Apple MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Which budget laptop is worth buying?
Last Updated: 2026-07-29 11:04:55
Apple introduced the first MacBook Neo model earlier this year and many call it the best budget laptop in the market. But Dell is adding more spice to the Windows segment by bringing its new XPS 13 model to India this week, making it an intriguing bout between these tech giants.
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MacBook Neo and Dell XPS 13 are budget laptops.- Both laptops start at Rs 79,900 in India.
- XPS 13 offers 120Hz touch display, backlit keyboard.
The MacBook Neo showed Apple’s focus on the budget arena, which was made possible by pairing the A18 Pro chip. In the same vein, Dell has pulled it off with Intel’s latest CPUs with the XPS 13 that tries to give Apple a tough fight.
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So, how exactly does the new Dell XPS 13 compare to the MacBook Neo? Read on to find out how the laptops differ, and which one is the better pick for you, based on specs and price.
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Price in India
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The MacBook Neo is now priced at Rs 79,900 for the base 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model. The higher 512GB variant that comes with Touch ID support is available for Rs 89,900.
Dell has launched the XPS 13 priced at Rs 79,900 in India which is the same as the base 256GB MacBook Neo model in the country and only comes in one variant.
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Design and display
Both the MacBook Neo and XPS 13 feature a full aluminium unibody chassis which gives them a premium look and finish. The XPS 13 gets a compact body and is said to be 230 grams lighter than the Neo.
Dell XPS 13 gets a bigger 13.4-inch 2.5K display, while the MacBook Neo comes with a 13-inch 2408 x 1506 panel. Both screens can reach up to 500 nits of brightness.
The XPS 13 also covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, making it useful for creative work. Dell is also giving XPS 13 support for refresh rate up to 120Hz while the MacBook Neo only offers standard 60Hz refresh rate on the screen.
More importantly, the XPS 13 has a touch display, while Apple’s MacBook Neo doesn’t get a touchscreen but both the models come with Dolby Vision certification.
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Performance and software
These two laptops take fundamentally different approaches in terms of the chipset. The MacBook Neo uses Apple’s A18 Pro processor, the same chipset found on the iPhone 16 Pro. The XPS 13 is powered by Intel’s Core 5 320 processor built on the Intel 18A process.
Both these products come with 8GB RAM on the base model, but Dell is offering upgrades up to 32GB for the XPS 13 while Apple is happy to stick with less memory.
Having said that, Windows is known to be resource-hungry, so most users should consider at least the 16GB RAM version of the XPS 13. Apple’s control and focus on macOS should make 8GB RAM sufficient enough for basic users.
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: Battery, speaker and more
The battery sizes of the XPS 13 and MacBook Neo differ but it all comes down the efficiency of the hardware running under their hood. Apple claims the MacBook Neo can deliver 18 hours of battery life, and most reviews of the XPS 13 suggest a figure close to the Neo.
The Neo features a dual-speaker setup, while the XPS 13 is equipped with a quad-speaker setup. Dell even gives you a backlit keyboard which the Neo does not support even on the 512GB version.
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: The better buy?
The MacBook Neo comes with Apple’s macOS which makes a difference to the overall experience. But the Dell XPS 13 offers a better build, a smoother 120Hz display, and a higher base storage option with upgradable RAM also available. It is a close fight between the two and buyers will have a tough choice to make between the Windows and Mac machines.