Dell XPS 13 Review: Dell’s $699 XPS 13 Brings MacBook-Level Polish To Windows

The XPS name has traditionally represented the premium end of Dell's consumer laptops, but the new XPS 13 DX13260 is entering a very different part of the market. It currently starts at just $699.99, with Dell even offering student pricing from $599.

My review unit is close to the entry end of the range, with an Intel Core 5 320 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. Those specifications do not sound particularly exotic in 2026, but almost everything I physically interact with on the laptop feels considerably more expensive.

There is a rigid CNC aluminum chassis, almost no unnecessary branding, an excellent keyboard and glass touchpad, surprisingly powerful speakers and a 13.4-inch touchscreen squeezed behind remarkably small bezels. The entire computer weighs around 2.2 pounds and is small enough to disappear inside a backpack or even a tote bag.

The lower price instead becomes apparent in places such as the processor, 8GB of soldered memory and connectivity. The Core 5 model has only two USB-C 3.2 ports, with Thunderbolt 4 reserved for the more expensive Core Ultra configurations.

By now, you may notice how much of this sounds like a MacBook. That comparison becomes even more relevant because Dell itself is directly positioning the XPS 13 against the MacBook Neo, with both starting at $699.

So has Dell essentially created an affordable MacBook-like experience for people whose workflow belongs on Windows?

Dell XPS 13 DX13260: Key Specifications

Processor: Intel Core 5 320, 6 cores / 6 threads, up to 4.6GHz
Graphics: Intel Graphics
NPU: Intel NPU, up to 16 TOPS
Memory: 8GB LPDDR5X-7467
Storage: 512GB SanDisk PC_SN7100S NVMe SSD
Display: 13.4-inch touchscreen, 2560 x 1600
Refresh rate: Variable 30Hz to 120Hz
Brightness: 500 nits
Color coverage: 100% DCI-P3 typical
Camera: 1080p FHD with IR
Battery: 52Wh
Power adapter: 65W USB-C
Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 2.1, USB Power Delivery
Weight: Starting at 2.2 lb / approximately 1kg
Thickness: 0.5 inches / approximately 12.7mm
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Dell also offers Core Ultra 5 325 and Core Ultra 7 355 versions, with considerably more capable NPUs and different connectivity options. The Core 5 320 in my unit has two performance cores and four low-power efficiency cores, with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.6GHz.

Pros

• Extremely rigid aluminum unibody construction
• Very small footprint and easy to carry
• Tiny bezels maximize the available screen space
• Excellent keyboard for productivity
• Smooth glass touchpad
• 120Hz touchscreen looks excellent
• Anti-glare finish does a good job hiding fingerprints
• Surprisingly powerful speakers
• Compact USB-C charger
• Feels considerably more expensive than its starting price

Cons

• 8GB of RAM is restrictive
• RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
• Core 5 is aimed more at everyday productivity than heavy workloads
• Only two physical ports
• No 3.5mm headphone jack or card reader
• Core 5 version gets USB-C 3.2 rather than Thunderbolt 4 or USB4

Testing note: This review is based on the Intel Core 5 320 configuration with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The Core Ultra versions differ in processor performance, memory options and USB-C capabilities.

It Looks And Feels Like A Much More Expensive Laptop

The first thing that stood out about the XPS 13 was how polished it feels. There is very little unnecessary branding, the design is clean without looking generic, and the aluminum body has the kind of solidity I normally expect from laptops significantly above this price range.

The unibody construction is not only about appearance either. There is essentially no noticeable flex, and I became particularly aware of this when using the XPS on my lap. Without a desk underneath supporting the chassis, I can still type against the keyboard without feeling the base move beneath my hands.

That is a small detail on paper, but an important one on a laptop designed to be taken everywhere. If I buy something this portable, I am probably going to use it in situations where there is not always a perfect desk in front of me.

A 13-Inch Laptop That Barely Feels Like One

The tiny bezels are probably one of the XPS 13's biggest design successes. The 13.4-inch display takes up so much of the lid that there is very little wasted space around it, allowing Dell to fit a genuinely useful screen inside an unusually small chassis.

