The New Dell XPS 13 Starts At $699, And It Includes Everything That Apple’s MacBook Neo Omits

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TL; DR
  • Dell unveiled the XPS 13 (DX13260) at Computex 2026 as its thinnest and lightest XPS laptop ever.
  • It weighs 2.2 lbs and measures 12.7mm thin, with a 13.4-inch 2.5K 120Hz touchscreen. 
  • The laptop starts at $699 for general buyers and $599 for students aged 16 and older in the US from June 2026.

Dell has been making Windows ultrabooks since before the term was coined, and at Computex 2026, the company launched what is arguably its most important XPS in over a decade. Spoiler alert: it’s because of Apple’s MacBook Neo. 

The new XPS 13 (model DX13260) is the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop Dell has ever built. More importantly, for the first time in the lineup’s history, it starts at a price that makes it a genuine challenger to the MacBook Neo, rather than sitting as a premium alternative. 

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Dell XPS 13 2026: Pricing & Availability

The XPS 13 launches in June 2026 in the Sky colorway. The company has even followed a two-tier pricing strategy: $699 for standard buyers and $599 for students aged 16 and older.

The $699 base model ships with the Intel Core 5 320 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 512GB SSD, which is pretty much what the MacBook Neo offers at the same price. However, what the Neo doesn’t offer is a 16GB RAM option (also available at launch on the Core 5 chip). 

The top-specced variant, 32GB configuration, and 1TB storage are reserved for the Core Ultra 7 355 variant, which will arrive later this year. 

Unfortunately, Dell has not confirmed Indian pricing or release date for the new XPS 13, but based on historical patterns, the XPS 13 typically arrives in India a few months after its US launch. 

Also Read: Unreleased Google Pixel Watch 5 Found on the Ocean Floor, and Yes, It Was Apparently Still Working

Dell XPS 13 2026: Key Features

The 13.4-inch display features 2560 x 1600 resolution and supports a 120Hz variable refresh rate, 500 nits peak brightness, and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. It also supports Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR 400, and touch support. 

That is a significantly more capable panel than the one on Neo. At 0.9 kilograms and just 12.7mm thick, the XPS 13 is meaningfully lighter than both the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air, which each weigh 2.7 pounds. 

The chassis is CNC-machined aluminum, the same material Dell uses across the entire XPS lineup, with a dual-fan cooling system fitted inside despite the slim profile (something that the Neo lacks).

Several features that the Neo omits entirely are standard here: backlit keyboard, a touchscreen, multi-monitor support, and configurations up to 32GB of RAM (though the last one costs more). The laptop sports four speakers (8W total with Dolby Atmos), dual USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, while the Core Ultra model upgrades to dual Thunderbolt 4. 

Also Read: Samsung’s Wider Galaxy Z Fold8 Spotted in Public for the First Time

Dell claims up to 17 hours of battery life during video streaming, which, if you pay close attention, is an hour longer than what Apple claims for the Neo. 

Dell XPS 13 2026: Tech Specifications

SpecificationDetails
ModelDX13260
ProcessorIntel Core 5 320 (Wildcat Lake) at launch; Intel Core Ultra 7 355 (Panther Lake) post-launch
RAM8GB, 16GB LPDDR5x-7467 (Core 5); 32GB LPDDR5x-7467 (Core Ultra only)
Storage512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (Core 5); 1TB (Core Ultra only); 256GB post-launch
Display13.4-inch, 2560×1600 (2.5K), touch, 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, DisplayHDR 400, 30–120Hz VRR, Dolby Vision, anti-glare
GPUIntel integrated graphics
Webcam1080p + IR (Windows Hello)
Audio4 speakers, 8W total, Dolby Atmos
Connectivity (Core 5)Dual USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
Connectivity (Core Ultra)Dual Thunderbolt 4
WirelessWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Battery52Wh
Battery life (claimed)Up to 17 hours (video streaming)
Dimensions296.9 × 200.66 × 12.7mm (11.69 × 7.9 × 0.5 inches)
Weight2.2 lbs (0.9 kg)
ColorsSky (at launch), Storm (post-launch)
Starting price (US)$699 (standard), $599 (students 16+)
India pricingNot confirmed
LaunchJune 2026 (US)

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Shikhar MehrotraShikhar Mehrotra
Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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