ZDNET Backs $599 MacBook Neo Over Dell XPS 13 in Budget Laptop Faceoff

4 articles · Updated · ZDNet · May 31

ZDNET recommends Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo over Dell’s newly announced XPS 13, saying the Neo is the clearer pick for buyers who want a straightforward budget laptop.
Dell’s XPS 13 matches the Neo’s student starting price and beats it on paper in several areas, including a 13.4-inch 2.5K touch display, broader RAM and storage options, and more flexible USB-C port placement.
Apple’s edge comes from ecosystem integration and simplicity: the Neo keeps iPhone-linked features such as AirDrop, FaceTime, messaging and phone mirroring while avoiding the configuration complexity of Dell’s lineup.
The comparison is based on published specifications rather than hands-on testing of the 2026 XPS 13, which ZDNET said could still prove polished despite using lower-power Intel Wildcat Lake chips in its cheapest versions.
Dell plans higher-end XPS 13 variants later this year with Intel Panther Lake processors, underscoring that its $599 model targets the Neo directly while pricier versions may move beyond the budget segment.

Can Dell's superior hardware overcome Apple's ecosystem lock-in to win the new budget laptop war?

In a memory-starved market, is Apple's 8GB MacBook Neo a smart bargain or a planned bottleneck?

With new 'Right to Repair' laws looming, are the sealed designs of the Neo and XPS 13 already obsolete?