Dell XPS 14 (9440) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11
The Verdict
Dell's XPS 14 delivers a traditional laptop experience with Intel's latest Core Ultra processor, 512GB storage, and a bright 500-nit IPS display, making it ideal for productivity work. Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 pivots to portability with its ultralight 0.895kg chassis, stunning 900-nit OLED touchscreen with 120Hz refresh, and ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite chip optimized for efficiency. Performance-wise, both handle everyday tasks seamlessly, though Intel edges ahead for CPU-intensive work. The XPS excels with better connectivity (Thunderbolt, SD card), larger screen, and superior battery life claims. Surface Pro 11 wins on display quality, weight, and touchscreen versatility,but the storage disparity (256GB vs 512GB) and lack of traditional ports are concerning. For a stationary workstation or content creation, choose the XPS 14. If ultraportability and display excellence matter most, the Surface Pro 11 justifies its $700 price advantage.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Dell XPS 14 (9440) if…
- →Striking minimalist CNC aluminum design
- →Optional 3.2K OLED touch display
- →Optional discrete RTX 4050 GPU
Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 if…
- →Stunning OLED display with HDR and 120Hz
- →Incredibly thin and light for a Windows tablet
- →Excellent battery life thanks to Snapdragon X Elite
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Pros
- Striking minimalist CNC aluminum design
- Optional 3.2K OLED touch display
- Optional discrete RTX 4050 GPU
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus microSD
- Excellent quad speaker setup
Cons
- No USB-A or HDMI ports
- Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
- Seamless haptic touchpad has no visible borders
- Battery life below class-leading ultrabooks
- Premium price for the base configuration
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Pros
- Stunning OLED display with HDR and 120Hz
- Incredibly thin and light for a Windows tablet
- Excellent battery life thanks to Snapdragon X Elite
- Versatile 2-in-1 form factor with optional Flex Keyboard
Cons
- Keyboard and pen sold separately, raising true cost
- Only two USB-C ports and no Thunderbolt
- ARM app compatibility gaps remain in some software
- Lap usability limited by kickstand design
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 14 (9440) | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.74 kg | 0.895 kg |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 320.0 x 215.5 x 18.0 mm | 287 x 208 x 9.3 mm |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 0 |
| HDMI | — | 0 |
| USB-A ports | — | 0 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours mixed use | Up to 14 hours |
| Capacity | 69.5 Wh | 53 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.5 inches | 13 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | PixelSense Flow touchscreen, OLED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2880 x 1920 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 900 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 12 cores |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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