CHIP’s comparison gives Dell the technical advantage, with a sharper 120Hz display, longer battery life and more features, while Apple counters with a lower price and access to the Mac ecosystem.
Dell’s latest XPS 13 has emerged as a direct answer to Apple’s MacBook Neo, with both machines aiming at buyers who want a compact premium laptop without paying flagship money. CHIP says the comparison is especially relevant because the two models sit close in size, price and core specifications, yet approach the market from very different software ecosystems. For many buyers, the first decision remains the most basic one: Windows or macOS.
In CHIP’s test, both notebooks are built around slim aluminium bodies of roughly the same footprint, but Dell makes slightly better use of the available space. The XPS 13 carries a 13.4-inch display and weighs 1 kilogram, while the MacBook Neo is a little heavier and uses thicker bezels around its 13-inch panel. Dell’s own comparison materials also frame the XPS 13 as the lighter machine, and third-party coverage notes that the chassis includes a wider set of premium features than Apple’s budget model.
The biggest difference is the screen. According to CHIP, the XPS 13 uses a matte IPS touch panel with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and broader DCI-P3 colour coverage than the MacBook Neo. Apple keeps to a glossy 60Hz display without touch support, which makes motion less fluid and colours less vivid, although the Neo is measured as slightly brighter in CHIP’s testing. Other comparison articles point in the same direction, describing Dell’s panel as the more capable one for everyday use and media work.
Performance is more balanced than the display race suggests. CHIP says Dell uses Intel’s Core 5 320, while Apple puts the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 family into the Neo. In routine tasks, the two are close, but Apple retains an edge in graphics efficiency and therefore in light gaming. Even so, both machines ship with only 8GB of memory as standard, which CHIP regards as a real constraint for heavy multitasking. Dell does offer a 16GB option, and the magazine argues that the extra outlay is sensible because Windows 11 has become more memory-hungry.
Battery life favours Dell in CHIP’s measurements, despite Apple’s more efficient chip. The XPS 13’s 52Wh battery lasts around 13 hours in web browsing tests, compared with roughly 11 hours for the Neo’s 36.5Wh pack. That gap is reflected in broader technical round-ups as well, which note that Dell combines better endurance with faster charging and a more modern connectivity set. Windows Central and Dell both highlight Wi-Fi 7 support, two USB-C ports with fuller functionality, a backlit keyboard and facial recognition via Windows Hello as advantages over the Neo’s more limited port selection and unlit keyboard.
Price remains the area where Apple still puts pressure on the competition. CHIP says the MacBook Neo has a recommended price of 799 euros, though it is already selling below that level, and students can buy it for 699 euros. Dell’s cheapest XPS 13 configuration is 100 euros dearer, but the company says students can take 100 euros off until 30 October 2026. On CHIP’s overall assessment, the Dell machine is the stronger laptop on technical grounds, but Apple’s model remains the easier entry point into its ecosystem and the more attractive purchase for buyers who place price above all else.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
