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| Dell will sell the Pro Max 16 MC16255 in a single colour option. |
Just when we thought the mobile workstation space couldn't get any more interesting, Dell has thrown a major curveball. Following the release of their Intel-powered Pro Max 16 and Pro Max 16 Plus models late last year—which currently retail for around $4,699 on Amazon—the company is pivoting hard in a new direction.
The new Dell Pro Max 16 MC16255 is here, and it represents a significant strategic shift: Dell is swapping out Intel's Arrow Lake architecture for AMD's latest silicon.
The AMD Advantage: Strix Point and Gorgon Point
If you were on the fence about whether to go "Team Blue" or "Team Red" for your next mobile workstation, Dell just made the decision a lot more interesting. The original Pro Max 16 paired Intel Arrow Lake-H processors with Nvidia RTX Pro Blackwell Generation GPUs, while the "Plus" variant stepped things up with more powerful Arrow Lake HX chips and the flagship RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell GPU.
However, the upcoming MC16255 generation is exclusively centered around AMD. Dell is offering a deep lineup of configurations featuring both Strix Point and the newer Gorgon Point APUs. This gives professionals a wide range of processing power to choose from, including:
- Ryzen AI 5 Pro 340
- Ryzen AI 5 Pro 440
- Ryzen AI 7 Pro 350
- Ryzen AI 7 Pro 450
- Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 370
- Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 475
By leveraging these AMD "Pro" chips, Dell is banking on superior power efficiency and integrated AI capabilities—key factors for engineers, data scientists, and creative professionals who run intensive simulations or render on the go.
Graphics and Display: Blackwell Efficiency Meets AMD Brawn
One thing hasn't changed: Dell’s commitment to Nvidia’s professional graphics lineup. The MC16255 will be configurable with the new RTX Pro 500 Blackwell and RTX Pro 1000 Blackwell GPUs. These aren't just rebadged consumer cards; they are built for ISV certifications and stability.
The RTX Pro 500 comes equipped with 6 GB of GDDR7 VRAM, while the RTX Pro 1000 steps it up to 8 GB of the faster GDDR7 memory. This combination of AMD CPUs and Nvidia Blackwell GPUs should create a versatile machine capable of handling complex CAD drawings and high-end video editing simultaneously.
Visual fidelity hasn't been overlooked either. Dell plans to offer four different WVA (Wide Viewing Angle) panel options. Users can choose between 1200p and 1600p resolutions, all running at a fluid 120 Hz refresh rate. For those who prefer a more tactile workflow, a touchscreen variant will also be available.
Ports, Power, and Practicality
Despite housing high-performance components, the Pro Max 16 MC16255 packs them into a chassis measuring 358 x 256 x 13.78~18.36 mm and starting at 2.1 kg (about 4.6 lbs). That’s respectable for a 16-inch workstation.
Connectivity is robust, ensuring you won't need a dongle for legacy gear. You get a Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and—crucially for modern accessory ecosystems—Thunderbolt 5.
To keep the lights on, Dell is offering two battery configurations: a 64 Wh unit for lighter workloads and a larger 96 Wh option for maximum unplugged runtime. Charging is handled via USB-C, with your choice of a 100 W or 130 W adapter depending on the configuration.
Internally, the machine supports up to 64 GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage, providing ample bandwidth for multitasking and quick file access.
Pricing and Availability
If you are in the United States, you won't have to wait long. Dell has confirmed that the Pro Max 16 MC16255 will be available starting March 24.
For our readers across the pond, details are still sparse. While the company hasn't confirmed pricing or release dates for other markets yet, you can keep an eye on the official product pages as they update. For now, UK-based professionals can check out Dell's official UK page for similar workstation options.
This move by Dell signals a growing trust in AMD's professional-grade hardware. Whether this "best of both worlds" approach (AMD CPU + Nvidia GPU) will outperform the native Intel models remains to be seen, but the specs certainly suggest a heated battle is brewing in the mobile workstation market.
