The Inspiron 14z's discrete GPU raises its gaming capabilities somewhat, and the laptop can even deliver smooth 3D performance. In our Crysis 2 graphics tests, the 14z delivered an acceptable frame rate of 42.1 frames per second (at 800-by-600-pixel resolution and low quality settings). The 14z isn't a match for big-time gamers or graphic designers, but its discrete graphics card offers significantly better performance than you'd get from Ultrabooks that rely on integrated graphics.

The downside of better multimedia performance is worse battery life: In our tests, the Inspiron 14z managed just 5 hours, 25 minutes of battery life, which is low for an all-purpose laptop but about average for an Ultrabook.

The Inspiron 14z is housed in an elementary-looking chassis with lots of rounded corners and matte plastic edging. The cover and the keyboard deck sport brushed aluminum panels, but both are surrounded by matte-silver plastic borders that reduce the sleekness of the design.

The 14z's keyboard is spill-proof--and thus perfect for jittery coffee drinkers--but its island-style keys are too small, too widely spaced, and too soft to the touch. In effect, you sacrifice speed and accuracy for quietness. Another shortcoming: The Function keys on our test model worked only about 65 percent of the time.