At Computex, Dell’s $700 XPS 13 Sets Its Sights on the MacBook Neo

Dell introduced a new $699.99 XPS 13 at Computex in Taipei, positioning it as a budget competitor to Apple’s MacBook Neo. The laptop uses Intel’s entry-level Core Series 3 Wildcat Lake processors to cut costs while offering an upgrade path to Core Ultra Series 3 Panther Lake chips later. Unlike Dell’s premium XPS models, this version omits features like a 4K webcam and a flush keyboard, instead prioritizing a lightweight aluminum frame, 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display, and backlit keys. The XPS 13 is slightly smaller and lighter than the MacBook Neo, measuring 0.5 by 11.7 by 7.9 inches and weighing 2.2 pounds, with a larger screen at 13.4 inches. Dell highlighted its all-metal build and key backlighting—features absent in the Neo—as key differentiators. The laptop comes in two colors, Sky and Storm, both silver variants. Dell will offer the XPS 13 to students at a $100 discount during the back-to-school season, mirroring Apple’s student pricing strategy. The model retains some premium XPS design elements, such as a thin profile and high-resolution display, despite its lower price. Intel’s Wildcat Lake chips enable the affordable price point while supporting future upgrades to Panther Lake processors. The keyboard uses a traditional chiclet layout, differing from the edge-to-edge design of larger XPS models, and the touchpad lacks the seamless, invisible design found in pricier versions. Dell emphasized the XPS 13’s portability and build quality as advantages over the MacBook Neo, though full testing is needed to confirm usability. The laptop’s launch marks Dell’s push into the budget ultraportable market, directly challenging Apple’s MacBook Neo.