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Dell XPS 14z price starts at $999 on November 1st (hands-on)

Dell XPS 14z price starts at $999 on November 1st (hands-on)

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Dell's thin-and-light XPS 14z is detailed, we receive hands-on.

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Dell XPS 14z Hands-On
Dell XPS 14z Hands-On

We now have all of the details on the thin-and-light XPS 14z that Dell announced last month. This 0.9-inch-thick brother to the XPS 15z will start at $999 for a base config that includes a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-2430M processor, 6GB of RAM, a 1366 x 768 WLED-backlit display, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a slot-loading DVD drive. While more expensive XPS 14z configurations include a Nvidia GPU, the $999 model only has integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics. The XPS 15z, which we saw earlier this year, includes a 1GB Nvidia Optimus GPU at the same price and has an optional 1920 x 1080 display.

The XPS 14z will be sold in three additional configurations when it's released on November 1st in the US and Canada (November 15th elsewhere); the max spec will pack a 2.8GHz Core i7-2640M processor, a 1GB GeForce GT 520M graphics chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $1,599. Multiple RAM and storage options will be available for each configuration, but that's it. This means that the XPS 14z doesn't get a 1080p display or a Blu-ray drive. We asked Dell about the latter and were told it wasn't possible because no one makes slimline slot-loading Blu-ray drives yet. There is good news to report, however. We got some hands-on time with the new laptop, and we found that the aluminum chassis and magnesium alloy palmrest felt good and that the construction seemed solid despite some seams. The keyboard is identical to the one on the XPS 15z, which isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately both USB ports (one 3.0 and one 2.0) are on the back of the laptop and are too close to each other for comfort.

We'll be getting a review unit soon, but in the meantime, check out the gallery and product page below for some photos and more specs.

Sean Hollister contributed to this report.

Dell XPS 14z hands-on and press pictures

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