Dell launches Pro Max laptops with AI features & 4K OLED
Pro Max Premium features
The Dell Pro Max 14 and 16 Premium laptops are positioned as models balancing mobility, design and advanced functionality. The devices feature a modern aesthetic, and, according to Dell, have the smallest footprint of 14- and 16-inch mobile workstations on the market. The Premium 16-inch model includes what is described as the world's first 4K Tandem OLED display for a mobile workstation, certified with VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000.
The display aims to bring improved content presentation, with greater clarity and colour depth for tasks such as creative project work and collaborative engineering. Dell states that their laptops are built to cater for the needs of highly demanding workflows without unacceptable sacrifices in portability or design.
The Premium laptops use NVIDIA RTX PRO 3000 Blackwell laptop GPUs and up to 45W Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors. Dell states that these new models provide a 19% and 23% boost in graphics performance over the previous generation for the 14- and 16-inch models respectively, based on internal testing. This is intended to allow smoother performance in tasks such as video editing and data analysis.
Pro Max Plus for heavy workloads
The Dell Pro Max Plus range, aimed at even greater performance, comes in 16- and 18-inch form factors. These laptops are targeted at users requiring additional screen real estate and processing power, such as those involved in AI modelling, complex simulations and large-scale data analysis.
The models feature NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell GPUs, up to 55W Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processors, and storage capacities up to 16TB. According to Dell, the new Pro Max 16 Plus and Pro Max 18 Plus models deliver graphics improvements of 53% and 44% respectively when compared to the previous generation. These results are based on benchmarking against earlier models, as referenced in Dell's internal testing reports.
Advanced thermal management is another element highlighted in the Pro Max Plus series. Dell claims that their patented thermal technology allows for up to a 36% increase in total performance while keeping the devices cooler during resource-intensive tasks. CAMM2 memory support with modules of up to 256GB, due to become available this year, is designed to facilitate increasingly demanding AI and specialty workloads.
Entry-level Pro Max options
For users with lighter workloads or those new to the Pro Max range, the Dell Pro Max 14 and 16 offer performance and reliability at a more accessible entry point. Weighing from 3.95 pounds for the 14-inch model, these laptops prioritise portability while maintaining operational battery life - up to 18 hours on the 14-inch and 20 hours on the 16-inch, according to Dell's internal evaluation.
Processors include AMD Ryzen AI for the first Copilot+ PCs in the Pro Max line, allowing devices to reach 50+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second) on the NPU, and access a set of exclusive AI-powered features. Options also include up to 45W Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors and, in the upper configurations, NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell GPUs supporting 572 AI TOPS. Dell reports up to 36% and 33% performance improvements for the 14- and 16-inch variants, compared to their predecessors.
The Pro Max 14 and 16 are positioned for users such as financial analysts and emerging creators who require dependable everyday performance.
Security and sustainability
The new Pro Max laptops incorporate security features for commercial use. Dell highlights that with AI workloads processed on-device rather than in the cloud, sensitive data remains local, potentially reducing exposure to external threats. Manageability tools enable IT departments to oversee devices in a fleet more easily.
Sustainability is also addressed in the Pro Max range. Dell reports that the new laptops utilise recycled and bio-based materials, including magnesium, plastics, ocean-bound plastics, aluminium, and cobalt. Recycled content is integrated into various laptop components such as speaker housings, covers, palmrests, and batteries, with some models incorporating up to 98% recycled plastic in specific parts. The modular USB-C port and easy-access service doors in certain models are designed to enhance durability and facilitate repair and upgrades.
Operating system and transition support
All models in the new Pro Max lineup run on Windows 11, which Dell notes delivers enhanced security and a modern user experience, including productivity tools such as Copilot for Windows. These features are promoted as aiding users' transition ahead of Windows 10's end of support in October 2025.
