Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For everyday use, choose the 2026 Dell XPS 13 if you want Windows, a touchscreen and the lighter listed starting weight. Choose the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 if you prefer macOS and want MagSafe charging, a headphone jack and Apple’s specified display setup. Neither is a universal winner: software compatibility, the configuration you can afford and the ports you use matter more than an unverified speed or battery-life comparison.
Which laptop should you choose?
| Your priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Windows, touch input and lower listed starting weight | Dell XPS 13 (2026) | Dell lists a touchscreen and a 2.2-pound starting weight. |
| macOS, separate charging and a built-in headphone jack | 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 | Apple lists MagSafe 3, a 3.5mm headphone jack and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. |
| Battery life or speed as the deciding factor | Compare the exact configurations and independent tests for your workload | The available battery figures use different methods, and there is no matched head-to-head result here for these exact models. |
Start with the operating system. Confirm that the apps, peripherals and school or workplace tools you rely on run properly on Windows 11 or macOS. The product specifications alone do not establish that either platform is better for every user.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What differs in the current models?
This comparison is specifically between the Dell XPS 13 (2026) and Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air with M5—not an older XPS 13 or an M4 or M3 Air. Dell’s XPS comparison page lists the XPS specifications; Apple’s MacBook Air technical specifications list the current Air configuration details.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Feature | Dell XPS 13 (2026) | 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 in the reviewed XPS context | macOS |
| Starting weight | 2.2 lb, Dell-listed starting weight | 2.7 lb, Apple-listed weight |
| Display | 2.5K touchscreen; Dell’s 2026 material describes a variable refresh option up to 120Hz | 13.6-inch LED-backlit IPS display, 2560 by 1664 native resolution, 500 nits, P3 wide color and True Tone |
| Memory and storage | Configurations up to 32GB memory and 1TB storage | Starts at 16GB unified memory and 512GB SSD, with upgrade options |
| Connections | Two USB-C ports in TechRadar’s reviewed configuration; charging uses one | MagSafe 3, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack |
| External displays | Not stated in the cited Dell specifications | Apple lists support for up to two external displays |
Screen, size and everyday portability
The XPS is the lighter listed option: Dell gives a 2.2-pound starting weight, compared with Apple’s 2.7 pounds for the 13-inch Air. Check the weight of the specific configuration before buying, since the XPS figure is a starting weight.
#1 Best Overall
- PREMIUM ULTRA-PORTABLE DESIGN – The Dell XPS 13 9350 designed for users who value performance, mobility, and premium craftsmanship. With its ultra-slim, lightweight design and refined finish, it delivers a high-end portable experience for work and daily use. Built for all-day productivity, up to 26 hours battery life keeps you powered without interruption
- INTUITIVE CONTROL & PREMIUM INTERACTION – Engineered for modern workflows, it features a precision haptic glass touchpad with smooth, responsive feedback and a streamlined touch function row for effortless control between media and function keys. Combined with its minimalist design, it delivers a clean, premium, and distraction-free experience for everyday productivity. Backlit keyboard ensures comfortable typing in low-light environments
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE - Powered by Intel Ultra 7 256V Processor (8 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) and Intel Arc Graphics, this PC delivers efficient performance for multitasking, data analysis, and content creation. Equipped with 16GB DDR5 and 1TB PCIe SSD, it ensures swift application loading and ample storage for professional workloads
- IMMERSIVE DISPLAY - Features a 13.4-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) display with narrow borders, 500-nit brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals and reduced eye strain. Supports up to 2 external displays via Thunderbolt 4, with up to 4K@60Hz output. The FHD RGB camera with dual-array microphones delivers clear video calls
- ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY - With 2x Thunderbolt 4, you can easily connect external displays, storage devices and essential peripherals. Stay fast and reliable on the go with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, perfect for video calls, cloud work, and wireless devices without lag
The screens suit different priorities. Dell lists a touchscreen and a variable refresh option up to 120Hz. Apple specifies the Air’s resolution, brightness and color features in detail. Those specifications do not, by themselves, prove which screen looks better; no matched independent display comparison is established here. If you regularly use touch input, the XPS has the clearer fit. If you care about the Air’s listed resolution, brightness and P3 color, Apple supplies the more specific published display figures.
