Dell · Reviewed by Dave2D · Published 2026-06-16
Based on a review by Dave2D (accessed 2026-06-16).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about excellent machined build quality, feels premium for its price — just accept speakers are significantly worse than the macbook neo's.
The reviewer concludes that the entry-level Dell XPS 13, priced around $600-$700, offers exceptional value and is the "best $600 Windows laptop on the market." He states that the overall user experience is "markedly better" than the MacBook Neo at this specific price point, though he cautions that this value is dependent on its time-limited introductory pricing.
This review provides a comprehensive comparison between the entry-level Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Neo. It covers various aspects, including build quality, display, audio, webcam, keyboard, trackpad, performance under different workloads, port selection, battery life, and fan noise.
The Dell XPS 13 is the best budget Windows laptop for students and light computing tasks due to its excellent build quality and backlit keyboard at a competitive price. It features a notably better screen with superior colors, a higher refresh rate, and touch capability compared to the MacBook Neo. However, its speakers and webcam are significantly worse than the Neo's, and it experiences more frequent hiccups during RAM-intensive multitasking. If you need a premium-feeling laptop for general productivity at an entry-level price, this is a strong contender. If your workflow includes demanding applications or requires high-quality audio and video calls, consider alternatives or a higher-spec model.
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hands_on_demopositivet=03:00–03:20
The reviewer noted that the XPS 13 is very well built and feels exactly like an XPS product should, including being one-hand openable. He was surprised by this given its price point.
comparisonnegativet=03:20–03:30
When comparing the XPS 13 side-by-side with the Neo, the reviewer felt that the Neo seemed a little more durable, suggesting it might take less damage if dropped.
reviewer_claimpositivet=03:38–03:45
The reviewer highlighted that the XPS 13 features a machined build, which is a premium characteristic not typically found in $600 laptops that usually feature plastic or stamped metal.
comparisonpositivet=03:47–03:55
The screen on the XPS 13 is definitively better than the MacBook Neo's, with measurably better colors despite similar brightness levels.
comparisonpositivet=03:55–04:00
The XPS 13's screen boasts a slightly bigger panel, thinner bezels, a higher refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and touch capability, features that collectively make it superior to the Neo's display.
comparisonnegativet=04:30–04:45
Despite having four speakers compared to the Neo's two, the XPS 13's speakers sound significantly worse than those on the MacBook Neo, which was a disappointment to the reviewer.
hands_on_demonegativet=04:55–05:05
The reviewer demonstrated and compared the webcam and microphone from both laptops, concluding that the MacBook Neo's camera and mic are "significantly better" than the XPS 13's.
hands_on_demopositivet=05:07–05:15
The XPS 13's keyboard is described as excellent, offering a solid typing experience with responsive keys. Its backlighting is a key feature that makes it superior to the MacBook Neo's keyboard.
reviewer_claimpositivet=05:25–05:55
The reviewer stressed the critical importance of keyboard backlighting for products aimed at students and for scenarios in dim lighting, expressing satisfaction that the XPS 13 includes this feature unlike the Neo.
hands_on_demopositivet=05:55–06:15
The XPS 13 features a really good mechanical trackpad, similar to the Neo, which feels nice and tracks very nicely according to the reviewer.
hands_on_demopositivet=06:30–06:55
For normal or light computing tasks such as web browsing or document editing, the XPS 13 feels super responsive and provides a smooth experience, largely comparable to the MacBook Neo.
comparisonnegativet=06:55–07:20
When running RAM-intensive applications in the background, the XPS 13 tends to hiccup a little more frequently and noticeably than the MacBook Neo.
comparisonnegativet=07:20–08:00
In an unrealistic heavy workflow scenario involving multiple videos, video editing, games, and many Chrome tabs, the MacBook Neo handles the workload "way better," indicating that the XPS 13's RAM limitation feels more potent.
visual_inspectionnegativet=08:20–08:50
The XPS 13 lacks an audio jack, which the reviewer noted could be problematic for users requiring precise audio timing or when USB-C ports are occupied.
comparisonpositivet=08:55–09:05
The XPS 13 exhibits slightly better battery life for straight video playback compared to the MacBook Neo, while battery performance for light workloads is generally similar between the two.
The reviewer states that the XPS 13 is "surprisingly good" for its $700 entry-level price and the "best $600 Windows laptop on the market." He emphasizes that no other company offers a comparable Windows laptop at this price point.
The reviewer found the XPS 13's screen "definitely better" than the Neo's, noting measurably better colors, a slightly bigger panel, thinner bezels, and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports touch, unlike the Neo.
The reviewer praises the XPS 13's keyboard as "excellent" with a "solid" typing experience and responsive keys. He highlights the backlighting as a critical feature, especially for students or use in dim environments, making it "way better" than the Neo's keyboard.
The reviewer expresses disappointment, stating the XPS 13's four speakers sound "significantly worse" than the Neo's, contrary to his expectations. He also notes the absence of an audio jack, which could be an issue for users needing precise audio with wired headphones.
For normal computing like web browsing, the XPS 13 feels "super responsive" and smooth, comparable to the Neo. However, with RAM-intensive applications or very heavy, unrealistic multitasking, the XPS 13 experiences more noticeable hiccups and handles the workflow less effectively than the MacBook Neo.
The reviewer directly compared the webcam and microphone from both laptops and concluded that the MacBook Neo's are "significantly better" than the XPS 13's.
The reviewer noted that the XPS 13's battery life is "better... by a little bit" for straight video playback. For general light workloads, the battery performance of both laptops is "pretty similar."
60/100 source quality
Dave2D reviews the new Dell XPS 13 (entry-level, 8GB model), comparing it directly to the MacBook Neo. He praises the XPS 13's premium build quality for its price, its superior screen with a higher refresh rate and touch capabilities, and its excellent backlit keyboard. However, he criticizes its significantly worse speakers and webcam/mic compared to the Neo. While performance for light tasks is comparable, the Neo handles RAM-intensive workloads more effectively. The XPS 13 also notably lacks an audio jack. The reviewer emphasizes that the XPS 13's strong value proposition is primarily at its current introductory price.
Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.
This page converts Dave2D's review of the Dell XPS 13 into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
Brand relationship disclosed as: gifted