Dell’s sweeping rebrand of its laptop portfolio marks the end of an era—with the beloved XPS, Inspiron, and Precision names making way for a simplified lineup under the “Dell,” “Dell Pro,” and “Dell Pro Max” banners. The Dell Pro Max 16 is one of the first flagships of this new era, targeting professionals and power users with high expectations for performance, reliability, and visual fidelity.
But is it more than just a rebranded XPS? Let’s take a deeper look.
Dell Pro Max 16 Review: Dell’s Boldest Premium Laptop Yet
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Design & Build Quality
Dell clearly drew from the DNA of the XPS line, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic with a sturdy, premium feel. The Pro Max 16 features an aluminum chassis that’s both durable and lightweight—at just under 5 lbs, it’s surprisingly portable for a 16-inch machine with workstation-level specs.
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with ample key travel and excellent spacing, while the large precision touchpad is responsive and smooth. Like its predecessors, the Pro Max 16 screams professionalism, with no flashy RGBs or gamer-centric angles—just a sleek, utilitarian vibe that belongs in a boardroom or production studio.
Highlights:
- CNC-milled aluminum frame
- Soft-touch palm rest
- Spill-resistant keyboard (optional upgrade)
- MIL-STD-810H certified for durability
Performance: Built for Power Users
At the heart of the Pro Max 16 is Intel’s Core Ultra 5 235H or higher—one of the first chips to feature a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI acceleration. The 235H features 14 cores (4 Performance + 10 Efficiency) and reaches turbo speeds of up to 5.0 GHz, all while operating at a 45W TDP.
Configurations with Intel’s integrated Arc graphics are available for general productivity tasks, but if you step up to the Pro Max 16 Premium, you’ll get access to NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada or RTX 5000 Ada GPUs, enabling demanding workloads like:
- 4K/8K video editing
- Machine learning model training
- 3D modeling in Blender or SolidWorks
- Real-time rendering in Unreal Engine
Benchmark Insight:
In early benchmarks, the Core Ultra 7 265H with integrated graphics scores close to an i7-13700H in multicore workloads, while using 20–30% less power under load.
Display: Productivity Meets Visual Brilliance
The base model comes with a 16-inch FHD+ (1920×1200) non-touch anti-glare panel, which is suitable for day-to-day business or software work. However, creatives and visual professionals will want to upgrade to the 3.2K OLED panel with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.
The OLED option is a game-changer: deep blacks, vibrant contrast, and eye-popping color accuracy make it ideal for photographers, color graders, and digital artists.
Display Options Overview:
| Panel Type | Resolution | Color Coverage | Brightness | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCD Anti-Glare | 1920×1200 | 100% sRGB | 300 nits | No |
| OLED Premium | 3200×2000 | 100% DCI-P3 | 400 nits | Yes |
Ports & Connectivity
Dell wisely sidesteps the dongle-only approach that plagued some XPS models. The Pro Max 16 offers a full suite of ports, making it easy to dock or connect your entire workstation setup.
Included Ports:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 1x Full-size SD card reader
- 1x RJ-45 Ethernet
- 1x 3.5mm audio jack
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are standard, with optional WWAN (5G/LTE) support for always-connected professionals.
Battery Life
The Pro Max 16 isn’t trying to win the ultrabook battery contest—but for a laptop of this class, it holds its own. Expect 6–8 hours of mixed use on the integrated graphics model and closer to 4–6 hours on configurations with an RTX GPU and OLED screen.
Dell offers multiple battery configurations, with the 86Wh option providing better longevity than the base 56Wh unit.
AI Features: Built for the Future
One of the standout features of the Pro Max 16 is its support for AI-enhanced workflows. Thanks to the NPU in Intel’s Meteor Lake architecture, apps like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop can offload AI-powered tasks such as background removal, noise reduction, and object detection to the chip’s AI engine—freeing up CPU and GPU resources for faster performance and better battery efficiency.
Price & Configurations
| Configuration Tier | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Core Ultra 5 235H | Intel Integrated | 16GB | 256GB | $1,849 |
| Mid-Tier | Core Ultra 7 265H | Intel Arc iGPU | 32GB | 512GB | ~$2,199 |
| Premium | Core Ultra 9 285H | NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada | 64GB | 1TB | ~$2,999+ |
Financing options are available through Dell Pay, starting around $155/month.
