Windows takes a backseat on Dell's latest AI workstation as Linux gets the priority:
Dell has a solid track record with Linux-powered OSes, particularly Ubuntu. The company has been shipping developer-focused laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed for years.
Many of their devices come with compatible drivers working out of the box. Audio, Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt ports, and even fingerprint readers mostly work without hassle. My daily workhorse is a Dell laptop that hasn't had a driver-related issue for quite some time now.
And a recent launch just reinforces their Linux approach.
Dell just launched the Pro Max 16 Plus. It is being marketed as the first mobile workstation with an enterprise-grade discrete NPU, the Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card. It packs 64GB of dedicated AI memory and dual NPUs on a single card.
Under the hood, you get Intel Core Ultra processors (up to Ultra 9 285HX), memory up to 256GB CAMM2 at 7200MT/s, GPU options up to NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell with 24GB VRAM, and storage topping out at 12TB with RAID support.
Interestingly, Phoronix has received word that the Windows 11 version of the Dell Pro Max 16 Plus won't ship until early 2026, while the validated Ubuntu 24.04 LTS version is already available.
With this, Dell is targeting professionals who can't rely on cloud inferencing. It says that the discrete NPU keeps data on-device while eliminating cloud latency, enabling work in air-gapped environments, disconnected locations, and compliance-heavy industries.
[Ed. note: NPU is a neural processing unit designed to accelerate AI and machine learning tasks]
(Score: 2) by chucky on Friday December 05, @10:54AM (1 child)
I looked at Dell website and it looked like they’re offering it for both, not Linux first, Windows later. But the price tag…
(Score: 3, Informative) by RamiK on Friday December 05, @11:29AM
Look again under the Graphics card entry: The models slotted with "Qualcomm AIC100 PC Inference Card" are all running Ubuntu while the Windows models are slotted with "NVIDIA® RTX™ PRO 1000/2000/3000 Blackwell Generation" GPUs instead.
compiling...
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Friday December 05, @08:54PM
Dell just got put back on my list of "suppliers to consider" for when I replace my laptop.
Not the top, just in the list.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday December 05, @09:18PM (1 child)
Is there a reasonably standard architecture for NPUs yet?
Or is it a matter of each one manufacurer having its own design, so we have the whole issue of proprietary drivers showing up again, just like with GPUs?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 06, @02:54PM
We need an updated picture of Torvalds where he's giving the finger to one of the NPU companies.