At just 11.69 inches wide and 7.9 inches deep, the XPS slips into a backpack without taking up much room, but I can also comfortably fit it inside a tote bag. It is one of those laptops where taking it with me requires very little thought.

The included 65W USB-C charger is similarly compact, so Dell has not paired an exceptionally portable computer with an unnecessarily large power brick.

For anyone regularly moving between an office, home, meetings, airports or hotels, this is the kind of portability I notice far more often than a few percentage points in a benchmark.

The 120Hz Display Is Pure Eye Candy

The display has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 500-nit rated brightness, 100% typical DCI-P3 coverage and a variable refresh rate between 30Hz and 120Hz.

I do not need 120Hz to write a document, answer an email or look at a spreadsheet, but it makes almost everything happening between those tasks look better. Scrolling is smoother, animations look cleaner and moving around Windows has a visual fluidity that becomes surprisingly easy to get used to.

It is basically eye candy, but it is eye candy that I may be staring at for eight hours in a workday.

The anti-glare finish also deserves some credit. It is not an extremely strong matte treatment, and reflections are still visible under bright lighting, but it is substantially less mirror-like than a traditional glossy glass display. It also does a good job of hiding fingerprints, which matters more when the screen is touch-enabled.

The fact that the XPS actually has a touchscreen also becomes relevant when comparing it with Apple's laptops. Dell's MacBook Neo comparison highlights the same difference: the XPS has a 13.4-inch 120Hz touchscreen while Apple's machine does not support touch input.

The Keyboard May Be One Of The Best Reasons To Buy It

For a laptop built primarily around productivity, the keyboard matters much more to me than having the fastest processor available.

The XPS 13 gets this part right. The keyboard feels precise, the spacing works well despite the compact chassis, and I have no problem typing on it for extended periods. The rigid aluminum base also helps because the keyboard never feels like it is flexing away from my fingers, even when I am working without a desk.

The glass touchpad completes the experience. Dell uses a precision glass surface with an anti-smudge coating, and it feels smooth and accurate without drawing much attention to itself.

That may actually be the best compliment I can give it. A good touchpad should disappear beneath my fingers rather than constantly reminding me that I would rather have a mouse.

The speakers are similarly impressive for the size of the laptop. There is considerably more volume and presence than I expected from such a thin chassis, enough that I do not automatically reach for headphones when watching a video or playing some background music.

This Is Where The $699 Price Starts To Show

The premium exterior does eventually give way to much more ordinary specifications underneath.

The Intel Core 5 320 is a six-core, six-thread processor designed around a 15W base power level, with two performance cores and four low-power efficiency cores. It is completely appropriate for browsing, writing, Office applications and other normal productivity work, but this particular XPS should not be confused with a compact workstation.

That distinction is important because XPS has historically carried a certain expectation of performance. The Core 5 version feels much more deliberately aimed at someone who wants the XPS experience without necessarily needing high-end processing power.

For the type of work I would actually recommend this configuration for, that trade-off makes sense. Someone spending the day inside Chrome, Word, Excel, Outlook and video meetings is unlikely to benefit from paying for a much more powerful processor every minute of the day.

Eight Gigabytes Of RAM Is Harder To Ignore

The 8GB of memory concerns me more than the Core 5 processor.

During normal testing, I saw Task Manager reporting around 89% memory utilization, with 6.8GB of the roughly 7.6GB usable physical memory already occupied. That was not enough to make Windows suddenly unusable, and the operating system can lean on virtual memory when necessary, but it does not leave a lot of headroom either.

The bigger issue is that there is no fixing that later.

Dell integrates the LPDDR5X memory directly onto the system board. Core 5 versions are available with either 8GB or 16GB, and neither can be upgraded after purchase. The Core Ultra configurations start at 16GB and can go significantly higher.

For basic productivity, the 8GB model can still make sense if keeping the purchase price as low as possible is the priority. But someone who regularly runs many browser tabs, switches between numerous applications or expects to keep the laptop for several years should seriously consider 16GB from the beginning.

