Dell Technologies has launched its most affordable XPS laptop, the new XPS 13, as the company intensifies competition with Apple in the growing market for budget-friendly premium laptops aimed at students and young professionals.
Priced at $699, the Dell XPS 13 will be available for as low as $599 for students aged 16 and above during the back-to-school season. The launch positions Dell directly against Apple’s MacBook Neo, which debuted in March with a starting price of $599 and a discounted student price of $500.
Dell said the XPS 13 is its thinnest and lightest laptop to date, weighing approximately half a pound less than the MacBook Neo while offering a larger display. The company believes the combination of portability, performance, and affordability will help attract consumers seeking alternatives to Apple’s ecosystem, Reuters news report said.
The launch reflects Dell’s strategy to expand its presence across all consumer PC price segments. Earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Dell announced plans to revive its popular XPS lineup and compete more aggressively in the mainstream laptop market.
Jeff Clarke, Chief Operating Officer at Dell, acknowledged Apple’s role in validating demand for affordable premium laptops. He said students and consumers deserve better computing options at accessible price points, highlighting Dell’s commitment to offering high-quality devices without premium pricing.
The new XPS 13 arrives as PC manufacturers navigate rising memory chip costs and expectations of slower global PC shipment growth in the second half of the year. By introducing a lower-cost premium device, Dell aims to strengthen its market position in a price-sensitive environment.
Dell said the XPS 13 powered by Intel Core Series 3 processors will be available soon. A higher-end version featuring Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, along with the new Storm color option, is expected to launch later this summer.
The company hopes the XPS 13 will appeal to students, first-time laptop buyers, and budget-conscious professionals looking for a lightweight premium Windows device that can compete directly with Apple’s latest offerings.
Dell has positioned the latest XPS 13 as a premium ultra-portable laptop designed for professionals, students, creators, and business users seeking a balance of performance, mobility, and AI-powered computing. The laptop combines a lightweight design, advanced processors, high-resolution displays, and extended battery life.
The newest Dell XPS 13 models are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors or Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus platforms, enabling AI-enhanced experiences through integrated neural processing units (NPUs). Dell is also positioning select configurations as Copilot+ PCs, offering support for Microsoft’s latest AI features in Windows 11.
One of the major highlights is the 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display, which features ultra-thin bezels for a near-borderless viewing experience. Users can choose from multiple display options, including Full HD+, QHD+, 2.5K touch, and OLED 3K panels with up to 120Hz refresh rates, 500 nits brightness, 100 percent DCI-P3 color coverage, and Eyesafe certification for reduced blue light exposure. Certain OLED variants also support VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 technology.
Dell has equipped the XPS 13 with LPDDR5X memory, offering up to 32GB RAM and SSD storage options up to 2TB. The Intel-based models feature Intel Arc graphics, while Snapdragon variants integrate Qualcomm Adreno graphics for improved efficiency and AI acceleration.
The premium design includes a CNC-machined aluminum chassis, seamless glass haptic touchpad, backlit keyboard, and minimalist aesthetics. Dell says the XPS series is built using high-quality lightweight materials aimed at durability and mobility. The laptop also includes a Full HD 1080p camera, dual-array microphones, and advanced audio capabilities for video conferencing and content consumption.
Performance enhancements include sustained power delivery of up to 28W on select models, fast LPDDR5X memory, AI-driven optimization, and support for multitasking workloads. Dell has also focused on battery efficiency, with reviews highlighting strong battery life in both Intel and Snapdragon-powered variants.
Connectivity features include USB-C and Thunderbolt support, high-speed wireless connectivity, and fast SSD storage, making the XPS 13 suitable for productivity, content creation, and hybrid work environments.
According to Dell, the XPS lineup remains one of its flagship premium laptop families, targeting users who require a combination of AI capabilities, premium design, immersive display technology, and lightweight portability.
The latest Omdia report said Dell maintained its strong growth momentum in Q1-2026 as compared with the previous quarter, recording a 7.8 percent year-over-year increase in PC shipments to 10.3 million units. The performance highlights continued demand across Dell’s commercial and consumer PC segments, helping the company strengthen its position in the global PC market.
Apple also delivered solid growth, with shipments rising 5.4 percent year-over-year and capturing an 11 percent market share. The growth was driven by strong demand for the MacBook Air lineup, along with the initial channel sell-in of the newly launched MacBook Neo, which contributed to higher shipment volumes during the quarter.
RAJANI BABURAJAN
