Dell introduces its sleekest and lightest XPS 13, priced at only $699, to rival the MacBook Neo.

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      Dell is currently offering the XPS 13 for $599 to students, further reducing its price to compete against Apple's budget-friendly Mac alternative.

      At Computex 2026, Dell made a significant impact with its announcement. The XPS series has long represented the height of Dell’s design and engineering advancements in laptops, although they typically come at a high cost. After a brief hiatus, the XPS line has returned with bold intentions. The newest model is the XPS 13, and its sleek design paired with a $699 price tag is sure to attract attention.

      What sets the XPS 13 apart?

      Dell claims it has a unique take on what “premium” laptops should be at a more accessible price, and in that regard, it has succeeded. Compared to the MacBook Neo, the XPS 13 offers several significant enhancements. Firstly, it features an impressive 2.5K touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, faster USB-C (3.2 Gen 2) ports, improved Wi-Fi 7 support, and a quad-speaker system.

      Additionally, the XPS 13 includes a backlit keyboard—one of the major missing features on the MacBook Neo. It also comes with an IR sensor for biometric facial recognition on the Windows device. The entry-level model is powered by an Intel Series 3 Core 5 Processor, while the more advanced models are equipped with the faster Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor, starting with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

      Here are the internal specifications of the device:

      - Model Number: DX13260

      - Processor Options:

       - Series 3 Intel Core 5 Processor 320 (6-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 4.6GHz)

       - Series 3 Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 355 (8-Core, 12MB Cache, up to 4.7 GHz)

      - Neural Processor: 16 TOPS on Intel Core; 49 TOPS on 355

      - Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-bit / Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

      - Memory Options:

       - 8GB LPDDR5x at 7467 MT/s

       - 16GB LPDDR5x at 7467 MT/s

       - 32GB LPDDR5x at 7467 MT/s

      - Storage Options:

       - 256GB PCIe 4 SSD (Gen 4)

       - 512GB PCIe 4 SSD (Gen 4)

       - 1TB PCIe 4 SSD (Gen 4)

      - Graphics: Intel graphics

      - Display: 13.4-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600) InfinityEdge touchscreen, 500-nit brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR 400, with a 2000:1 contrast ratio and wide viewing angles.

      - Wireless: Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213 2×2 + Bluetooth 6.0 (for Intel Core) / Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE211 2×2 + Bluetooth 6.0 (for Intel Core Ultra)

      - AC Adapter: 65W USB-C GAN Slim

      - Dimensions and Weight: Height: 0.50 in. (12.7 mm), Depth: 7.90 in. (200.66 mm), Width: 11.69 in. (296.90 mm), Weight: starting at 2.2 lbs (1 kg)

      - Battery: 52Whr, 800ED cells with ExpressCharge 1.0

      - Ports:

       - 2x USB Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery (for Intel Core processors)

       - 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery (for Intel Core Ultra processors)

      - Security: Firmware TPM, TCG Certified Windows Hello compliant camera, and Kensington lock support through USB Type-C ports

      - Audio: Quad-speaker design with Dolby Atmos

      How does it differentiate itself?

      Dell is straightforward about its focus; the XPS 13 is aimed directly at the MacBook Neo and excels in several critical aspects. Additionally, Dell is offering the XPS 13 for $599 to students during the back-to-school season. The laptop is available in Sky and Storm colors, exuding a stylish appearance.

      “The XPS 13 embodies the lightest and most accessible interpretation of everything XPS has ever represented. It’s not a lesser version, but a smaller and lighter one,” said the company. It is the thinnest and lightest laptop in the XPS series that Dell has ever produced. Despite being more portable than the MacBook Neo, it