MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Specs, options, value

Dell has rebuilt the XPS 13 to instantly tackle Apple’s MacBook Neo on value. Here is how the entry-level fashions evaluate on specs and worth.

Apple’s MacBook Neo arrived as the corporate’s most accessible laptop computer, pairing the A18 Professional chip with a $599 value. Dell has now answered instantly with a brand new XPS 13.

Dell is open in regards to the goal. Its announcement names the MacBook Neo and frames the XPS 13 because the extra feature-rich possibility at an analogous value.

There’s a catch in that pricing, which actually issues for this comparability. We’re specializing in the entry-level configurations of each machines, the place the battle is actually being fought.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Specs

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Value and configuration

The elephant within the room is how the fashions are priced. The headline costs look an identical, however they don’t seem to be.

That is one thing that is a vital a part of this dialogue that we’ve to speak about this primary, as an alternative of final in different comparability articles we make.

The MacBook Neo prices $599 for anybody, geared up with 8GB of reminiscence and 256GB of storage. There aren’t any eligibility situations connected, so anybody who can afford it may possibly get one.

It actually is not this clear-cut for Dell’s possibility.

The XPS 13 is barely $599 for college kids aged 16 and up throughout the back-to-school interval. That provide runs till November 2, 2026, and requires Dell Rewards membership and pupil verification.

For everybody else, the XPS 13 begins at $699, $100 greater than the scholar supply. That can also be $100 greater than the MacBook Neo for the entry configuration.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Dell has give you a compelling various to the MacBook Neo, at an analogous value.

The storage image complicates issues additional. At its $599 or $699 value, the XPS 13 ships with a 512GB SSD, whereas the MacBook Neo offers 256GB at $599 and prices further for 512GB.

Dell’s pre-launch advertising additionally mentions a 256GB capability accessible “put up launch.” Nevertheless, there isn’t a clarification about what this truly means.

So the worth comparability relies upon solely on who’s shopping for, and when. A pupil will get double the storage with the XPS 13 on the Neo’s value, whereas a non-student pays $100 extra for a similar quantity.

Admittedly, the $100-more XPS 13 equals the storage of the MacBook Neo at that value degree. The extra complicated cheaper price possibility is a matter.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Design

Each laptops are thin-and-light machines aimed toward portability. They share an an identical 12.7mm thickness, making them extremely moveable gadgets.

The XPS 13 is the lighter of the 2 at 2.2 kilos. The MacBook Neo weighs 2.7 kilos, virtually half a pound extra.

Apple’s MacBook Neo has a footprint of 11.71 inches by 8.12 inches, which is sort of compact. Dell manages to get its unit to be a tiny bit smaller at 11.69 inches by 7.9 inches.

Dell makes use of CNC-machined aluminum for the XPS 13 chassis. Apple makes use of aluminum for the MacBook Neo as effectively, consistent with the remainder of the Mac line.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Facet views of the XPS 13

Clearly, each try to offer a premium expertise in a really budget-friendly bundle. Construct high quality at this value degree goes to be a problem for anybody, so seeing aluminum right here is nice.

You already know that corners should be minimize to achieve this value degree. However it’s onerous to see the place these cuts have been made.

The XPS 13 has a bigger show at 13.4 inches towards the Neo’s 13.0 inches. It manages that in a lighter and smaller physique, which is a real engineering achievement.

Coloration selections differ in persona. The MacBook Neo is available in Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo, whereas the XPS 13 presents two extra restrained choices in Sky and Storm.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Show

The show is without doubt one of the XPS 13’s strongest arguments. It makes use of a 2.5K panel at 2560 by 1600, towards the MacBook Neo’s 2408 by 1506.

Each attain 500 nits of brightness. The XPS 13 covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, the usual utilized in movie and pictures work.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: The show within the Dell is marginally larger, and a touchscreen.

The MacBook Neo covers sRGB, a narrower gamut. For color-accurate inventive work, the XPS 13 has a wider vary.

Refresh fee is one other clear distinction. The XPS 13 runs a variable 30-120Hz panel for smoother movement, whereas the MacBook Neo is fastened at 60Hz.

The XPS 13 show can also be a touchscreen. The MacBook Neo has no contact enter, consistent with Apple’s wider Mac method.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Processing and efficiency

The 2 laptops take basically totally different chip approaches. The MacBook Neo makes use of Apple’s A18 Professional, the identical chip technology discovered within the iPhone 16 Professional.

The XPS 13 makes use of Intel’s Core 5 320, a brand new Wildcat Lake chip constructed on the Intel 18A course of. It has six cores: two efficiency and 4 low-power effectivity cores.

Each chips have a six-core CPU structure. The A18 Professional pairs two efficiency cores with 4 effectivity cores, an analogous break up to the Intel design.

On graphics, the comparability is more durable to name from specs alone. The A18 Professional has a five-core GPU with {hardware} ray tracing, whereas the Intel chip makes use of a two-core Intel Graphics setup.

The neural processors are intently matched on paper. The MacBook Neo has a 16-core Neural Engine able to 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS), and the XPS 13’s NPU delivers 16 TOPS for on-device AI.

It’s price noting the platform AI distinction. The XPS 13’s NPU doesn’t meet Microsoft’s 40-TOPS Copilot+ threshold, so it’s a customary AI PC somewhat than a Copilot+ PC.

