Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Neo: A Surprising Upset
A comparative review of the Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Neo explores how the two laptops compete at the $699 price point. The author finds that the Dell XPS 13 offers superior portability and design features despite the MacBook's strong market presence.
Why it matters
This analysis helps consumers navigate the increasingly competitive budget-premium laptop market where traditional price-to-performance boundaries are blurring.
Then, the Dell XPS 13 showed up on my doorstep, and it understood the assignment. For many reasons, this was the one I'd been waiting for. But the question remains: Is it actually the better budget laptop? The answer surprised me when I dug into the testing.
Hidden Compromises
When the MacBook Neo was originally announced, it was a shocker. Apple coming in at the $599 price point for the base configuration felt unreal. Apple had never in its history brought the MacBook to such a low price. Even at its new $699 starting price, it's in unprecedented territory. Importantly, this encroached on the territory of Windows laptops, where it has traditionally had a monopoly.
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