Dell has been selling premium thin and light laptops under the XPS 13 brand for more than a decade, but now the company is extending the brand with new lower-cost options meant to compete with Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo.The new Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the company’s thinnest, lightest model yet, and Dell says it ships standard with a few features that Apple’s cheapest laptop lacks, like a backlit keyboard and touchscreen display. Prices start at $699 for consumer models or $599 for student versions.Entry-level models will ship with Intel Core Series 3 5 320 “Wildcat Lake” processor, 8GB of LPDDR5x-7467 memory, and 512GB of storage. That chip features a 6-core CPU with 2 Performances cores and 4 Low-Power Efficiency cores plus dual-core integrated graphics.But Dell still considers this a premium laptop, and higher-priced models support 16GB or 32GB of RAM, up to 1 TB SSD, and up to an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 “Panther Lake” processor. There will also be an option for a smaller 256GB SSD in the future, which raises the possibility of even cheaper models.All models notebook features a 13.4 inch, 2560 x 1600 pixel IPS LCD touchscreen display with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, up to 500 nits brightness, and a variable refresh rate ranging from 30 Hz to 120 Hz.One feature that’s probably going to rub some folks the wrong way is the limited port selection – while the laptop’s two USB Type-C ports support data, video, and charging, they’re the only ports on the notebook. There’s not even a headphone jack – Dell says the laptop is designed for folks who want to use a Bluetooth headset, although I suppose you could also use a USB-C to 3.5mm audio adapter.On models with Intel Panther Lake chips, those ports are Thunderbolt 4, while Wildcat Lake models are USB 3.2 Type-C.The new Dell XPS 13 has an aluminum chassis that measures 12.5mm (0.5 inches) at its thinnest point, and weighs just 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). It comes in “sky” and “storm” color options.Dell says the new XPS 13 laptop will be available for purchase “later this summer.”