Dell XPS 13 (2026) vs. MacBook Neo: which budget laptop I'd buy

The MacBook Neo disrupted the budget laptop market by bringing premium features to a $599 entry price for students ($699 for general consumers). Dell’s new XPS 13 arrives at the same starting prices and aims to counter the Neo with a slimmer XPS design, a larger display and upgraded connectivity, plus a backlit keyboard.

On ports and integration, the XPS 13 places one fast USB-C port on each side with charging and DisplayPort 2.1 support, while the Neo packs fewer, slower USB-C options and keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple’s MacOS 26 Tahoe gives the Neo advantages for iPhone users, including Phone Mirroring, FaceTime, Messaging, and seamless transfers via AirDrop and iCloud.

Customization and portability split the choices further. The XPS 13 is offered with 8GB–32GB of RAM and 256GB–1TB of storage, and future configurations may add faster Intel processors and other hardware options. The Neo is more locked down with 8GB of unified memory and limited storage choices, but its clear, focused configuration is part of its appeal.

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