Dell XPS 13 Review: Premium Build, But 8GB RAM Hinders Performance
The Dell XPS 13 (2026) aims to compete with Apple’s MacBook Neo, starting at $700. It features a stunning 2560x1600 touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, an aluminum chassis, a glass trackpad, and sleek bezels. Unlike the Neo, it includes a touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, and two 10Gbps USB-C ports, plus it can support dual 4K monitors, but it lacks a headphone jack. The base model with 8GB RAM struggled when multiple browser tabs were open, as it uses the Intel Core 5 320 processor from the Wildcat Lake lineup, which is decent for multicore tasks but slower overall. Battery life lasts up to 15 hours for local video. The 16GB version at $900 outshines rivals like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x and Asus Zenbook A14, making it a top choice under $1,000. The review suggests skipping the 8GB model in favor of the 16GB option.
Key facts
- Dell XPS 13 starts at $700, with a 16GB model at $900.
- Features a 2560x1600 touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 427 nits brightness.
- Uses Intel Core 5 320 processor from the new Wildcat Lake line.
- Base model has 8GB RAM, which caused performance issues in testing.
- Battery life lasts 15 hours in local video playback.
- Includes two 10Gbps USB-C ports, one on each side.
- Lacks a headphone jack, unlike the MacBook Neo.
- The 16GB variant is considered the best laptop under $1,000.
- Competitors include Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x, HP OmniBook 5 14, Asus Zenbook A14, and Dell 14 Plus.
Entities
Institutions
- Dell
- Apple
- Intel
- Microsoft
- Lenovo
- HP
- Asus