Dell launches $699 XPS 13 to challenge Apple’s budget MacBook Neo

Dell Technologies has unveiled its most affordable XPS laptop yet, launching a new XPS 13 model aimed directly at students and young professionals as competition intensifies in the lower-cost premium laptop market.

The device, which starts at $699 and drops to $599 for eligible students during the US back-to-school season, is Dell’s latest attempt to challenge Apple’s recently launched MacBook Neo and expand its footprint across all segments of the consumer PC market.

The move signals an increasingly aggressive battle between major computer manufacturers as they target cost-conscious buyers amid slowing PC demand and rising component costs.

Dell Takes Aim at Apple’s Budget Laptop Push

Dell’s latest XPS 13 arrives just months after Apple introduced the MacBook Neo, a lower-priced MacBook lineup launched in March with a starting price of $599 and a discounted student price of $500.

According to Dell, the new XPS 13 is designed to offer students and everyday consumers a premium laptop experience without the higher price tag typically associated with flagship devices.

The company said the laptop will be its thinnest and lightest XPS model to date, weighing approximately 225 grams less than the MacBook Neo while also featuring a larger display.

Dell Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke acknowledged Apple’s influence on the market but said growing demand for affordable premium devices creates room for competition.

“I’ll give them credit. It’s a good product and it validates the market we’ve been talking about. Students and consumers deserve better options at accessible price points, and we agree,” Clarke said.

Reviving the XPS Brand Amid Tougher Market Conditions

The launch forms part of Dell’s broader strategy to compete across every price category in the personal computer market.

Earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the company announced plans to revive its well-known XPS lineup and use the brand to strengthen its position in the premium consumer segment.

The strategy comes as PC manufacturers prepare for expected pressure on global shipments during the second half of the year due to increasing memory chip prices and broader economic uncertainty.

Dell hopes the affordable XPS 13 can help attract new buyers while maintaining its reputation for premium hardware design.

Intel-Powered Models to Roll Out in Phases

The company said the first version of the XPS 13 will feature Intel Core Series 3 processors, with availability expected soon.

A higher-end version powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips and offered in a new “Storm” colour option will be released in the coming months.

The launch places Dell in direct competition not only with Apple’s MacBook Neo but also with Chromebooks and other low-cost Windows laptops targeting education and entry-level productivity users.

As laptop makers battle for market share in an increasingly competitive environment, Dell’s decision to bring the XPS brand into the sub-$700 category highlights how manufacturers are adapting to changing consumer spending habits while trying to protect growth in a slowing PC market.

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