Dell has long been a reliable partner for users of Linux-powered operating systems, particularly Ubuntu. Over the years, the company has consistently delivered developer-centric laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed, ensuring that many of their devices come equipped with compatible drivers that function seamlessly right out of the box. My own experience with a Dell laptop has been notably smooth, with no driver-related issues for an extended period.
Dell Pro Max 16 Plus: What’s Inside?
In a recent move to further solidify its commitment to Linux, Dell unveiled the Pro Max 16 Plus, touted as the first mobile workstation featuring an enterprise-grade discrete NPU, specifically the Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card. This innovative device boasts 64GB of dedicated AI memory and dual NPUs integrated onto a single card.
At its core, the Pro Max 16 Plus is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, with options reaching up to the Ultra 9 285HX. It supports memory configurations of up to 256GB CAMM2 at 7200MT/s, and offers GPU choices that include the NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell with 24GB VRAM. Storage capabilities are equally impressive, with a maximum of 12TB and RAID support.
Interestingly, reports from Phoronix indicate that the Windows 11 version of the Dell Pro Max 16 Plus is not expected to ship until early 2026. In contrast, the validated Ubuntu 24.04 LTS version is already available, positioning Dell strategically for professionals who require robust on-device processing capabilities. The discrete NPU ensures that data remains on the device, effectively mitigating cloud latency and facilitating work in air-gapped environments, disconnected locations, and industries with stringent compliance requirements.
📝 Key Specifications
- Video: Up to 16″ UHD+, 120Hz, OLED touch display.
- Power: 6-cell, 96 Wh, Li-ion battery.
- Audio: 1x 3.5 mm combined audio jack, 2x 2 W stereo speakers.
- Camera: 1080p at 30 fps HDR FHD RGB camera, 8MP 30 fps HDR RGB+IR camera.
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) with PowerShare, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps).
- Thunderbolt: 2x Thunderbolt 5 (80 Gbps), 1x Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps), both equipped with Power Delivery and DisplayPort.
- Networking: 1x RJ45 (2.5 Gbps), Wi-Fi 7 BE200, Bluetooth 5.4, and Qualcomm Snapdragon X72 eSIM.
- Slots: 1x SD card reader, 1x smart card reader.
- Weight: 5.63 lb (2.55 kg).
🛒 Pricing & Availability
The Dell Pro Max 16 Plus starts at ,329 (excluding tax and shipping). Interested buyers can configure and order the device directly from Dell’s official website.
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