Dell's portfolio strategy includes addressing growing workload demands with new devices and serviceability features. As stated in the release, "If your current technology is starting to strain under new and growing demanding workloads, now is the moment to upgrade to Dell Pro Max."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Techday NZ
18-07-2025
- Techday NZ
Dell launches Pro Max laptops with AI features & 4K OLED
New Dell Pro Max high-performance laptops and audio solutions are now available, offering a range of features designed for power users, engineers, creators and AI developers. Pro Max Premium features The Dell Pro Max 14 and 16 Premium laptops are positioned as models balancing mobility, design and advanced functionality. The devices feature a modern aesthetic, and, according to Dell, have the smallest footprint of 14- and 16-inch mobile workstations on the market. The Premium 16-inch model includes what is described as the world's first 4K Tandem OLED display for a mobile workstation, certified with VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000. The display aims to bring improved content presentation, with greater clarity and colour depth for tasks such as creative project work and collaborative engineering. Dell states that their laptops are built to cater for the needs of highly demanding workflows without unacceptable sacrifices in portability or design. The Premium laptops use NVIDIA RTX PRO 3000 Blackwell laptop GPUs and up to 45W Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors. Dell states that these new models provide a 19% and 23% boost in graphics performance over the previous generation for the 14- and 16-inch models respectively, based on internal testing. This is intended to allow smoother performance in tasks such as video editing and data analysis. Pro Max Plus for heavy workloads The Dell Pro Max Plus range, aimed at even greater performance, comes in 16- and 18-inch form factors. These laptops are targeted at users requiring additional screen real estate and processing power, such as those involved in AI modelling, complex simulations and large-scale data analysis. The models feature NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell GPUs, up to 55W Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processors, and storage capacities up to 16TB. According to Dell, the new Pro Max 16 Plus and Pro Max 18 Plus models deliver graphics improvements of 53% and 44% respectively when compared to the previous generation. These results are based on benchmarking against earlier models, as referenced in Dell's internal testing reports. Advanced thermal management is another element highlighted in the Pro Max Plus series. Dell claims that their patented thermal technology allows for up to a 36% increase in total performance while keeping the devices cooler during resource-intensive tasks. CAMM2 memory support with modules of up to 256GB, due to become available this year, is designed to facilitate increasingly demanding AI and specialty workloads. Entry-level Pro Max options For users with lighter workloads or those new to the Pro Max range, the Dell Pro Max 14 and 16 offer performance and reliability at a more accessible entry point. Weighing from 3.95 pounds for the 14-inch model, these laptops prioritise portability while maintaining operational battery life - up to 18 hours on the 14-inch and 20 hours on the 16-inch, according to Dell's internal evaluation. Processors include AMD Ryzen AI for the first Copilot+ PCs in the Pro Max line, allowing devices to reach 50+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second) on the NPU, and access a set of exclusive AI-powered features. Options also include up to 45W Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors and, in the upper configurations, NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell GPUs supporting 572 AI TOPS. Dell reports up to 36% and 33% performance improvements for the 14- and 16-inch variants, compared to their predecessors. The Pro Max 14 and 16 are positioned for users such as financial analysts and emerging creators who require dependable everyday performance. Security and sustainability The new Pro Max laptops incorporate security features for commercial use. Dell highlights that with AI workloads processed on-device rather than in the cloud, sensitive data remains local, potentially reducing exposure to external threats. Manageability tools enable IT departments to oversee devices in a fleet more easily. Sustainability is also addressed in the Pro Max range. Dell reports that the new laptops utilise recycled and bio-based materials, including magnesium, plastics, ocean-bound plastics, aluminium, and cobalt. Recycled content is integrated into various laptop components such as speaker housings, covers, palmrests, and batteries, with some models incorporating up to 98% recycled plastic in specific parts. The modular USB-C port and easy-access service doors in certain models are designed to enhance durability and facilitate repair and upgrades. Operating system and transition support All models in the new Pro Max lineup run on Windows 11, which Dell notes delivers enhanced security and a modern user experience, including productivity tools such as Copilot for Windows. These features are promoted as aiding users' transition ahead of Windows 10's end of support in October 2025. Dell's portfolio strategy includes addressing growing workload demands with new devices and serviceability features. As stated in the release, "If your current technology is starting to strain under new and growing demanding workloads, now is the moment to upgrade to Dell Pro Max."
Techday NZ
03-07-2025
- Techday NZ
Most fintechs fail API security, risking sensitive payment data
New research conducted by Raidiam highlights significant weaknesses in API security across fintech companies, SaaS platforms, payments firms, and other enterprises operating outside regulated environments such as Open Banking. The report, which assessed security practices at 68 organisations, reveals that 84% remain vulnerable due to insufficient API protections, even when dealing with sensitive or high-value data. Widespread vulnerabilities The research indicates that 85% of the surveyed organisations handle either payment data or special category personal data, yet only one met the benchmark for modern, cryptographic API protection. The study found that outdated or insufficient controls—such as the use of static API keys and basic OAuth secrets—prevail among most firms, leaving them open to exploitation. "We've all read the recent headlines; API security should not be an afterthought. The gap between the sensitivity of data and the strength of controls is a board-level risk – not just a technical issue," said David Oppenheim, Head of Enterprise Strategy at Raidiam. Of the organisations surveyed, 57 out of 68 use bare API keys or basic OAuth credentials, mechanisms that have well-known security