Dell Pro Max 16/18 Plus (2025 model) pre-release discussion — MB16250, MB18250

[MyPC8MyBrain]

I have the MB16250, MB18250, AA16250, and AA18250 all spec’d to the max, but I still can’t bring myself to pull the trigger on any of them. Every one of these new units feels compromised in one way or another. The MB16250 is probably the least compromised, but based on past experience its thermals are still weaker than the MB18250—and that one comes with the odd tall screen ratio that I’m not sold on.
 

I also looked at the AA16250 and AA18250. Hardware baseline is solid, but Dell removed every bit of modularity these platforms used to have. That alone is a huge step backward. And the configuration pages now look unprofessional and borderline insulting. The way they structure component options feels deliberate—almost as if they assume no one notices.
 

For example, they list a single 16GB or 32GB module supposedly running in “dual-channel,” yet they offer no 2×8GB or 2×16GB options, not even a basic single 8GB stick. Everything is pushed toward unnecessary upgrades and more expensive configurations that absolutely don’t need to be forced.
 

or they intentionally omit the top Intel CPU options from the AA16250/AA18250 lineup entirely.
How does that make any sense except for ‘going green’ on their cost structure?
 

What a sad state of affairs. For the first time ever, I’m seriously considering buying the discontinued 7780 instead.

[win32asmguy]

19 hours ago, MyPC8MyBrain said:

I have the MB16250, MB18250, AA16250, and AA18250 all spec’d to the max, but I still can’t bring myself to pull the trigger on any of them. Every one of these new units feels compromised in one way or another. The MB16250 is probably the least compromised, but based on past experience its thermals are still weaker than the MB18250—and that one comes with the odd tall screen ratio that I’m not sold on.
 

I also looked at the AA16250 and AA18250. Hardware baseline is solid, but Dell removed every bit of modularity these platforms used to have. That alone is a huge step backward. And the configuration pages now look unprofessional and borderline insulting. The way they structure component options feels deliberate—almost as if they assume no one notices.
 

For example, they list a single 16GB or 32GB module supposedly running in “dual-channel,” yet they offer no 2×8GB or 2×16GB options, not even a basic single 8GB stick. Everything is pushed toward unnecessary upgrades and more expensive configurations that absolutely don’t need to be forced.
 

or they intentionally omit the top Intel CPU options from the AA16250/AA18250 lineup entirely.
How does that make any sense except for ‘going green’ on their cost structure?
 

What a sad state of affairs. For the first time ever, I’m seriously considering buying the discontinued 7780 instead.

 

Well if you are going for a Pro Max 16 Plus it might have less of a battery drain issue under load as it is capped at 170W instead of 200W. Then just repaste the cooling system with PTM7950 and better VRAM putty.

 

I returned the Pro Max 18 Plus and opted for a Legion 9i Gen 10 instead. Its been a great machine and definitely the best 18 inch model I have used. Its a shame they did not offer a 1600p panel option in addition to the dual mode 1200p/2400p as that is what most people would want to use. I can even run 2x32GB at 5200MT CL38 in Gear2 and get close to 100ns memory latency with D2D and NGU overclocks.

[MyPC8MyBrain]

i don't need the latest bells and whistles, i need a platform i can trust and feel confident with.
none of these overhauled new models give me any sense confident over the precision line,
ill just build myself a maxed out 7780 and run it for the next stretch.

[AL123]

3 hours ago, MyPC8MyBrain said:

i don't need the latest bells and whistles, i need a platform i can trust and feel confident with.
none of these overhauled new models give me any sense confident over the precision line,
ill just build myself a maxed out 7780 and run it for the next stretch.

I’m seeing some crazy low prices on 7680 and 7780 on our dell portal, must have a fair few to shift.

 

they are definately a solid machine , but I will say cooling on the Pro Max 16/ 18 is another level particularly for heavy GPU workloads. 

[MyPC8MyBrain]

The 18-inch model increased screen size without increasing resolution — where is the 4K option, or even any panel choice beyond IPS? Meanwhile, the 16-inch model gains a few features over the 18 but drops the 4th NVMe bay. I'm also not sure what you’re comparing the new 16’s thermals against; in my experience, packing this much dense hardware into a smaller chassis leaves far less thermal headroom than the larger 17-inch and up designs.
 

And since Dell removed all modularity from Alienware, there’s no longer any option to order a non-ISV GPU like we used to on both platforms now.