I think there is a very specific niche that this notebook is target for, and this definitely doesn't seem for you, the kind of person that having a cheaper laptop is more important than some of the unique features than this one or a Framework 13 Pro have.

For the unique part of this laptop that AFAIK a Dell XPS won't have is the Coreboot BIOS, that also probably means better support in the long term for BIOS updates.

To be clear, this is also not a laptop for me (but I did pre-order a Framework 13 Pro), but saying "nerd tax" or "anyone who buys one is either giving a donation or an idiot" like the other comment is just focusing in one part (the price) and not looking at the other.