Dell unveils a new XPS 13 laptop positioned against Apple’s MacBook Neo, with a starting price of $699 for general consumers and $599 for eligible students. The announcement is made ahead of back-to-school shopping and is presented by Dell as a premium thin-and-light option at an accessible price point. Multiple outlets report that the XPS 13 emphasizes hardware features that Dell says are not found on the MacBook Neo at the same price. These include a touch-screen display and a backlit keyboard. Dell also highlights connectivity and wireless upgrades such as a faster second USB-C port and Wi‑Fi 7 support. Some coverage adds additional audio hardware, describing a four-speaker setup.
Other reported specifications include an all-metal chassis and a display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and wide color coverage. Both laptops are described as running at similar entry-level configurations in terms of size and price, while Dell states that its new XPS 13 matches or competes in form-factor metrics and delivers feature-focused differences at the starting price. Dell says the base model is expected to arrive soon in the U.S.
