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ZDNET's key takeaways
Dell's new XPS 13 costs $599 for students and $699 for everyone else.
It's an open challenge to the MacBook Neo with a bigger display, lighter body, and better I/O.
It features Intel's new "Wildcat Lake" Series 3 CPU, designed for budget PCs.
When Dell's COO Jeff Clarke announced the new XPS 13 ahead of Computex 2026, he made no attempt to avoid its inevitable comparison to the MacBook Neo. Oh no, he addressed it straight on. "We didn't change a single feature when the Neo was launched. We stayed true to the XPS' identity ... And I think we've achieved it with the $599 price point."
Also: MacBook Neo vs. Surface: Why spiraling RAM prices are bruising Microsoft's PC business but not Apple's
It's a bold claim -- refreshingly so -- and the first time a PC maker has so openly positioned a flagship product in opposition to Apple's wildly successful budget laptop that's disrupted the PC market. The XPS 13 will cost $599 for students and $699 for the general market, a very aggressive price point for its feature set, especially with the iconic XPS name.
As the cost of memory soars (and consumer laptops with it), the Dell 2026 XPS 13 comes at just the right time, taking aim at students, young professionals, and budget-conscious consumers looking for a high performance laptop with premium features.
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