(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
There was a time when a budget laptop meant cheap but with the release of the MacBook Neo, those days are thankfully over. Here at Computex 2026, I’ve been able to see firsthand how PC makers are responding and so far, Dell’s new XPS 13 is the most impressive MacBook Neo alternative yet.After briefly discontinuing its iconic XPS brand, Dell brought it back at the beginning of this year. Now, alongside the new XPS 13, the company is also releasing a more powerful XPS 14 alongside its new XPS 16. While I also got to go hands-on with both of those more powerful and premium laptops, just like with the Neo, the XPS 13 feels like a breath of fresh air when it comes to the best laptops for students.With a starting price of $699, it is slightly more expensive than the MacBook Neo. However, to make up for this, Dell is throwing in a few extras that Apple’s more affordable MacBook lacks like a backlit keyboard, a touchscreen and two full-featured USB-C ports (with one on either side).Here’s why I think the XPS 13 could be the ideal MacBook Neo alternative for Windows users who aren’t ready to switch to macOS and one of the best budget laptops, especially if you prefer to travel light.Dell XPS 13 vs Macbook Neo: SpecsSwipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell - Column 0 Dell XPS 13MacBook NeoPrice$699 starting ($599 for students)$599 (256GB) / $699 (512GB) ($499 for students)Display13.4-inch InfinityEdge Touch (120Hz, 500 nits)13.0-inch Liquid Retina (60Hz, 500 nits)ProcessorIntel Core 5 / Ultra 7 Series 3Apple A18 Pro (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU)Memory8GB LPDDR5x (Up to 32GB)8GB Unified MemoryStorage512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (Up to 1TB)256GB / 512GB SSDPorts2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4)2 x USB-C (One port limited to USB 2.0)ConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6Dimensions 11.69 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches11.71 x 8.12 x 0.5 inchesWeight2.2 Pounds2.7 PoundsDell’s take on the Neo