Two Ports, And Dell Even Removed The Headphone Jack

Then there is the port situation.

There are two USB-C connections on the entire laptop, with one placed on either side. That is it.

No USB-A. No SD or microSD reader. Not even a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Putting one USB-C port on each side is at least a thoughtful decision because I can connect the charger from whichever direction is more convenient, but charging also means that half of the laptop's physical connectivity is temporarily occupied.

For normal desk use, I would expect a USB-C hub or dock to quickly become part of the setup.

This is where the MacBook similarities start becoming less flattering. Dell has inherited much of the minimalism that made Apple's laptops attractive, but it has also joined the port-elimination game that has frustrated plenty of laptop users over the years.

There Is An Important Catch With Those USB-C Ports

The port situation on the Core 5 model is actually more restrictive than it initially appears.

Although the connectors look like the USB-C ports on the more expensive versions, the Core 5 XPS 13 does not have Thunderbolt 4 or USB4.

Instead, both ports use USB 3.2 Gen 2 at up to 10Gbps, while still supporting DisplayPort 2.1 and USB Power Delivery. Core Ultra versions replace those with Thunderbolt 4 USB-C connections.

That is an important distinction because USB-C only describes the physical connector. Someone looking at the two versions side by side would have no obvious reason to assume that the ports underneath operate very differently.

Normal USB-C docks and displays can still work, so this does not mean the laptop cannot be docked. But anyone with Thunderbolt storage, a Thunderbolt dock or another high-bandwidth Thunderbolt device needs to know that it will not have the same functionality on the Core 5 version.

If Dell is only going to give me two ports in the first place, I would have preferred those two connections to be as capable as possible.

By Now, This Probably Sounds A Lot Like A MacBook

Excellent aluminum construction, tiny bezels, a very small footprint, a good keyboard and touchpad, strong speakers, very little branding and an emphasis on the experience of using the machine rather than simply filling the specification sheet with the fastest hardware available.

By now, this probably sounds a lot like a MacBook.

That is not necessarily a criticism. Apple has understood for years that a computer does not need to be a workstation to feel premium. A laptop can feel expensive because the chassis is solid, the keyboard is pleasant, the touchpad works properly, the screen looks good and carrying the machine around all day is easy.

The XPS 13 captures much of the same feeling.

But there is an important difference: this is still a Windows laptop.

For someone already invested in the Apple ecosystem, macOS and the way Apple's devices work together may be part of the reason to buy a MacBook. For someone whose work depends on Windows applications, corporate software or simply years of familiarity with Microsoft's operating system, that same ecosystem can be the reason not to.

The XPS gives that second group something that has traditionally been harder to find at this price: MacBook-like hardware polish without requiring them to leave Windows behind.

Dell is not hiding the comparison either. The company now has an entire page comparing the XPS 13 directly against the MacBook Neo, and both start at $699.

A Different Kind Of XPS

The Core 5 XPS 13 changes what I normally expect from the name.

Instead of combining premium construction with increasingly powerful hardware and the price that comes with it, Dell appears to have separated those two things. The inexpensive version preserves much of what makes an XPS physically desirable while using substantially more modest components underneath.

I actually think that makes a lot of sense.

Someone whose workday consists of writing, browsing, spreadsheets, email and video calls may notice the keyboard, touchpad, display and weight hundreds of times every day. That same person may never come close to fully utilizing a high-end processor.

The new XPS 13 therefore occupies an interesting space between mainstream and premium laptops. It is not really built like a $699 laptop, but the compromises Dell made allow it to be priced like one.

Who Is The XPS 13 Core 5 Actually For?

I would not choose this configuration for heavy video editing, demanding creative workloads or someone who specifically wants a compact performance machine. The limited memory also makes the 8GB model a poor fit for particularly heavy multitasking, and anyone dependent on Thunderbolt equipment should look toward the Core Ultra configurations.

For everyday productivity, however, the compromises become much easier to accept.

If most of my day involves writing, web browsing, Office, email, meetings and moving between different locations, I benefit from the XPS's small size, rigid construction, great keyboard, glass touchpad and 120Hz screen every time I use it.

