Does the Dell XPS 14 9440 work with Linux?

Not cleanly: there are significant gaps, so we don't recommend it for Linux as-is. Same Meteor Lake platform as the XPS 16.

What does the Dell XPS 14 9440 cost?

RRP is about 1899 USD (2099 EUR in the EU); street price is often lower.

Is the Dell XPS 14 9440 good for creative work?

For creative work we score it 6/10 on value and 7/10 on performance.

How heavy is the Dell XPS 14 9440?

1.8 kg (3.97 lb). That's heavy for a daily commute.

What's the battery life like?

A 70 Wh pack, around 11 hours real-world mixed use. We score battery 7/10.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?

RAM is soldered, so the 16 GB it ships with is the RAM it dies with. Storage starts at 512 GB on this configuration.

Photo: Dell press / product page

Dell · 2024

Dell XPS 14 9440

Name: Dell XPS 14 9440
Brand: Dell
SKU: XPS 14 9440
Price: 1899 USD
Availability: InStock

Sharp build and a good 14.5 inch panel, but on Linux the IPU6 webcam stays dark and the cs35l56 speakers need firmware and a UCM patch before they make a sound.

from € 2.099 $1,899 RRP

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Best for creative work office and web work programming
Linux: gaps

Compiled & edited by Dennis de Kruijf · updated 2026-05-18 · how we rate

Scorecard

7.0 / 10

Mean of six category scores, 0 to 10. Compiled from public sources. How we rate.

Strongest on display and build, with no category below average.

Battery 7/10
Display 8/10
Build 8/10
Keyboard 6/10
Speed 7/10
Value 6/10

Worth knowing

Stands out

OLED display, deep contrast
Bright 500-nit screen, readable in sunlight
120Hz screen, smoother motion
Wide 100% P3 colour, creative-grade

Watch for

Linux needs significant work on this hardware
NVIDIA needs the proprietary driver on Linux
RAM is soldered, no upgrade later

Compare with other laptops

Linux: significant gaps, expand for details

Linux readiness5.1

Works · Best on ubuntu LTS. Confidence: medium · How we score

Specs

Specifications for Dell XPS 14 9440
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop (30W)
RAM	16 GB (soldered, not upgradeable)
Storage	512 GB
Screen	14.5" 1920x1200 @ 120Hz, 500 nitsvery bright, easy in direct sun, smoother scrolling and motion
Weight	1.8 kgaverage weight
Battery	70 Wh, around 11 h real-world

Common questions

Does the Dell XPS 14 9440 work with Linux?: Not cleanly: there are significant gaps, so we don't recommend it for Linux as-is. Same Meteor Lake platform as the XPS 16.
What does the Dell XPS 14 9440 cost?: RRP is about 1899 USD (2099 EUR in the EU); street price is often lower.
Is the Dell XPS 14 9440 good for creative work?: For creative work we score it 6/10 on value and 7/10 on performance.
How heavy is the Dell XPS 14 9440?: 1.8 kg (3.97 lb). That's heavy for a daily commute.
What's the battery life like?: A 70 Wh pack, around 11 hours real-world mixed use. We score battery 7/10.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?: RAM is soldered, so the 16 GB it ships with is the RAM it dies with. Storage starts at 512 GB on this configuration.