Dell Inspiron 14z review

In everyday use, we had no trouble typing on the large QWERTY keyboard thanks to its full-size keys and standard layout. There’s no numerical keypad, but we would always prefer not to have one if its inclusion meant shrunken keys. The Chiclet-style design never felt cramped, and each key has plenty of bounce to make typing comfortable and responsive. The large touchpad directly below the keyboard is large enough to navigate the desktop in one movement, with minimal friction thanks to its metallic surface. The touchpad buttons are just as tough and create audible clicks when pressed, so you’re always sure when you’ve pressed one.

Unlike the more expensive XPS, the Inspiron 14z keeps most of its connectivity at the sides of its chassis rather than hiding them at the back. The three USB ports, of which two support the faster USB3 standard, and combination audio jack are hidden beneath plastic flaps, as are the HDMI and mini-DisplayPort video outputs. A multi-format card reader and DVD optical drive are other welcome inclusions.

We’re big fans of Dell’s new push towards good looking laptops – some of their older systems certainly would have seen the benefit of better styling, and it helps the Inspiron 14z stand out from the competition. The model we looked at is the mid-range option, so you can save around £80 by opting for a slightly slower Core i3 processor and only 500GB of storage space. Whichever you choose, this is an excellent choice for a new laptop.