Battery life: why the published figures do not pick a winner
Dell advertises up to 17 hours of streaming battery life for the XPS 13. Tom’s Guide measured 14 hours and 26 minutes on its XPS 13 (2026) review unit in a continuous Wi-Fi web-browsing test at 150 nits. Apple advertises up to 18 hours of video streaming or 15 hours of wireless web browsing for the 13-inch Air; Apple notes that actual duration varies with use and configuration.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE AI MOBILITY - Meet the first XPS CoPilot+ PC - the Snapdragon-powered XPS 13 with revolutionary on-device AI for lightning-fast performance. Enjoy desktop-class power without needing a charger, thanks to its industry-leading 27-hour battery life. Our thinnest, lightest XPS yet delivers instant AI acceleration, making professional-grade content creation possible anywhere
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE - Powered by a Snapdragon X Elite (12 Core Dual-Core Boost up to 4GHz, NPU up to 45 TOPS) X1E-80-100 Processor for superior efficiency and speed, 32GB of 8448MT/s DDR5 RAM for seamless multitasking, and a 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD for fast storage and reduced load times, ensuring smooth and responsive performance for all your tasks
- CRISP DISPLAY & PRIVACY - Features a FHD IR webcam for crystal-clear video calls and enhanced security, while the 13.4" 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 400nits Anti-reflective touchscreen display with Qualcomm Adreno graphics delivers crisp visuals, supported by the ability to connect 2 external monitors via Type-C ports at 4K (3840x2160) @60Hz (without docking station)
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY - Features a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for enhanced productivity. Equipped with 2 x USB4 40Gbps USB Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery for versatile connectivity. Includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast, reliable wireless performance
- OPERATING SYSTEM - Preinstalled with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit and AI-powered Copilot, including enterprise features such as BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management. It enhances productivity with intelligent assistance for tasks such as document creation, data analysis, email drafting, and virtual meetings
These are not a like-for-like comparison: manufacturer estimates and an independent test use different conditions, and the XPS review measurement is not an Air-versus-XPS head-to-head test. Use the figures to understand the kinds of claims available, not to conclude that one model lasts longer in your routine.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutePorts, charging and memory can change the buying decision
Check how many wired devices you use
TechRadar’s reviewed XPS configuration has two USB-C ports, one of which is occupied while charging. The Air can charge through MagSafe 3, leaving its two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports available for other devices, and it has a built-in headphone jack. If you regularly connect several wired peripherals, count the ports you need while charging. A USB-C hub with power delivery may help, but it is optional and depends on your devices and setup.
Rank #3
- 13.4 inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) Anti-Glare 30-120Hz 500-nits InfinityEdge Eye Safe Non-Touch Display
- Snapdragon X Elite, X1E-80-100 (12 cores up to 3.4 GHz Dual-Core Boost up to 4.0 GHz, NPU Upto 45 TOPS)
- 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD
- Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Two USB4 40 Gbps USB Type-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery
- Windows 11 PRO | Fingerprint Reader
Choose memory for your workload
Configuration matters, especially for multitasking. TechRadar reviewed a UK standard XPS configuration with 8GB RAM and a Core Ultra 5 320. The reviewer found browsing, word processing and light image editing usable, but reported that heavier workloads exposed the limits of 8GB. That is a warning about that reviewed configuration, not proof that every XPS 13 has the same limits. Dell lists configurations up to 32GB memory; compare the exact RAM and storage offered at checkout.
Apple lists 16GB unified memory and a 512GB SSD as the Air’s starting configuration, with higher memory and storage options. For either laptop, match the configuration to your workload and budget rather than comparing model names alone.
