Pros
Cons
The Dell XPS 13 DX13260 is a compact 2026 Windows ultraportable aimed at budget-conscious students and professionals. Its one-kilogram metal chassis combines premium styling with strong portability. The laptop features a 13.4-inch 2560-by-1440 touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate. An Intel Core 5 320 processor, integrated Xe3 graphics, and 16GB of DDR5 memory support everyday productivity and light gaming. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C charging, and a backlit keyboard provide modern functionality. Reviewers consider it a compelling MacBook Neo alternative, though fixed memory, limited ports, and modest graphics are notable compromises.
Specifications
Primary Camera: 2 MPix
Price comparison
Average of 15 scores (from 32 reviews)
Reviews for the Dell XPS 13 (2026) DX13260
Source: Engadget

Regardless, if you're in the market for a super sleek and extremely portable productivity machine and have a little wiggle room in your spending, the XPS 13 is a great option.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/29/2026
Source: Techradar

Positioned as a rival to Apple's new budget-friendly MacBook Neo, the Dell XPS 13 returns for 2026 with an all-new design and lower price point. It's a bold move, and while Dell doesn't quite stick the landing, the end result is still a solid choice of laptop for anyone who prefers Windows over macOS.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/21/2026
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 60% performance: 60% mobility: 90% workmanship: 80%
Source: Hot Hardware

The Dell XPS 13 is a winner in my opinion. With its premium build, very good display, excellent battery life, compact form factor and affordable pricing (starting at $699; $599 for students), it’s a highly competitive answer to the MacBook Neo and a solid entrant into the Windows laptop ecosystem that won’t break the bank.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/16/2026
Source: Andrew Marc David

We compare the new Dell XPS 13 Panther Lake model against the Wildcat Lake version to see if the upgrade is worth it. This hands-on analysis breaks down how the latest architecture affects overall laptop performance, thermal management, and daily usability. We test the display, keyboard, touchpad, and battery life to determine which model suits your specific workflow, whether you are a student or a professional needing a reliable machine.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/12/2026
Source: How to Geek

I’ve kind of already given away the answer, but yes, I think you should buy the Dell XPS 13, so long as you make sure to temper your expectations some. The higher end models will most surely handle more demanding tasks like video or photo editing better than my entry-level model. However, if you just need a solid laptop to browse Facebook Marketplace, watch YouTube or Netflix, and read How-To Geek, then the XPS 13 is a fantastic choice.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/05/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: CNN underscored

It’s been a struggle to find a PC laptop that’s good for getting work done, looks sleek and doesn’t break the bank. The Dell XPS 13 is also the perfect rejoinder to Apple’s MacBook Neo. While it’s not singing a chorus of “anything you can do I can do better,” it is a declaration that PC laptops can put up a fight in this newly competitive $700 laptop space.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/28/2026
Source: CNet

If you’re a student with a laptop budget of less than $1,000, then I would recommend either the XPS 13 or MacBook Neo. As I outlined, both have their strengths and weaknesses, but both are exceptional examples of what a budget laptop can be. And spending an extra $200 to double the RAM to 16GB is the smart play for the XPS 13.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/26/2026
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: T3

I can't remember rooting for a laptop like I was for the XPS 13 before testing it – the hands-on time I had in Taipei at Computex impressed me so significantly that I thought we could have a true all-time great on our hands. The XPS 13 is, undoubtedly, the most attractive compact Windows laptop on the market right now from a design standpoint.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/24/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: XDA Developers

The Dell XPS 13 nails the value proposition out of the gate, with acceptable trade-offs to get to this price point. Okay, except for one. Putting 8 GB of RAM in any laptop won't cut it in the long run, and I'd recommend getting the 16 GB option. If you do that, you'll get a slim, stylish, and fairly competent device that should last for years.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/24/2026
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Reviewed.com

Starting at $599 (for students) or $699 (for everyone else), the Dell XPS 13 (DX13260) (available at Dell) is a heck of a buy for those on a budget. From its small and light form factor and premium materials to its responsive touchscreen and backlit keyboard, this laptop impressed in multiple areas.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/19/2026
Source: Techaeris

The new Dell XPS 13 brings a strategic repositioning of Dell’s iconic ultraportable line. Starting at roughly $700 (for the base version) and $600 for students, this generation departs from the hyper-expensive, experimental designs of recent years and pivots toward delivering a sleek, premium-feeling, thin-and-light PC that remains accessible to students, everyday productivity users, and budget-conscious professionals.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/18/2026
Rating: Total score: 98%
Source: Gadgetbyte Nepal

Okay, I guess it’s time to wrap things up. And honestly, I was pretty invested in this comparison too because I genuinely wanted to see which one would come out on top. I can’t remember the last time a Windows vs Mac comparison was this close. After everything, the XPS 13 and MacBook Neo are tied with four wins each.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/17/2026
Source: Make Use Of