vulnerabilities. Less than half conduct regular API-specific penetration testing or runtime anomaly monitoring, measures deemed essential for identifying and addressing potential attack vectors in real time. Real-world consequences The report points to the 2023 Dell partner API breach as evidence that attackers are already actively exploiting these weak points in enterprise systems. These incidents underscore a growing risk for any entity exposing sensitive APIs without robust protective measures in place. According to the report, a Security vs Sensitivity Matrix mapping exercise revealed a severe misalignment between the sensitivity of the data held and the strength of security controls implemented. This mismatch increases the likelihood and potential impact of security incidents. "We found that even firms handling payment and personal data still rely on static API keys and basic secrets. In today's threat landscape, that's the digital equivalent of leaving the vault door open," Oppenheim added. "In regulated environments like Open Banking, stronger controls like mutual TLS and certificate-bound tokens are already standard. Outside those frameworks, there's a gaping hole." API risk in unregulated environments is becoming a prominent concern in the industry. In early 2025, the Chief Information Security Officer at JPMorgan Chase issued a public warning about rising vulnerabilities linked to third-party platforms, advocating for a shift towards prioritising security over rapid development. Gartner statistics cited in the report indicate that API breaches tend to leak 10 times more data than traditional attacks. The report states, "This isn't theoretical — attackers are already in." Recommendations for addressing risk The report provides a four-step action plan for organisations seeking to bridge the gap between data sensitivity and protection. It recommends elevating API security to a board-level priority, modernising controls through cryptographic methods such as mutual TLS (mTLS) and sender-constrained access tokens, increasing investment in developer awareness and security testing, and working with trusted partners to accelerate adoption of proven standards and infrastructure. Raidiam's expertise in secure digital data-sharing ecosystems is currently being made available to assist enterprise organisations in bringing API security standards up to date and closing the gaps identified by this research. Follow us on: Share on:
Techday NZ
06-06-2025
- Techday NZ
Cloudera joins AI-RAN Alliance to boost telecom AI networks
Cloudera has joined the AI-RAN Alliance, a consortium of telecom and artificial intelligence companies working towards integrating AI with next-generation telecommunications infrastructure. The AI-RAN Alliance includes companies such as Dell, NVIDIA, SoftBank, and T-Mobile, and focuses on embedding AI into telecommunications systems with a particular emphasis on radio access networks (RAN). The group aims to address challenges such as standardising AI integration, enabling shared AI infrastructure, and developing applications that support the evolution of telecom networks. Telecommunications companies worldwide are increasingly exploring virtualisation and modern infrastructures to optimise network operations and reduce costs. By incorporating AI, these providers seek to enhance network service efficiency and open new avenues for service innovation. However, deploying AI at scale in distributed edge environments and across radio access networks presents a range of technical and operational complexities. Cloudera's addition to the consortium is intended to bolster efforts to manage real-time data, advance edge AI capabilities, and develop hybrid machine learning operations (MLOps) throughout telecom environments. The company brings experience in managing data across hybrid and mixed infrastructure, which the alliance hopes will advance real-time data utilization and edge-to-core orchestration. Within the alliance, Cloudera will participate in the 'Data for AI-RAN' working group. This initiative aims to develop standardised data orchestration frameworks, facilitate automation of network operations using large language models, and implement hybrid-enabled MLOps across telecom and AI workloads. Cloudera's expertise is expected to help align data and AI workflows with the operational requirements of telecom providers and to promote quicker innovation and deployment of AI-native solutions. The company will also contribute to the alliance's three main objectives: AI-for-RAN, AI-and-RAN, and AI-on-RAN. These aims relate to applying AI directly to RAN operations, integrating AI with RAN functions, and deploying AI applications on RAN platforms, respectively. As part of its role, Cloudera plans to help create reference architectures, validate them in live network environments, and encourage model reuse among consortium members. Cloudera's technology will be used to demonstrate real-time decision-making capabilities at the network edge. This includes providing support for scalable preparation of training data, facilitating MLOps, and operationalising AI inference while maintaining governance, visibility, and coordinated orchestration from network edge to core. Abhas Ricky, Chief Strategy Officer at Cloudera, said, "Cloudera is proud to bring its data and AI expertise to the AI-RAN Alliance. The network is the heart of the telecom business, both in driving margin growth and in service transformation, and AI can unlock substantial value across those dimensions. Given our leadership in the domain - having powered data and AI automation strategies for hundreds of telecommunications providers around the world, we now look forward to accelerating innovation alongside fellow AI-RAN Alliance members, and bringing our customers along. Our goal is to help define the data standards, orchestration models, and reference architectures that will power intelligent, adaptive, and AI-native networks of the future." Jemin Chung, Vice President Network Strategy at KT, commented, "We are proud to collaborate with Cloudera and fellow AI-RAN Alliance members in the 'Data for AI-RAN' working group. As AI becomes increasingly central to next-generation networks, the ability to harness data securely and at scale will be a key differentiator. Through this initiative, we look forward to defining best practices that enable AI-centric RAN evolution and improve operational intelligence." Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi, Principal Fellow, SoftBank's Research Institute of Advanced Technology and Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance, said, "Cloudera is an incredible addition to the AI-RAN Alliance, which has grown rapidly as demand for improved AI access and success increases across the industry. The company's leadership in data and AI, combined with their extensive telecommunications footprint, will play a vital role in advancing our shared vision of intelligent, AI-native networks."
