Dell XPS 13 Outperforms Apple MacBook Neo in Budget Laptop Showdown
A side-by-side test finds the Dell XPS 13 offers better display, ports, storage and portability than the $699 MacBook Neo, making it the stronger value at under $1,000.
In testing the Dell XPS 13 against Apple’s MacBook Neo, both priced near $699, the Dell model consistently edges out its competitor. The XPS 13 is half a pound lighter and features a 13.4-inch display with thin bezels, a 120-Hz touchscreen, and brighter, more saturated colors than the Neo’s 13-inch screen. Connectivity favors Dell, with two USB-C ports that support charging, 4K output and 10 Gbps transfer, whereas the Neo includes an older USB-2 port and lacks a headphone jack.
Storage starts at 512 GB on the XPS 13 versus 256 GB on the base Neo, and Dell’s SSD is faster. Both laptops run 8 GB RAM, but Dell offers a $100 upgrade to 16 GB, while the Neo’s only upgrade adds Touch ID and more storage. Battery life is comparable, and the XPS 13’s fan-cooled design handles heavy loads, unlike the Neo’s passive cooling. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 delivers a more premium experience at a similar price point.
Why it matters
Consumers looking for a premium, affordable laptop can get better specs and flexibility with the Dell XPS 13 than with Apple's low-priced MacBook Neo.
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