 Plus excels in design, display, and portability, while the Asus ZenBook 14 boasts superior performance, battery life, and special features.
- Both laptops have excellent keyboards, but the Asus ZenBook 14 offers a more traditional experience with a longer key travel.
- The Asus ZenBook 14 has a wider range of ports, including an HDMI port and a microSD card slot.
In the realm of ultraportable laptops, two titans stand tall: the Dell XPS 13 Plus and the Asus ZenBook 14. Both devices boast impressive specs, sleek designs, and innovative features. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will pit the Dell XPS 13 Plus against the Asus ZenBook 14, scrutinizing their key aspects to determine the ultimate winner.
Design and Build
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- Ultra-minimalist with a single piece of CNC-machined aluminum
- Refined and sophisticated aesthetic with sharp angles and clean lines
- Compact and lightweight at 1.24kg (2.73lbs)
Asus ZenBook 14:
- Premium and elegant with a metallic unibody construction
- Distinctive “Celestial Blue” color option
- Slightly heavier at 1.39kg (3.06lbs), but still portable
Display
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- 13.4-inch OLED InfinityEdge display
- Stunning visuals with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and wide viewing angles
- 400 nits of brightness and Dolby Vision support
Asus ZenBook 14:
- 14-inch OLED NanoEdge display
- Excellent color accuracy and clarity
- 550 nits of brightness and HDR support
Performance
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- 12th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
- Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
- Intel Iris Xe graphics
Asus ZenBook 14:
- 13th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
- Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
- Intel Arc A370M or Nvidia GeForce MX550 graphics
Keyboard and Touchpad
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- Edge-to-edge keyboard with capacitive touch function keys
- Haptic touchpad with a large surface area
Asus ZenBook 14:
- Full-size backlit keyboard with a 1.4mm key travel
- Precision touchpad with Windows Precision drivers
Battery Life
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
- 60Wh battery
- Fast charging with ExpressCharge
Asus ZenBook 14:
- Up to 13 hours of battery life
- 75Wh battery
- USB-C fast charging
Connectivity
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- One USB-C port
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
Asus ZenBook 14:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- One HDMI port
- One microSD card slot
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
Special Features
Dell XPS 13 Plus:
- Facial recognition with Windows Hello
- Proximity sensor for automatic wake-up
- Dell Mobile Connect for seamless smartphone integration
Asus ZenBook 14:
- NumberPad 2.0 virtual numeric keypad on the touchpad
- Harman Kardon audio system
- MyASUS software suite for device management and optimization
Which One is Right for You?
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and Asus ZenBook 14 are both exceptional ultraportable laptops. However, their strengths and weaknesses cater to different user preferences.
- Choose the Dell XPS 13 Plus for:
- Ultra-minimalist design and portability
- Stunning OLED display
- Innovative capacitive touch function keys
- Choose the Asus ZenBook 14 for:
- More powerful performance options
- Larger OLED display with HDR support
- NumberPad 2.0 virtual numeric keypad
The Verdict
Ultimately, the best choice between the Dell XPS 13 Plus and Asus ZenBook 14 depends on individual needs and priorities. Both laptops offer premium experiences, but the Dell XPS 13 Plus excels in design, display, and portability, while the Asus ZenBook 14 boasts superior performance, battery life, and special features.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
1. Which laptop has a better keyboard?
Both laptops have excellent keyboards, but the Asus ZenBook 14 offers a more traditional experience with a longer key travel.
2. Is the Dell XPS 13 Plus’s capacitive touch function keys a good feature?
It depends on personal preference. Some users find them innovative and convenient, while others prefer physical function keys.
3. Which laptop has a wider range of ports?
The Asus ZenBook 14 has a wider range of ports, including an HDMI port and a microSD card slot.