From a benchmark perspective, we are able to evaluate the MacBook Neo towards the identical chip used within the XPS in current Geekbench listings for an approximation.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS in contrast: Geekbench single-core outcomes

For single-core efficiency, whereas the MacBook Neo scores round 3,560, the Intel Core 5 320 is proven managing a a lot decrease rating round 2,500.

On the multi-core facet, the Neo will get to a fairly admirable 8,640 and thereabouts, whereas the Intel is extra round 7,780.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS: Geekbench multi-core outcomes

Clearly, there is a efficiency distinction, however finally, both can be able to dealing with on a regular basis computing duties like net browsing with out too many points.

If you happen to’re both to get as a lot efficiency as doable, you are barking up the incorrect tree solely.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Keyboard, digital camera, and audio

Dell features a backlit keyboard as customary throughout the vary. This isn’t the case for the MacBook Neo’s Magic Keyboard.

The Dell keyboard appears slightly underwhelming, however you possibly can’t anticipate every part from a finances pocket book. Similar to the Neo, you desire a keyboard that works decently sufficient, not essentially a premium typing device.

On the subject of trackpads, neither makes use of significantly stellar variations. Apple and Dell have averted utilizing haptics that might’ve made the expertise higher, although Dell does nonetheless present touchscreen management.

Preliminary hands-on from Computex had reviewers complaining in regards to the unevenness of the Dell trackpad. These have been early manufacturing samples, in order that problem might or might not be fastened in time for the total launch, time will inform.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: The XPS 13’s keyboard and trackpad.

Each have 1080p webcams inbuilt. The XPS 13 provides an infrared digital camera for Home windows Hey face login, which the entry MacBook Neo can’t match with out Contact ID.

You will get biometric safety for the MacBook Neo, however you’ll have to pay for the improve to get Contact ID.

Audio is a transparent XPS 13 win on paper. It has a quad-speaker array with 8W peak output and Dolby Atmos, towards the MacBook Neo’s dual-speaker system.

The MacBook Neo counters with a 3.5mm headphone jack. The XPS 13 has no headphone jack, counting on its two USB-C ports and Bluetooth.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Connectivity

The XPS 13 makes use of Wi-Fi 7, the newest customary, whereas the MacBook Neo makes use of Wi-Fi 6E.

In apply, the Wi-Fi 7 benefit is dependent upon having a appropriate router and supporting community.

Each use Bluetooth 6, which can assist with connecting to equipment like a wi-fi mouse.

Wired connectivity is nearer than it seems. The XPS 13 has two USB-C ports with DisplayPort 2.1 and Energy Supply.

The MacBook Neo additionally has two USB-C ports, however they don’t seem to be equal. One is USB 3 at as much as 10Gb/s, whereas the opposite is barely USB 2 at as much as 480Mb/s.

The XPS 13’s pair of quicker USB-C ports is the extra versatile setup. Neither laptop computer consists of Thunderbolt on these entry chips.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Battery

Battery claims are shut between the 2. The MacBook Neo is rated as much as 16 hours of video streaming.

Dell, in the meantime, is focusing on as much as 17 hours of streaming for the XPS 13, examined by streaming from Netflix.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Two colorways for the Dell.

Apple features a 20W USB-C energy adapter within the field, although you possibly can simply purchase extra highly effective variations from Amazon. Dell ships a 65W USB-C adapter with the XPS 13.

Actual-world battery life will rely upon configuration and use. Unbiased testing will settle which holds up higher away from the lab, however that can take time.

MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 – Which to purchase

The 2 notebooks are extra evenly matched than the worth tags recommend. On uncooked options, the XPS 13 leads in a number of areas.

It has a higher-resolution contact show, a wider colour gamut, a variable refresh fee, Wi-Fi 7, quad audio system, double the bottom storage, and a lighter physique with an even bigger display. Dell has clearly constructed this machine to win the spec sheet towards the MacBook Neo.

For college kids aged 16 and up, the XPS 13 is a powerful contender, however solely throughout the back-to-school window. At $599 with 512GB of storage and that function set, it undercuts what the MacBook Neo presents for a similar cash.

For everybody else, the calculation is nearer. The XPS 13 prices $100 extra at $699, and for that improve, you’d get Contact ID and extra storage for the MacBook Neo.

The choice will nonetheless come right down to the platform greater than the {hardware}. Patrons who need macOS, Apple Intelligence, and iPhone Continuity will select the MacBook Neo whatever the spec hole.

That goes the identical for the Mac-curious. Very similar to how the Mac mini was a gateway to the Mac ecosystem for desktops, the MacBook Neo is poised to do the identical in a extra moveable style.

Patrons who need Home windows, a touchscreen, and essentially the most options for the cash will clearly discover the XPS 13 the better-equipped machine. The scholar value makes it particularly compelling for its audience.

Dell is actually gunning for the finances MacBook and has achieved every part it may possibly to match it in each specs and value.

It could have achieved sufficient to make Home windows customers proud of their purchases. It will not have the identical pull for switchers from macOS just like the Neo has for Home windows customers.

The place to purchase Apple’s MacBook Neo and Dell XPS 13

Apple’s budget-friendly MacBook Neo is obtainable now, with discounted costs beginning at $589 at press time.

You may evaluate the newest offers and availability throughout retailers in our MacBook Neo Value Information, which is up to date all through the day.

Dell’s 2026 XPS 13 with an Intel Core processor, in the meantime, is coming quickly, with unique pupil pricing beginning at $599.