It also makes particular sense for someone who has looked at a MacBook and liked the hardware but never wanted to reorganize an existing workflow around macOS.

The Core 5 XPS 13 is essentially asking whether you would rather spend part of the budget on specifications you may occasionally need, or on the physical experience you will use constantly.

Final Verdict

The new Dell XPS 13 occupies a surprisingly interesting niche.

Despite the accessible starting price, I would hesitate to call this a budget laptop. The aluminum unibody construction is extremely rigid, the tiny bezels allow Dell to fit a 13.4-inch display into an unusually small footprint, and the keyboard and glass touchpad are genuinely excellent for productivity. The 120Hz display provides plenty of eye candy, the speakers are surprisingly powerful, and the entire computer can easily disappear into a backpack or even a tote bag.

It is polished enough that I could just as easily imagine a student carrying one around campus as a CEO opening it at a meeting.

The lower price understandably comes from somewhere. The Core 5 is relatively modest, the 8GB base configuration does not provide much memory headroom, and Dell's decision to reduce the entire laptop to two USB-C ports is even harder to overlook when those ports do not support Thunderbolt on this model.

But I think Dell made an interesting choice about where to compromise. Instead of making the XPS feel cheaper, it made the entry-level XPS less powerful.

For users who really need the performance, more expensive Core Ultra configurations exist. For everyone else, the new XPS 13 preserves many of the things that make a premium laptop enjoyable without demanding a traditionally premium price.

For years, Apple has largely owned this combination of polished construction, excellent portability and everyday performance. The XPS 13 finally gives Windows users a convincing version of that same idea.

For someone whose priority is productivity, portability and premium build quality rather than maximum performance, the Dell XPS 13 Core 5 is one of the more interesting Windows laptops available around its starting price.

David is a tech enthusiast/writer who is often on the move, but since the pandemic is on a mission to explore gadgets to improve his 'home work'. This is a contribution to an ongoing IBTimes review series on gadgets for Home Productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does The Dell XPS 13 DX13260 Cost?

The XPS 13 currently starts at $699.99, with Dell offering eligible student pricing from $599. Configuring additional memory, storage or a Core Ultra processor increases the price.

What Processor Is In The XPS 13 DX13260?

My review unit uses the Intel Core 5 320, which has six cores and six threads with speeds up to 4.6GHz. Dell also offers Core Ultra 5 325 and Core Ultra 7 355 configurations.

Is 8GB Of RAM Enough For The XPS 13?

It can be sufficient for lighter browsing, writing and everyday office work, but I saw RAM utilization approaching 90% during normal use. Since the memory cannot be upgraded later, I would consider 16GB for heavier multitasking or longer-term ownership.

Can The XPS 13 RAM Be Upgraded?

No. The LPDDR5X memory is integrated onto the motherboard. Core 5 configurations are available with 8GB or 16GB, while Core Ultra versions support larger capacities.

Does The Core 5 XPS 13 Have Thunderbolt 4?

No. The Core 5 model has two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports with speeds up to 10Gbps. They support DisplayPort 2.1 and USB Power Delivery, but Thunderbolt 4 is reserved for Core Ultra versions.

Does The XPS 13 Have A Headphone Jack?

No. Dell has removed the dedicated 3.5mm audio jack, so wired headphones require USB-C or an adapter. There is also no memory-card reader.

Does The XPS 13 Have A Touchscreen?

Yes. The XPS 13 has a 13.4-inch 2560 x 1600 touchscreen with 500-nit typical brightness and a variable refresh rate from 30Hz to 120Hz.

How Much Does The Dell XPS 13 Weigh?

Dell lists the XPS 13 at a starting weight of approximately 2.2 pounds, or 1kg, with a thickness of around half an inch.

Who Should Buy The Core 5 Dell XPS 13?

I think it makes the most sense for people who spend most of their time browsing, writing, using Office applications and attending meetings, while valuing portability and build quality more than maximum processing power.

It is particularly compelling for Windows users who like the polished hardware experience traditionally associated with MacBooks but do not want to move their workflow into Apple's ecosystem.