After first teasing it earlier this month, Dell’s new XPS 13 is now officially available. The launch comes just in time for back-to-school shopping, giving students, teachers, and professionals another option in the premium ultraportable category
Designed to take on Apple’s MacBook Neo, the XPS 13 comes with a limited-time introductory pricing starting at $700 for most buyers and $600 for eligible students and teachers. While the MacBook Neo has generated plenty of attention, the XPS 13 offers more features while remaining in the affordable range. At least, for now.
Premium Dell Design Without the Premium Price
The XPS 13 features an aluminum unibody chassis, putting it on the same build quality as the Neo. It is just 12.7mm thick and weighs only 2.2 pounds, making it the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop Dell has ever made.
However, what makes this laptop special is that, unlike many budget-friendly laptops, Dell hasn’t stripped away premium touches. The XPS 13 includes a backlit keyboard, a mechanical touchpad, quad speakers, Windows Hello support, and Intel Wi-Fi 7 as standard equipment.
A Display Built for Work and Entertainment
One of our favorite things about the XPS 13 is its 2.5K touchscreen display. It is noticeably better than what you get on the Neo, covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut for vibrant colors while supporting a variable refresh rate between 30Hz and 120Hz.
That means you’ll enjoy smoother scrolling and animations while conserving battery life when higher refresh rates aren’t needed. And speaking of battery life, this laptop can last up to 17 hours of video playback, making it well-suited for full days on campus, long flights, or extended work sessions.
Built to Handle Everyday Productivity
The XPS 13 launches with Intel Core Series 3 processors, while Intel Core Ultra Series 3 configurations are expected to arrive later this summer. Memory configurations scale up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, giving you plenty of room for multitasking, productivity software, web browsing, content consumption, and creative work. And a dual-fan cooling system helps keep temperatures in check while maintaining quiet operation during heavy workloads.
Available Now with Student Discounts
The XPS 13 is available now, starting at $700, while eligible students aged 16 and older, as well as teachers, can purchase the entry-level configuration for just $600. You can only choose the Sky finish today, while the Storm color option and Intel Core Ultra Series 3 models are expected to arrive later this summer.
If you’re weighing an affordable Windows laptop against Apple’s MacBook Neo, Dell’s newest XPS 13 is an excellent choice. Its combination of lightweight design, long battery life, touchscreen display, and student-friendly pricing makes it one of the strongest alternatives available now.