The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441: An Outstanding Choice for Students

As we enter the new year, Dell has dropped the price of its Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 model by $100, bringing it down to $850. This version of the laptop comes with the Snapdragon X Plus chipset and a 256GB SSD.

Highlights

• The Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 is usually priced at $950.
• This laptop features a commendably long battery life and robust performance packaged in a lightweight design.
• However, it does have a limited selection of ports.

Today's college students are fortunate to have access to exceptional laptops like the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, which stands out as a fantastic lightweight option for school.

The recommendation for this model comes from its use of Qualcomm's ARM-based Snapdragon X chipset. This recent hardware performs impressively; I was able to keep more than 50 tabs open across various Chrome windows with videos streaming without any performance hiccups, not even while using the laptop's generative AI features.

Despite the benefits of the Snapdragon X, it's worth noting that not every application is currently optimized for ARM-based hardware. For instance, Cinebench, a well-known benchmarking app, couldn't run on this laptop during my testing. Microsoft has worked hard to ensure compatibility with most applications, but some remain in development.

In terms of user experience, the Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 did not disappoint. It has many features that make it enjoyable to use. One of my personal favorites is the keyboard, which features chiclet keys made from a soft rubber-like material, providing a smooth and responsive typing experience.

The speakers are positioned on either side of the keyboard, which is great. Dell avoids the common issue of downward-facing speakers, offering a better audio experience. The sound quality is impressive, with crisp details and strong bass thanks to a built-in subwoofer.

This laptop has a sturdy aluminum chassis, ensuring durability. The rounded edges also enhance comfort during use. One of the most notable aspects is its anti-fingerprint finish; I've never seen a laptop that resists fingerprints as effectively as this one—it remains clean to the touch.

The laptop features a 14-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) display that boasts an outstanding anti-glare coating. Regardless of bright lighting, this screen performs well and offers vibrant colors, especially noticeable when indoors.

Battery life is a standout feature, with Dell claiming it can last up to 21 hours. In my tests, I observed it lasting more than 14 hours on a single charge, which still surpasses many Intel-based laptops.

Some limitations include a restricted selection of ports, offering only five in total: two USB-C ports, one headphone jack, an SD card slot, and a USB-A port. Additionally, the laptop's heating vents discharge warm air toward the user. While disappointing, it's an understandable trade-off for a laptop weighing just 3.17 pounds.

On the downside, the device comes with a fair amount of pre-installed software, or bloatware. My review unit had a 512GB SSD, yet nearly 70GB were taken up by these additional apps.

Final Recommendation

If you're willing to overlook the limited ports and storage, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 is a highly recommendable laptop that boasts impressive longevity and strong hardware performance. It even has the potential to outshine the average M1 MacBook Air.

While the typical starting price for laptops with the Snapdragon X Plus chip is $1,099, Dell is currently offering a $200 discount, which reduces the price to $899. This makes the Inspiron 14 Plus one of the most affordable options featuring the new Snapdragon processor. For those seeking additional power, a version with a 1TB SSD and the Snapdragon X Elite processor starts at $1,199.

laptop, Dell, students