Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition)
The Dell 14 Plus is the better laptop on paper: it lasts longer on a charge, has more memory and has more storage. Pick the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 only if it matters to you that it has a brighter screen.
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Key differences
- Battery life Dell 14 Plus wins
The Dell 14 Plus should last longer on a charge: it has a 64 Wh battery against 54 Wh.
- Memory Dell 14 Plus wins
The Dell 14 Plus has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Storage Dell 14 Plus wins
The Dell 14 Plus has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Sharpness Dell 14 Plus wins
The Dell 14 Plus's screen is sharper: 2.5K against 2K.
- Brightness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's screen is brighter (600 against 300 nits), so it's easier to see near a window.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Dell 14 Plus if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 600 nits.
- You like to tap, scroll and sign things on screen: it has a touchscreen.
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Dell 14 Plus leads on battery and weight and performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Dell 14 Plus is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 |
| Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 47 TOPS | 45 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X-8533 | LPDDR5x |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe NVMe SSD | Gen 4 SSD (removable) |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Dell 14 Plus has a sharper screen, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a brighter screen and has a touchscreen.
| Spec | Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 3:2 |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 600 nits |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | sRGB and Vivid colour profiles |
| HDR | Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR 600 nits peak |
| Finish | Matte | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Dell 14 Plus lasts longer on a charge and is slimmer, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is a little lighter.
| Spec | Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 64 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Charger | — | 39 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C, Surface Connect |
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.34 kg |
| Dimensions | 314 x 226.15 x 14-16.95 mm | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm |
| Materials | aluminium lid and base, plastic bezel and palmrest | Anodized aluminum casing |
| Colour | Ice Blue | Sapphire |
| Colours available | Ice Blue | Platinum, Black, Sapphire, Dune |
Ports and wireless
On ports and wireless, it comes down to what you need.
The Dell 14 Plus has HDMI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has USB-A.
| Spec | Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C (DisplayPort 1.4, Power Delivery), 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort 2.1, Power Delivery), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5 mm universal audio jack | 2x USB-C / USB 4 (charging, data, DisplayPort 1.4a), 1x USB-A 3.1, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x Surface Connect (charging) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | English UK, backlit, Copilot key, no numeric keypad | Backlit, mechanical keys, QWERTY with F1-F12 row, Copilot key, media and brightness buttons |
| Login | Fingerprint | Face |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Mylar touchpad, colour-matched to chassis | Precision Haptic touchpad |
| Speakers | stereo speakers, Waves MaxxAudio Pro, Dolby Atmos | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | dual noise-cancelling microphones | Dual Studio Mics with voice focus |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM), fingerprint reader in power button | TPM 2.0, BitLocker support, Windows 11 Secured-core PC, Microsoft Pluton, Windows Hello face authentication |
Software and model
The Dell 14 Plus is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | 1XRKR | ZGM-00064 |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |