What This Dell XPS 13 Is—and Who It’s For
The new Dell XPS 13 is a thin, all‑metal entry-level ultrabook priced at USD 699.99 (approx. RM3,270) that aims to bring the XPS line’s premium design and everyday performance to budget‑conscious buyers who might otherwise choose Apple’s MacBook Neo. Dell’s decision to put the XPS badge on a laptop at this price marks a clear play for students, first‑time buyers, and workers who care more about feel and portability than raw power. From my hands-on time at Computex, it comes across as a carefully scaled‑back XPS rather than a generic budget machine: lighter than the MacBook Neo, similar in footprint, and built from metal rather than plastic. The big question is whether those smart compromises and its touch screen are enough to make it the budget laptop to beat.
Design and Build: Premium Feel on a Budget
Dell’s XPS family has a reputation for high-end design, and this cheaper XPS 13 keeps more of that DNA than its price suggests. The chassis is all metal, with a sturdy feel that avoids the flex and creaks common in low-cost laptops. In hand, it feels closer to a flagship ultrabook than a bargain bin special, and at 2.2 pounds it undercuts the MacBook Neo on weight while also being slightly smaller overall. According to PCMag’s hands-on report, Dell was confident enough to place the Neo right next to the XPS on the show floor, inviting direct comparison. The keyboard and touchpad are where you see the savings: both are serviceable but on the basic side, with fewer frills than the more expensive XPS 14 and 16 models. For the price, though, the trade‑off feels fair.
Display and Touch: Where Dell Pulls Ahead of the Neo
The XPS 13’s screen is one of its biggest advantages over the MacBook Neo in this budget laptop comparison. You get a 13.4‑inch panel versus the Neo’s 13‑inch display, yet the Dell stays lighter and slightly smaller overall. Resolution is a sharp 1600p, which looks crisp at typical laptop viewing distances. Colors and brightness did not strike me as high‑end, but they are more than adequate for work, study, and streaming. The headline feature, though, is touch. No MacBook offers a touch screen, and here it feels natural because of the XPS 13’s compact size—you can comfortably tap, scroll, and pinch‑zoom when you do not want to reach for the trackpad. For students flipping through notes or anyone skimming documents on the go, that extra input option is a real everyday benefit.
Performance Trade-Offs and Everyday Experience
Dell trims some of the more advanced features seen on the larger XPS 14 and 16 to reach that USD 699.99 (approx. RM3,270) entry point, and performance is where expectations should be kept realistic. This XPS 13 is built for web browsing, office work, video calls, and media streaming, not heavy creative workloads or gaming. The all‑metal body helps with heat dissipation, so light multitasking at Computex felt smooth enough for typical student or office tasks. The keyboard, while basic, still provides a comfortable layout for longer typing sessions, and the touchpad tracks without drama. This configuration feels tuned more for balanced, efficient use than headline benchmark wins. If you need serious horsepower, you will want to look higher in the XPS range or at more expensive machines, but for everyday use the compromise seems sensible.
Value: Is It the Better Buy Than MacBook Neo?
For buyers torn between the MacBook Neo and Dell’s cheapest XPS, the decision comes down to platform preference and which trade‑offs you accept. Dell positions this XPS 13 as a direct MacBook Neo competitor, even calling attention to the comparison on the Computex show floor. At USD 699.99 (approx. RM3,270), it costs more than Apple’s budget model but gives you a slightly larger 1600p display, lighter and trimmer body, and a touch screen MacBooks lack. Apple’s machine may win for those locked into macOS or who prioritize its ecosystem above all else. But if you want an entry-level ultrabook that looks and feels premium, values portability, and adds touch without blowing the budget, the XPS 13 makes a strong case as the better all‑round value.
