Dell Launches 14S and 16S Laptops to Replace Plus Line, Priced from $1,270
The Dell 14S and 16S models sit below the resurrected XPS tier, offering on-device AI processing and extended battery life in a streamlined product strategy following the company’s 2025 restructuring.
Dell has introduced its new 14S and 16S mid-range laptops, officially replacing the previous Plus model line. Positioned below the XPS tier, these devices are designed for general productivity, emphasising performance, all-day battery life, and on-device artificial intelligence processing. The launch follows a significant brand restructuring in 2025, where the company eliminated several budget and entry-level models and controversially discontinued the XPS name, before reversing that decision to resurrect the XPS brand at CES in January 2026.
The new laptops are powered by either Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, ranging up to the Core Ultra 9 386H, or AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series processors. Dell claims the integrated AI acceleration allows the devices to handle multi-tasking almost twice as fast as previous models. Both machines run Windows 11 and are designated as Copilot+ PCs, featuring dedicated shortcut keys to facilitate on-device AI tasks.
Display options vary across the lineup, with standard models equipped with FHD+ panels delivering 400 nits of brightness. Buyers can upgrade to QHD+ displays featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of brightness, and Dolby Vision support, or opt for OLED panels for deeper blacks and higher contrast. The devices are available in Celestial Blue or Frost Blue, with memory configurations of 16GB or 32GB and storage options ranging from 512GB to 2TB.
Battery performance is a key differentiator for the new series. Dell states the 14S can deliver up to 24 hours of productivity use and 18 hours of streaming. The larger 16S model offers up to 26 hours of streaming time and 14 hours of everyday task usage. In terms of physical design, the 14S weighs 3.2 lbs, while the 16S weighs 3.9 lbs, maintaining a slim profile for both units.
Availability in the United States begins immediately for the Intel-based configurations. The Dell 14S is available starting at $1,270, while the 16S starts at $1,320 for the base configuration. Customers seeking the AMD Ryzen AI variants will need to wait, as those models are not scheduled for release until later this month.
