Dell Unveils $699 XPS 13 to Challenge Apple’s MacBook Neo
Dell has unveiled its most affordable XPS laptop yet, launching the redesigned XPS 13 at $699 for general consumers and $599 for students. The announcement comes ahead of Computex 2026 in Taipei and signals another step in the company’s effort to strengthen its premium consumer lineup.
The new XPS 13 features a 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Moreover, Dell packs these specifications into a CNC-machined aluminum chassis that weighs only 2.2 pounds and measures 12.7 millimeters thin.
The laptop also offers up to 17 hours of battery life, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, Bluetooth 6, and quad speakers with Dolby Atmos. Additionally, buyers can choose configurations with 8GB to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
Discussing the competition, Dell COO Jeff Clarke said the company remained confident in its approach. According to reports, Clarke said Dell did not alter a single feature after Apple introduced the MacBook Neo, insisting that the company stayed true to the XPS identity while maintaining an aggressive price point.
Taking Aim at Apple’s MacBook Neo
Dell clearly positions the XPS 13 against Apple’s MacBook Neo. While Apple’s budget laptop starts at $599, Dell highlights several hardware advantages.
For example, the XPS 13 includes a larger, higher-resolution touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, whereas the Neo features a 13-inch 60Hz display without touch support. Furthermore, Dell’s laptop weighs less and supports up to 1TB of storage, doubling the Neo’s maximum capacity.
The student discount applies to buyers aged 16 and above during the back-to-school season. At that price, customers receive an Intel Core 5 320 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Meanwhile, Dell plans to introduce more powerful configurations featuring Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors later this summer.
XPS Brand Revival Gains Momentum
The launch of the XPS 13 continues Dell’s broader effort to revive the XPS brand. Earlier this year, company executives acknowledged that retiring the XPS name had been a mistake.
“I owe you an apology today. We didn’t listen to you,” Clarke told reporters during CES 2026.
Following that admission, Dell reintroduced the XPS 14 and XPS 16. Subsequently, the company positioned the XPS 13 as the lightest and most accessible model in the lineup.
The XPS 13 is expected to reach the U.S. market this summer. However, Dell has not yet announced pricing or availability details for European customers.
