Dell unveiled its latest XPS 13 laptop, starting at $699, with a student-discounted price of $599, directly challenging Apple's MacBook Neo. The device features a 13.4-inch touchscreen, 8GB of RAM, and a six-core Intel Core 5 320 chip from the Wildcat Lake series. It represents Dell's cheapest XPS 13 iteration to date, according to multiple sources.
The announcement follows Dell's teaser at CES earlier this year and marks a strategic push into the budget premium laptop segment. By pricing aggressively against Apple's Neo line, Dell aims to capture cost-conscious consumers who still want high-end design. The XPS line has long been a flagship for Dell, and this model strips down costs without sacrificing core features.
Key specifications include 8GB of RAM as a starting configuration, a six-core Intel processor, and a 13.4-inch touchscreen display, as reported by The Verge. Sources note the temporary $599 student discount makes it particularly attractive for education buyers. Pricing and availability vary by region, with the full $699 price applying after the promotional period.
Industry observers see this as a direct response to Apple's growing dominance in the thin-and-light laptop market, particularly in education. The MacBook Neo has been a strong seller in schools, and Dell's move could intensify competition. Analysts will watch whether the lower RAM ceiling—8GB versus Apple's base 8GB—proves a deterrent for power users.
Critics point out that 8GB of RAM may limit multitasking for some users, potentially ceding ground to Apple's optimized memory architecture. The MacBook Neo also benefits from tight integration with Apple's ecosystem, a factor Dell cannot easily replicate.