Rank #4
- ULTIMATE AI MOBILITY - Meet the first XPS CoPilot+ PC - the Snapdragon-powered XPS 13 with revolutionary on-device AI for lightning-fast performance. Enjoy desktop-class power without needing a charger, thanks to its industry-leading 27-hour battery life. Our thinnest, lightest XPS yet delivers instant AI acceleration, making professional-grade content creation possible anywhere
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE - Powered by a Snapdragon X Elite (12 Core Dual-Core Boost up to 4GHz, NPU up to 45 TOPS) X1E-80-100 Processor for superior efficiency and speed, 32GB of 8448MT/s LPDDR5x RAM for seamless multitasking, and a 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD for fast storage and reduced load times, ensuring smooth and responsive performance for all your tasks
- CRISP DISPLAY & PRIVACY - Features a FHD RGB webcam for crystal-clear video calls, while the 13.4" FHD+ (1920x1200) 500nits Anti-reflective display with Qualcomm Adreno graphics delivers crisp visuals, supported by the ability to connect 2 external monitors via Type-C ports at 4K (3840x2160) @60Hz (without docking station)
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY - Features a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for enhanced productivity. Equipped with 2 x USB4 40Gbps USB Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery for versatile connectivity. Includes Wi-Fi 7(802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast, reliable wireless performance
- COPILOT+ PC AI POWERHOUSE - The dedicated NPU delivers 45 TOPS for local AI processing without relying on the cloud. Enables Recall (instant content retrieval), Cocreate (AI image tools), Windows Studio Effects (auto-framing/background blur for video calls), and Live Captions (real-time translation). Redefines productivity and creativity with seamless, offline AI acceleration
Price and configuration: check the live offer
Dell’s May 31, 2026 announcement stated a US general starting price of $699 and a $599 back-to-school offer for eligible students ages 16 and older. The student price is an offer, not a general price; check Dell’s current US listing to confirm availability. These figures do not establish current prices in other countries or a like-for-like value comparison with the Air. Apple’s cited technical-specifications page does not establish a current Air price.
Before choosing on price, compare current regional listings with the same or suitable memory and storage. A lower starting price is not a fair value comparison if the configurations differ or a promotion has ended.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- STUNNING 3K OLED TOUCH DISPLAY – Experience incredible detail and vibrant color on the 13.4-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED InfinityEdge touchscreen. With deep blacks, sharp contrast, and touch functionality, it's ideal for productivity, streaming, and creative work.
- SNAPDRAGON X ELITE X1E-80-100 PROCESSOR – Features a 12-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU with boost speeds up to 4.0GHz, 42MB total cache, integrated Qualcomm Adreno graphics, and a dedicated 45 TOPS NPU for accelerated AI workloads, multitasking, content creation, and everyday productivity.
- COPILOT+ AI PC EXPERIENCE – Built with a dedicated NPU capable of up to 45 TOPS, enabling advanced AI-powered features, faster on-device processing, enhanced video conferencing effects, and next-generation Windows Copilot+ experiences.
- FAST MEMORY & STORAGE – Equipped with 16GB LPDDR5X memory for seamless multitasking and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD that provides fast boot times, quick application launches, and ample room for files, photos, and software.
- PREMIUM ULTRAPORTABLE DESIGN – Crafted from premium materials in Graphite, the XPS 13 combines a compact, lightweight form factor with modern connectivity, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth, making it an excellent companion for work, travel, and everyday use.
How to make the final choice
- Confirm app and device compatibility. Pick Windows 11 or macOS based on the software, accessories and ecosystem you actually use.
- Choose your display priorities. Favor the XPS if touch input or its listed variable refresh option matters; consider the Air’s published resolution, brightness and P3 color specifications.
- Count ports while charging. Account for the XPS review configuration’s charging-port tradeoff, or the Air’s separate MagSafe charging and headphone jack.
- Set a memory and storage target. Check the exact XPS configuration, especially if multitasking or heavier work is routine, and compare it with the Air’s 16GB/512GB starting specification.
- Check regional price and return terms. Compare live, like-for-like configurations rather than relying on a dated or student-only offer.
Sources and specifications
- Dell XPS Laptops Comparison — Dell’s listed XPS specifications and claims.
- The New XPS 13: A Commitment Delivered — Dell Technologies, May 31, 2026; announcement of US starting prices and student offer.
- MacBook Air – Tech Specs — Apple’s current Air specifications.
- Dell XPS 13 (2026) review: Budget laptops are officially on notice — Tom’s Guide’s test result for its review unit.
- I really wanted to love the new Dell XPS 13, but Dell, we need to have a serious chat about your RAM choices — TechRadar’s configuration-specific review.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
