Dell launches XPS 13 with slim design and affordable price, takes on MacBook Neo

Dell has brought back the XPS 13 as a lower-priced premium Windows alternative to Apple's MacBook Neo. The move shows laptop makers are chasing the same student and younger buyers entering the mainstream premium market.

In Short

• Dell revives XPS 13 as a premium Windows alternative
• The new XPS 13 is 12.7mm thin and weighs 997 grams
• New XPS 13 offers premium features at a lower price

With the launch of the MacBook Neo at a starting price of Rs 69,900, Apple entered a market where Windows-based laptop manufacturers have long been comfortable. The MacBook Neo targets a new audience: students and younger buyers who traditionally choose Windows laptops or Chromebooks, bringing MacBooks closer to the mainstream market. But Windows-based laptop makers are trying to stay competitive.

Dell's response is the return of the XPS brand, one of the most recognisable names in premium Windows laptops. The company briefly retired the XPS lineup in 2025, but it is now bringing it back with a new XPS 13 that aims to serve as an affordable yet premium Windows alternative to Apple's MacBook Neo.

Dell brings back the XPS 13

The XPS 13 was Dell's flagship ultraportable laptop for more than a decade, and the new version retains that focus. It is just 12.7mm thick and weighs around 997 grams, making it one of the lightest laptops in its class. Dell has paired the slim design with Intel's new Core Series 3 processor.

Importantly, Dell is also targeting the same audience Apple is chasing. The new XPS 13 starts at $700 (around Rs 67,900), while students can get it for as low as $600 in the US. Dell has not yet announced India pricing.

Dell XPS 13 brings premium features at an affordable price

Despite the lower price, Dell says buyers are not giving up premium features. The laptop comes with a CNC-machined aluminum chassis, a 2.5K IPS display, quad speakers, and Wi-Fi support. The base model includes 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Buyers can choose between two colours: Storm and Sky.

In some areas, Dell is even trying to outdo Apple's affordable MacBook.

Unlike the MacBook Neo, the XPS 13 features a touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate, compared to 60Hz on Apple's machine. It also offers 100 percent DCI-P3 colour coverage and a fully backlit keyboard. The laptop includes a built-in webcam with support for Windows Hello facial recognition as well.

Dell isn't trying to win the pricing war

There are some compromises. The XPS 13 offers only two USB-C ports and no additional connectivity options. Meanwhile, Apple's MacBook Neo may have an advantage in portability and efficiency thanks to its fanless design, while Dell relies on a dual-fan cooling system.

Even so, Dell is not trying to beat Apple solely on price.

According to Gizmodo, Dell Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke told journalists that the company was not trying to "win the pricing war." Instead, Dell believes the XPS 13 offers a better overall package. One example is the display, which can run at 120Hz for smoother visuals and drop to 30Hz when needed to conserve battery life. By comparison, the MacBook Neo's Liquid Retina display tops out at 60Hz.

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