Dell continues its XPS Renaissance with the launch of a redesigned macbook neo buyers.
He completely new system It’s billed as the thinnest and lightest Dell is also keen to tout features conspicuously missing from Apple’s system, including a 2560 x 1600 30-120Hz touchscreen with DCI-P3 color accuracy, a backlit keyboard, cooling fans, and Wi-Fi 7.
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Dell
- Operating system
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Windows 11 Home
Performance is also an advantage over the MacBook Neo, depending on which model you purchase. The new XPS 13 starts with a Core Series 3 CPU, the Core 5 320, whose six cores help it, in theory, outperform the iPhone-derived A18 Pro in the Neo. However, you can also opt for the XPS with a Core Ultra 7 355 based on the Core Ultra Series 3, with upgrades equally available to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage depending on configuration. In other words, you can use the XPS for more demanding tasks if you’re willing to pay.
You’ll get two full-featured USB-C ports with the base model (one of the Neo is limited to USB 2 speeds). Step up to the Core Ultra version and you’ll get two Thunderbolt 4 connectors. All versions have 1080p webcams and Windows Hello support.
Dell claims 17 hours of battery life from the XPS 13 when continuously streaming 4K videos from Netflix. Real-world usage will likely vary. It has a larger 52Wh battery versus the Neo’s 36.5Wh, but the Intel chips consume more power.
New Dell XPS 13 price and release date
The cheapest XPS ever
Dell is betting that the XPS 13’s price will easily distance it from the MacBook Neo. The new model will be available in June starting at $699 for most buyers and $599 for educational customers ages 16 and older. You’ll have to make do with 8GB of RAM, the Core 5 320, and a 512GB SSD (256GB ships “after launch”) for that price, but that could still make it a better value than the Neo, which starts at $599 with a reduced feature set.
Your choice of processor dictates your other upgrade paths. Use the base Core 5 and you’ll be limited to a maximum of 16GB of RAM and a 512GB drive. The 32GB memory and 1TB storage options are limited to the Core Ultra 7 models which won’t ship until summer.
However, this approach makes the new XPS 13 the cheapest new XPS model to date, according to Dell. It’s also much more affordable than the refreshed XPS 14, which starts at $2,049. That’s a huge gap, but it also leaves the
Dell validates the MacBook Neo while criticizing it
Joins Intel and Microsoft to take on Apple’s laptop
Dell has taken the unusual step of not only comparing the redesigned XPS 13 to the MacBook Neo, but also complementing it. Apple’s new laptop is a “capable machine” that confirms a “real appetite for premium quality at affordable prices,” Dell says. The difference, of course, is that Dell believes it offers better value.
Still, the announcement underscores how sharply the Windows PC industry has reacted to the Neo since its debut in March. ASUS co-CEO SY Hsu called it a “shock” to the market and hinted that his company and other major vendors were discussing how they would respond.
That became clear in May, when Microsoft commissioned a report aimed at make MacBook look worse than their Windows counterparts. Intel, in turn, unveiled a Project Firefly strategy that called on PC makers to improve the designs and prices of budget laptops with the Neo in mind. Fair. This week, Qualcomm introduced a Snapdragon C Chip Designed for “entry level” laptops.
The XPS 13, Core Series 3, and similar hardware offerings were in development long before Apple introduced the Neo. However, it is clear that they are positioning themselves differently in light of the new competition. Companies like Dell and Intel don’t want to risk losing ground, and that means recognizing what customers buy.
