Dell 16 Premium Evaluation: Contending with Leading Models

The Dell 16 Premium comes in various configurations. It can be equipped with either the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H or Core Ultra 9285H, and offers options of 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of RAM. Furthermore, you can choose to utilize Intel Arc integrated graphics or opt for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050, 5060, or 5070. Our test unit features a Core Ultra 7 255H, 32GB of RAM, and an RTX 5070 GPU. This is the priciest version available, as current configurations do not allow for both the Core Ultra 9 and GeForce RTX 5070 to be selected simultaneously. As configured, this model is priced at $3,200 (which includes the OLED screen and 1TB of storage).
The performance is, as anticipated, top-notch. The laptop manages productivity-related tasks with ease. You shouldn’t encounter issues with numerous browser tabs, emails, documents, spreadsheets, etc. It will handle all of those tasks efficiently.
More crucially, though, is its ability to manage more intensive tasks, such as video editing and gaming. In this regard, the laptop continues to excel. The RTX 5070 guarantees that the laptop is exceptional for creatives who require a machine that matches their demands. Essentially, this laptop aims to serve as the Windows equivalent of the MacBook Pro.
However, the entry-level MacBook Pro 16 is priced lower than the model we evaluated. For $3,200 or less, you can purchase a 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with an M4 Pro (14-core CPU, 20-core GPU). If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can opt for an M4 Max (14-core CPU and 32-core GPU). If your budget is strictly $3,200 and you’re okay with a smaller device, you can still acquire the M4 Max by choosing the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
In terms of CPU performance, both Apple’s M4 Pro and M4 Max surpass the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H in single-core and multi-core evaluations. They are also more power-efficient. Naturally, GPU performance is where things get more intriguing — for the most part, you can expect the RTX 5070 to outshine the M4 Pro, but not to match the performance of the M4 Max. In other words, if pure performance is your primary criterion, the M4 Max MacBook Pro takes the lead.
At this price segment, however, sheer performance might be somewhat less critical compared to other factors. Even the M4 Pro remains quite capable in graphic tasks, and it’s important to note that it is significantly more power-efficient than the Dell 16 Premium.
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