Ratings Table
| Feature | Score (1–5) |
|---|---|
| Design | 4.5 |
| Build Quality | 5 |
| Performance | 5 |
| Display | 5 |
| Connectivity | 5 |
| Battery Life | 3.5 |
| AI Readiness | 4.5 |
| Value | 4 |
| Overall | 4.6 |
The Dell Pro Max 16 isn’t just a new name slapped on an old product. It’s a legitimate evolution, designed for users who demand power, portability, and polish. Whether you’re a software developer, creative professional, or executive power user, the Pro Max 16 delivers the tools you need—backed by Dell’s heritage of innovation.
A Look Back At The Dell XPS 16 Lineup
The Dell XPS 16 (model 9640) represents a bold step forward in Dell’s premium laptop lineup, offering high-performance specs in a sleek, modern design. With a 16.3-inch edge-to-edge display, Intel Core Ultra processors, and optional NVIDIA RTX 40-series graphics, the XPS 16 is tailored for creators, professionals, and anyone who wants power in a portable form.
Materials and Durability
Dell continues its tradition of precision craftsmanship with the XPS 16’s CNC-machined aluminum chassis and Gorilla Glass display. The build quality is top-tier, with minimal flex and a rigid frame that’s both durable and elegant. The seamless glass touchpad and ultra-thin bezels give the machine a futuristic and minimalist aesthetic.
The laptop is available in two finishes—Platinum and Graphite—offering a premium feel and look suitable for both business and creative environments.
Display Options and Visual Experience
The XPS 16 features two display choices:
| Display Option | Resolution | Type | Refresh Rate | Touchscreen | Color Gamut Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHD+ | 1920 x 1200 | IPS LCD | 60Hz | No | 100% sRGB |
| OLED 4K+ | 3840 x 2400 | OLED | 90Hz | Yes | 100% DCI-P3 |
The OLED panel stands out for content creators, with deep blacks, accurate colors, and sharp detail. It’s ideal for video editors and graphic designers who need precise color calibration. The 90Hz refresh rate also provides a smoother experience when scrolling or watching high-frame-rate video.
Performance and Hardware
The XPS 16 is equipped with Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors, which integrate an NPU (neural processing unit) for AI-accelerated tasks. It can be configured with up to:
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 64GB LPDDR5X RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6)
- Up to 4TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Whether you’re editing 4K video, working in 3D applications, or running multiple virtual desktops, the XPS 16 delivers smooth, responsive performance.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life varies by configuration. Models with the FHD+ display can reach up to 13–14 hours under regular workloads, while the OLED model typically offers around 8–10 hours due to the higher power draw. A 99.5 Whr battery ensures full-day performance for most users.
Fast-charging support via USB-C (with a 130W adapter) gets you back up and running quickly—ideal for mobile professionals.
Ports and Connectivity
| Port Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) | 2 |
| USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | 1 |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | 1 |
| Full-size SD Card | 1 |
While the port selection emphasizes USB-C, Dell includes a USB-C to USB-A and HDMI adapter in the box. All ports support DisplayPort and power delivery, enabling external monitors and fast charging through a single cable.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring high-speed internet and smooth device pairing.
Webcam and Biometric Security
The XPS 16 includes a top-mounted 1080p IR webcam, providing clear image quality and support for Windows Hello facial recognition. The fingerprint reader is built into the power button, offering a second layer of biometric security.
Notable Design Changes
- Capacitive Function Row: Dell replaced physical function keys with a touch-sensitive strip. This change has drawn mixed reactions, with some users appreciating the clean look while others miss tactile feedback.
- Larger Touchpad: The seamless glass touchpad is significantly larger than in past models, supporting precision gestures and multi-touch input.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 2024 XPS 16 different from earlier XPS models?
The 2024 model brings a 16.3-inch display, larger touchpad, new Intel Core Ultra chips, and RTX 40-series graphics. It also features a redesigned chassis, AI acceleration, and a 90Hz OLED option.
Can I upgrade the RAM or SSD?
No. Like recent XPS models, the RAM is soldered. The SSD, however, is upgradeable via a single M.2 PCIe slot.
How much does the XPS 16 cost?
The base model starts around $1,699.99, with fully loaded configurations exceeding $3,000, depending on GPU, storage, and display choices.
Is it good for gaming?
With up to an RTX 4070, the XPS 16 can handle modern games at high settings—though thermals are tuned more for creative workflows than hardcore gaming.
Does it replace the XPS 15?
Effectively, yes. While the XPS 15 is still available in some markets, Dell is clearly shifting its focus toward the XPS 16 as its flagship large-screen laptop.
