Dell 14 Plus DB14250 14" 2026, Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB SSD

The Dell 14 Plus DB14250 is a refurbished 14-inch laptop with a solid Core Ultra 7 CPU and a roomy 1TB SSD, but it's dragged down by weak integrated graphics, a mediocre screen, and one of the worst port selections we've seen. At CAD 1,100, it's fine for basic office or school work if you don't mind carrying a USB hub. Gamers and creatives should look elsewhere.

The Core Ultra 7 256V is an 8-core chip running at 2.2GHz, and it lands at the 67th percentile for CPUs in our database. That's about average for a modern laptop, which means it'll chew through spreadsheets, video calls, and a dozen browser tabs without much drama. The 16GB of RAM is fine for most people, though it sits at the 37th percentile, so power users who keep fifty tabs open while editing photos might feel the squeeze.

The integrated graphics are where things get rough. At the 14th percentile, this is not a machine for gaming or any GPU-heavy work. The gaming score of 8.9 out of 100 tells you everything you need to know. Don't expect to run anything beyond light indie titles or very old games. The 1TB SSD is a bright spot, landing at the 67th percentile and giving you plenty of room for files without needing an external drive right away.

Stacked against something like the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro, this Dell gets absolutely demolished on GPU performance, screen quality, and port selection. But the MacBook costs way more, so it's not a fair fight. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and HP OMEN Transcend 14 both offer dedicated graphics and better displays, but again, you're paying a premium for those. The Dell's real competition is other budget-friendly refurb units.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i and MSI Raider are gaming machines, so they're in a completely different category. If you care about gaming at all, skip the Dell entirely and look at those. But if you just need a basic Windows laptop for school or office work, the Dell's CPU and storage are competitive enough. The trade-off is that you're accepting a weak screen and almost no ports to save money.

At CAD 1,100 for a refurbished unit, the Dell 14 Plus DB14250 is in a weird spot. You're getting a 1TB SSD and a capable CPU, which is nice. But you're also getting a mediocre screen, terrible port selection, and integrated graphics that can't do much beyond basic tasks. For the same money, you might find a used laptop with a dedicated GPU or a better display if you're patient.

The refurb angle adds some risk too. The reliability score sits at the 33rd percentile, which isn't great. And the retailer note about opting out of Bill 29 means you won't have guaranteed access to replacement parts or repair info after the original warranty expires. That's a real consideration if you plan to keep this thing for a few years.

The Dell 14 Plus DB14250 is a refurbished 14-inch laptop that's trying to be a sensible everyday machine. Intel's Core Ultra 7 256V sits inside, paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. That's a decent foundation for office work, browsing, and school stuff. But the moment you look closer, some compromises start showing up, especially around ports and the screen.

This thing is aimed at people who need a compact Windows laptop without spending a fortune. At CAD 1,100 on the refurb market, it's not exactly cheap, but it's also not trying to compete with new premium ultrabooks. The 3.00kg weight is a bit surprising for a 14-inch machine. That's heavier than a lot of 15-inch laptops we've seen, so the "compact" label comes with an asterisk.

What makes it interesting is the CPU. The Core Ultra 7 256V sits at the 67th percentile in our database, which is solid middle-of-the-pack territory. It's not going to blow anyone away, but it handles day-to-day tasks without breaking a sweat. The integrated graphics, on the other hand, are a different story entirely.

Gamers should absolutely skip this. The integrated graphics and 8.9 gaming score mean you won't be playing anything modern at acceptable frame rates. Look at the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or Lenovo Legion Pro 7i instead if you want a laptop that can actually game.

Creative professionals should also pass. The screen at the 21st percentile won't give you accurate colors for photo or video work, and the integrated graphics will choke on rendering tasks. A MacBook Pro M4 Pro or HP OMEN Transcend 14 would serve you much better, though you'll pay more. And if you travel a lot, the 3.00kg weight might be a dealbreaker for a 14-inch machine.

For students and office workers who mainly live in a browser and productivity apps, the Dell 14 Plus DB14250 is a passable choice. The Core Ultra 7 256V and 1TB SSD will handle essays, spreadsheets, and video calls without complaint. Just make sure you have a USB hub handy, because the port situation is genuinely bad.

If you're a gamer or anyone who does photo or video editing, look elsewhere. The integrated graphics and 21st percentile screen will frustrate you daily. And if you're buying refurbished, the reliability concerns and the Bill 29 opt-out mean you should factor in the possibility of needing a replacement sooner than you'd like.