Dell introduces the Inspiron 14 ARM edition, built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 platform

The Dell Inspiron 14, a mainstream slim and light laptop, comes in versions with either Intel Core or AMD Ryzen platforms. Recently, according to Liliputing‘s report, Dell has offered a third option: a model featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon and Windows 11 on ARM.

As for the specific processor, the Inspiron 14 ARM edition employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, which is not the latest iteration. Consequently, it lags slightly behind devices like the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G, which sport the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. However, it’s worth noting that its $500 price tag is significantly more affordable than the aforementioned devices.

Regarding other specifications, the Inspiron 14 ARM edition features 8GB of LPDDR4x-2133 memory and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD. Although the memory is soldered, the SSD is upgradeable. Its 14-inch screen has a 1080p resolution. In terms of I/O, this laptop offers two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader, which can be considered typical for mainstream slim and light laptops.

In summary, the primary target audience for the Dell Inspiron 14 ARM edition should be those seeking a lightweight, long-lasting, fanless cooling solution without prioritizing performance. The ARM version weighs only 3.2 pounds, has a 40Wh battery that lasts up to 16 hours, and employs passive cooling. In contrast, the x86 version weighs 3.4 pounds, features a 54Wh battery, and uses fan-assisted active cooling. Nonetheless, frankly speaking, the performance and software compatibility of Windows 11 on ARM should be more pertinent considerations before making a purchase, compared to the processor itself.