This Dell XPS 13 has quickly become my favorite PC to use at home and while on the go. It's small, light, thin, and capable enough for everyday tasks like writing, editing, light gaming, and video calls.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/14/2026
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: PC Mag

Set aside a few caveats, and the XPS 13 succeeds swimmingly from two angles. It’s a toned-down XPS laptop that maintains just enough of the brand’s signature features while coming in at a significantly lower cost. Put aside your XPS expectations altogether, and it’s still an attractive budget laptop that stands above most. Its position as the clear MacBook Neo alternative for Windows users, from its feature set to the build quality, is earned.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/13/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Engadget

I know I've been spoiled by living with systems with 32GB and even 64GB of RAM, but I'd have a hard time recommending anyone spend $700 on a PC just to have an experience like this. That's especially true when you can't even upgrade the RAM down the line, as you could with older laptops.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/11/2026
Rating: Total score: 75%
Source: PC World

The Dell XPS 13 is a good budget laptop, but the crown remains (for now) affixed to the MacBook Neo’s head. The XPS 13 still makes a compelling case and it’s important to not lose sight of that. You’re getting a lightweight laptop with a gorgeous display and a comfortable keyboard–that’s an incredible deal for just $699.99, especially if you’re not totally sold on switching to macOS.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/11/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Tom's Guide

Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 08/03/2026
Source: Lon.TV

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/31/2026
Source: Matthew Moniz

Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 07/30/2026
Source: Matthew Moniz

Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 07/30/2026
Source: Tom's Guide

If I haven't already made it clear, I'll say it again: The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the best budget Windows laptop right now. I know someone will eventually come to challenge the MacBook Neo, but I didn't expect it to happen this fast or this well.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/25/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Gizmodo

The latest rendition of the XPS 13 is a wonderful little PC for the masses. It’s the kind of notebook that once and for all proves laptop makers don’t need to cheap out by creating flimsy pieces of silicon sandwiched between two Fisher-Price plastic covers to keep prices down.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Andrew Marc David

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/22/2026
Source: PC Mag

The XPS 13 has several advantages over the MacBook Neo, and I think it justifies the extra cost in many use cases. As a head-to-head comparison, though, I’m giving the edge to the Neo. It makes some concessions to keep the cost down, but they're acceptable—they don't compromise the concept of the laptop, or the hardware itself.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 06/17/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Dave 2D

Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 06/16/2026
Source: Andrew Marc David

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/06/2026
Source: PC Mag

The new XPS 13 isn’t merely a foil to the Neo—it’s a worthy budget option in its own right. College students, for example, are likely to love this build for the price. It’s fun, highly portable, and stylish. As a MacBook alternative, even if Windows versus macOS is often the true deciding factor, the XPS has plenty to offer. I appreciate the metal build, roomy touch screen, lighter body, and key backlighting. If you aren’t deciding just by operating system, the XPS 13 makes a compelling case for itself. Dell will also sell more expensive XPS 13 versions with Intel Panther Lake processors at a later date. The Wildcat Lake version launches this month, and Dell representatives said that Panther Lake models will land around July.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/04/2026
Source: XDA Developers

I think that the new XPS 13 is a really exciting entry into the lineup. It is an XPS in every way, offering some lower-tier specs like Wildcat Lake Intel chips and lesser RAM in order to hit a price point; however, it does still scale up. You can get a proper Intel Panther Lake chip, and you can get that with up to 32GB RAM. But if you want a really premium laptop that still costs around the same as a MacBook Neo, there you go.
Hands-On, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/02/2026
Source: XDA Developers

Indeed, the XPS 13 is positioned to actually be a premium product at a budget price, rather than just being a budget product. The select Dell XPS 13 configurations with Intel Core processors will be available soon, starting at $599 for students and $699 for everyone else. Other configurations will arrive later this summer, including Core Ultra models.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/01/2026
Source: Hardware Canucks

Dell is taking on the Macbook Neo with the most unlikely of laptops: the XPS 13. Yes, the high end flagship brand within Dell is launching a budget laptop that's priced (lostly) the same as the Neo while offering more features. In this hands-on preview we go over the specs, availability and more of the new XPS 13.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/01/2026
Foreign Reviews
Source: PC Welt
DE→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/14/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Les Numeriques
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/04/2026
Rating: Total score: 60% performance: 40% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Comment
Intel Intel Graphics 2 Xe3 WCL: An integrated graphics adapter of certain Wildcat Lake SoCs, featuring 2 Xe3 cores (16 EUs / 256 ALUs) and 2 raytracing cores.
Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Core 5 320: The Intel Core 5 320 is a small SoC from the Wildcat Lake family. It uses 6 CPU cores in two clusters. Two fast performance cores from the Cougar Cove series clock at 1.5 to 4.6 GHZ. In addition, the chip contains four low power E-cores (Darkmont architecture) with 1.4 to 3.4 GHz. The integrated NPU offers 16 TOPs (Int8).» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
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