I’ve got to be honest, I’ve never been a massive fan of Windows laptops. As someone whose go-to PC is a MacBook Pro, I’ve found many of the Microsoft-powered devices I’ve tested over the years lacking the premium punch of their Apple rivals. That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised when the new Dell XPS landed on my desk. After a bit of a wobble back in 2024 when Dell decided to kill off the XPS brand (a move that was poorly received by fans and recently reversed), this rebooted machine is an absolute beaut.

From the minute I pulled it from its packaging I couldn’t help but be impressed as it looks and feels just as good as any MacBook Pro.

That’s thanks to its plush aluminium finish, sleek design and dark paint job that’s almost identical to Apple’s Space Black colour scheme.

In fact, place the Dell and MacBook side-by-side and the only way you’ll notice any difference between these machines is the XPS name, which is embossed into the lid rather than an Apple logo.

The XPS even offers spill-resistance. That’s not something I tested but having recently killed a MacBook after an accident with a cup of water it’s definitely a feature I welcome.

Open things up, and there’s an excellent 14-inch OLED 2K screen which offers bright, colourful and pixel-packed visuals.

Along with looking good, it’s also very capable.

The more entry-level device I tested featured a Series 3 Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, which offers decent performance. I had no issues during my time with the device, and this PC breezed effortlessly through all my daily digital tasks.

Battery life is also good – I was easily able to get a full day of usage without needing a refill, although Dell’s claim of over 30 hours feels like a bit of a stretch.

Despite its premium build, the device is light enough that you won’t really notice it when tucked into your backpack, as it weighs just 1.3 kg and is only 14.6mm thick.

There are also three Thunderbolt USB-C ports, which are conveniently placed across both sides of the chassis. A headphone jack is also included for those times when you want to plug in wired cans.

Other extras include a decent 8MP 4K HDR webcam, which offers crisp visuals for those Teams calls, plus quad speakers with Dolby Atmos that pack a decent punch.

Like most modern laptops, it’s fully compatible with Microsoft’s Copilot+, with the smart AI assistant available via the touch of a button on the keyboard.

There’s very little wrong with the new XPS, and it really is one of the best Windows laptops I’ve ever used.

However, I’m still not ditching my MacBook just yet and here’s why.

Firstly, the haptic trackpad that mimics clicks rather than physically moving is still miles behind Apple’s Force Touch technology. I can’t work out why Windows PC manufacturers haven’t managed to match the MacBook’s trackpad, but they just aren’t as good. This one suffers from false clicks and simply isn’t accurate enough when moving the cursor.

Then there’s the fully backlit keyboard. Dell has opted for a more flush finish on its keys, which does look very smart when you open the lid.

However, there is a little less travel when you punch the buttons, and the keys are very close together, so I have found myself making a few typos when bashing out emails and editing documents.

This design reminds me of the much-criticised butterfly keyboard on older Intel MacBooks – something Apple ditched when launching its M-powered machines back in 2020.

Another thing I’ve found odd is the lack of a touchscreen on the model I tested. This is one thing that has long set Windows PCs apart from their MacBook rivals, but there’s no such technology on the standard XPS – you’ll need to pay a lot more to get this upgrade.

And that leads me nicely onto the price.

These devices start from an eye-watering £1,840. Begin adding a touch screen, more storage and a better processor, and you could be left with a bill of over £2,500. For comparison, the MacBook Pro starts at £1,699.

Other slight niggles include the absence of a fingerprint scanner and, due to the lack of an indent in the chassis, opening the screen with just your thumb isn’t as easy as Apple’s PCs.

Finally, there’s Windows 11. During my time with the XPS, I’ve been staggered by the number of pop-ups that continue to pester me when using this OS.

If it’s not Microsoft asking me questions, it’s security alerts and install messages telling me the PC isn’t safe.

This is just something you never get on a MacBook.

Windows PCs are clearly catching up to Apple in design, and the XPS is a great example of how premium these laptops can be.

After that disastrous rebrand in 2024, Dell is back on the map with a great device that I’d happily use every day.

Thanks to its stunning design and premium looks it’s also guaranteed to create some Windows 11 envy when pulled from bags.

That said, if I had a choice, then Apple’s MacBook remains my go-to machine thanks to its software simplicity, ultimate power from the M-series chips and that market-leading trackpad.