Dell Pro Max 16 Plus launches with enterprise-grade discrete NPU for on-device AI
Dell has launched the Dell Pro Max 16 Plus , the first mobile workstation featuring an enterprise-grade discrete NPU designed for datacenter-class AI inferencing . The Linux version is available immediately, with the Windows version launching in early 2026.
The notebook integrates the Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card, a dual-NPU architecture with 64GB of dedicated AI memory that enables users to run AI models with up to 120 billion parameters locally. This configuration delivers FP16 precision performance without requiring cloud connectivity.
The discrete NPU addresses the growing demand for secure, low-latency AI processing in regulated industries. By keeping data on-device, the system eliminates cloud dependency and maintains data sovereignty—critical requirements for healthcare, finance, and government sectors where sensitive information cannot leave secure environments.
The architecture enables real-time inferencing without the latency of cloud roundtrips, which can add hundreds of milliseconds to processing times. Organisations also gain cost predictability by replacing recurring cloud inferencing fees with a one-time hardware investment.
Healthcare professionals can analyze MRI and CT scans directly at point of care, even in rural clinics with limited connectivity. Financial analysts can execute fraud detection models in air-gapped environments while maintaining complete data control. Legal teams can transcribe and redact sensitive documents entirely on-device.
Engineers and researchers benefit from local model validation and real-time processing of sensor feeds for robotics and computer vision applications. The system supports both Windows and Linux environments, integrating with existing IT infrastructure and security policies while delivering what Dell characterises as " edge server in a backpack " portability for field deployment scenarios.
The notebook integrates the Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card, a dual-NPU architecture with 64GB of dedicated AI memory that enables users to run AI models with up to 120 billion parameters locally. This configuration delivers FP16 precision performance without requiring cloud connectivity.
The discrete NPU addresses the growing demand for secure, low-latency AI processing in regulated industries. By keeping data on-device, the system eliminates cloud dependency and maintains data sovereignty—critical requirements for healthcare, finance, and government sectors where sensitive information cannot leave secure environments.
The architecture enables real-time inferencing without the latency of cloud roundtrips, which can add hundreds of milliseconds to processing times. Organisations also gain cost predictability by replacing recurring cloud inferencing fees with a one-time hardware investment.
Healthcare professionals can analyze MRI and CT scans directly at point of care, even in rural clinics with limited connectivity. Financial analysts can execute fraud detection models in air-gapped environments while maintaining complete data control. Legal teams can transcribe and redact sensitive documents entirely on-device.
Engineers and researchers benefit from local model validation and real-time processing of sensor feeds for robotics and computer vision applications. The system supports both Windows and Linux environments, integrating with existing IT infrastructure and security policies while delivering what Dell characterises as " edge server in a backpack " portability for field deployment scenarios.
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