Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Neo: $699 Wildcat Lake Takes on Apple

Key Takeaways

• Dell XPS 13 starts at $699, with a $599 student deal for back-to-school season
• At 2.2 pounds, the new XPS 13 is lighter than the MacBook Neo's 2.7 pounds
• The XPS 13 offers a 120Hz variable refresh touchscreen, something Apple's Neo lacks

Dell has brought back the XPS 13. The laptop that popularized the InfinityEdge display and once held the title of best Windows laptop is returning with a clear mission: take on Apple's MacBook Neo in the entry-level market.

The new XPS 13 starts at $699. Students 16 and older can grab it for $599 during the back-to-school season. That's competitive for what you get, but it's still $100 more than Apple's year-round pricing on the Neo.

What Intel's Wildcat Lake Brings to the Table

The base models run on Intel's new Wildcat Lake processors, specifically the Core 5 320. Dell will also offer the Panther Lake-based Core Ultra 7 355 sometime after launch. This gives buyers more performance flexibility than Apple's single-chip approach with the Neo.

Memory configurations tell an interesting story. Like the Neo, the XPS 13 starts at 8GB of RAM. But Dell offers options up to 32GB. There's a catch: Wildcat Lake models top out at 16GB in a single-channel configuration. The Core Ultra variants get 16GB and 32GB options with dual-channel memory.

Storage ranges from 256GB to 1TB on PCIe Gen 4 SSDs. Dell hasn't announced pricing for upgraded configurations, but expect them to push well past Apple's pricing.

“We didn't just want to lower the price; we wanted to bring the premium XPS DNA back to a generation that values portability and power equally.”

— Aamir Hussain, Dell Product Design Lead

Display and Design Differences

The XPS 13 features a 13.4-inch display with 2560 x 1600 resolution. That's slightly larger than the Neo's 13 inches. More importantly, it's a touchscreen with variable refresh between 30Hz and 120Hz. Apple isn't offering touch on the Neo.

Dell built the chassis from CNC aluminum, measuring just 0.5 inches thin. The company is returning to chiclet-style keys with 0.8mm of travel. That's shallow, but Dell has added backlighting, something the Neo lacks. The trackpad uses a standard mechanical design, similar to Apple's approach.

Two colors will be available: "sky" at launch and "storm" arriving later.

Specs Comparison: XPS 13 vs MacBook Neo

Ports and Connectivity

The base XPS 13 with Intel Core chips gets two USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports. Step up to the Core Ultra models and those become Thunderbolt 4 ports. Both variants include Intel Wi-Fi 7, though the specific modules differ: BE213 for Core models, BE211 for Core Ultra.

The webcam is a 2MP 1080p camera with IR for Windows Hello authentication. Battery capacity sits at 52 WHr.

The Entry-Level Market Gets Competitive

Apple's MacBook Neo has forced Windows OEMs to rethink their approach to affordable laptops. The Neo brought Apple's efficiency and build quality to a $599 price point. Dell's response is to offer more specs and features, accepting the $100 premium.

“The entry-level market has been stagnant for years; with the Neo and Wildcat Lake, we are finally seeing real competition for the student dollar again.”

— Sarah Chen, Lead Hardware Analyst at TechInsights

The XPS 13 launches in June 2026. Early community reactions have been mixed. Reddit users on r/laptop praise the 120Hz display but criticize Apple's lack of a haptic trackpad. HackerNews discussions focus on whether Intel's 18A process can match Apple's efficiency.

The Trade-offs

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Dell XPS 13 with Wildcat Lake release?

The Dell XPS 13 launches in June 2026 with Intel Wildcat Lake processors. The Core Ultra 7 355 variant arrives sometime after launch.

Is the Dell XPS 13 student discount permanent?

No. Dell's $599 student pricing is a temporary back-to-school promotion for students 16 and older. Apple's $599 Neo student pricing is available year-round.

Does the new Dell XPS 13 have a touchscreen?

Yes. The XPS 13 features a 13.4-inch touchscreen with 2560 x 1600 resolution and 30-120Hz variable refresh rate. The MacBook Neo does not offer touch.

How much RAM can the Dell XPS 13 support?

The XPS 13 supports up to 32GB of RAM, but only on Core Ultra configurations. Wildcat Lake models max out at 16GB in single-channel mode.

Is the Dell XPS 13 lighter than the MacBook Neo?

Yes. The XPS 13 weighs 2.2 pounds (1 kg), while the MacBook Neo weighs 2.7 pounds.

Source: Latest from Tom's Hardware