GoKawiilKyle Kucharski/ZDNET
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The MacBook Neo was a total disruption to the consumer PC landscape, bringing premium-tier features to a competitive $599 price point. But its reign as king of the hill is being challenged. PC makers are responding with laptops that overtly compete with the Neo by one-upping its weak points.
Also: Watch out, Neo: Dell's new XPS 13 costs $599 and retains premium features
Case in point: the new Dell XPS 13 -- starting at $599 for students and $699 for general consumers -- is the thinnest and lightest XPS yet, lighter than the Neo, with a bigger display, and better connectivity (and a backlit keyboard, to boot).
Apple MacBook Neo (left), Dell XPS 13 (2026) (right) Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
How does it achieve this? A combination of lightweight hardware (8GB up to 32GB of RAM) and Intel's new "Wildcat Lake" Core Series 3 chips, battery-efficient processors designed for budget PCs that trade in raw power for a more accessible price point.
Let's break down the differences between the MacBook Neo and Dell's new XPS 13, keeping in mind that I have not yet gone hands-on with the XPS 13 and these points are based on specs only -- not general use over an extended period.
Specifications
Apple MacBook Neo Dell XPS 13 (2026) Display 13-inch non-touch, 60Hz refresh, 2408 x 1506 resolution, 500 nits 13.4-inch touch, 30-120Hz variable refresh, 2560 x 1600 (2.5K) resolution, 500 nits Weight 2.7 pounds 2.2 pounds Processor Apple A18 Pro Intel Core 5 or 7 RAM/Storage 8GB / 256GB-512GB 8GB-32GB / 256GB-1TB Battery 36.5Whr 52Whr Camera 1080p FaceTime HD camera 2MP/1080p HD +IR webcam Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6 Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 Price Starting at $499 $599
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