Dell's XPS 13 costs $700, the same as Apple's MacBook Neo, but the 8GB of memory in cheaper models may cause slowdowns on Windows.
Dell's new XPS 13 is a strong budget laptop for people who prefer Windows. It starts at $700, the same as Apple's MacBook Neo. CNET's review gave it an 8.3. But the cheapest versions have only 8GB of memory, and the reviewer says the extra money for more is worth spending.
The XPS 13 has a thin, light, all-metal body and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with a sharp, high-resolution display. It has quad speakers, two fast USB-C ports and Wi-Fi 7. The Neo has a similarly sharp screen, so the two are on level ground there.
There are drawbacks. The touchpad feels cheap, there is no headphone jack and the color choices are dull.
Dell raised the price after launch and added a new entry model to keep the $700 starting point. That model now has 256GB of storage, down from 512GB originally.
Students 16 and older get $100 off until Nov. 2, which brings the base model to $600. The Neo also costs $700 after its own price hike, and its $800 step-up adds Touch ID and 512GB of storage.
Memory, or RAM, is the short-term workspace a computer uses to run apps. When it fills up, the laptop leans on slower storage, which can cause lags, stutters and freezes. Windows laptops have long come with 16GB, even cheap ones. Dell's 8GB models reflect a global RAM shortage.
The review's tests showed the strain. The 16GB model started up in 21 seconds, while the 8GB model took 38. Right after startup, the 8GB model already used 60% of its memory, against 42% on the 16GB one. With Spotify playing, that rose to 75-76% against 49-50%. With 24 Chrome tabs open and a photo edit, the 8GB model hit 97-98%.
This spring, Microsoft committed to making Windows 11 use less memory. It has also started selling an 8GB Surface Laptop. The reviewer notes that buying an 8GB Windows laptop means trusting Microsoft to deliver on that promise soon. Apple's MacOS, by comparison, may run pleasantly on 8GB.
The XPS 13 suits students and budget shoppers who want Windows and a well-built, portable machine for basic tasks. Anyone who keeps many tabs and apps open should plan on the $1,000 model with 16GB. The reviewer tested the $800 and $1,000 versions, not the $700 one.
The XPS 13 is a good budget Windows laptop, but 8GB of memory is tight, so budget for the 16GB model if you multitask.
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