The Dell XPS 13 is the first real competitor to the MacBook Neo
Dell has released a redesigned 2026 XPS 13 laptop aimed at competing with Apple's MacBook Neo. The device features high-quality hardware and strong performance for its price point, though it lacks a headphone jack.
Why it matters
This release represents a significant shift for Dell's XPS brand, attempting to reclaim market share in the premium thin-and-light laptop segment.
Dell’s last XPS 13 was meant to be a farewell before the company sunset the entire XPS brand. But it was a bitter ending, and an overpriced one as well. Earlier this year, Dell resurrected the XPS name with the excellent (and very expensive) XPS 14 and 16. And now, it’s reinvented the XPS 13 as a much more affordable thin-and-light to take on the MacBook Neo.
Call it another comeback. The 2026 XPS 13 has the nicest hardware you’ll find in a new $700 laptop outside of Apple’s Neo. The core components — the screen, keyboard, trackpad, and speakers — are all great or excellent. It’s an exquisite package in a sleek and very thin ultra-portable.
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