Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) 16" specifications and in-depth review

Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) 16"

Manufacturer: Dell

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) 16″ is a productivity laptop designed for versatile performance. Featuring a 16″ LCD, LED-backlit display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 px, it is well-suited for work tasks that require clarity. The laptop is equipped with a backlit keyboard for ease of use in low-light conditions and weighs 2140g, making it suitable for those who need a reliable portable device.

In terms of performance, the Dell 16 DC16256 comes with 32GB of RAM running at 5600 MHz and 1024GB of NVMe SSD storage for fast data access. Its CPU, with a base speed of 4 x 2 GHz and a turbo boost of 5GHz, provides solid multitasking capabilities. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 and includes a range of connectivity options, such as HDMI, USB Type-C, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, to ensure smooth integration with other devices.

Pros
  • The device supports Wi-Fi 6, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
  • It is equipped with a front camera for video calls or other uses.
  • The 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports provide versatile connectivity options for various devices.
  • It has an HDMI output, allowing easy connection to external displays.
  • The product includes stereo speakers, delivering an enhanced audio experience.
Cons
  • It lacks support for ray tracing and DLSS, limiting its suitability for high-end gaming or rendering tasks.
  • There is no Thunderbolt 3 or 4 support, reducing its compatibility with high-speed peripherals.
  • The device does not feature a MagSafe power adapter, which may be a downside for users preferring magnetic charging solutions.
  • It does not support fingerprint scanning or 3D facial recognition, limiting security options.
  • The lack of a stylus or dedicated optical disc drive may be inconvenient for some professional or media-related tasks.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who prioritize basic productivity tasks and multi-device connectivity. With features like USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports and HDMI output, it is well-suited for office environments, casual multimedia consumption, and basic remote work setups. The inclusion of a front camera and stereo speakers enhances its utility for video conferencing and communication needs, while Wi-Fi 6 ensures solid connectivity.

Who is this NOT for?

This product is not ideal for users who require high-end gaming or intensive rendering tasks, as it lacks support for ray tracing and DLSS. Additionally, professionals who rely on advanced security features may find the lack of a fingerprint scanner or 3D facial recognition limiting. It also may not be suitable for those needing a MagSafe adapter or an optical disc drive.

Design:

Type Productivity
weight 2140 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
volume 1684.236 cm³
width 356 mm
height 249 mm
thickness 19 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) 16″ has a sleek, productivity-focused design with a weight of 2140g and dimensions of 356mm in width, 249mm in height, and 19mm in thickness. It features a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light environments. While it does not use a fanless design or offer rugged construction, the laptop’s volume is 1684.236 cm³, and it is not weather-sealed, making it more suited for indoor, controlled environments.

Display:

screen size 16"
resolution 1920 x 1200 px
pixel density 141 ppi
Display type LCD, LED-backlit, IPS
has a touch screen
refresh rate 60Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) 16″ features a 16-inch LCD, LED-backlit, IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 px, delivering a pixel density of 141 ppi for clear visuals. The display is equipped with an anti-reflection coating to reduce glare, enhancing usability in bright environments. While it does not support touch input, the screen supports up to four external displays, offering versatility in multi-display setups.

Performance:

RAM 32GB
RAM speed 5600 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 1024GB
CPU speed 4 x 2 & 4 x 2 GHz
CPU threads 16 threads
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12
GPU clock speed 400 MHz
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 256GB
DDR memory version 5
turbo clock speed 5GHz
GPU turbo 3000 MHz
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 4 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) is equipped with 32GB of DDR5 RAM running at 5600 MHz, providing smooth multitasking performance. It also features a 1024GB NVMe SSD for fast data access and has a turbo clock speed of 5GHz for enhanced processing power when needed. With support for up to 256GB of RAM, this laptop is capable of handling demanding applications, while its GPU can be boosted to 3000 MHz for graphics-intensive tasks.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi) 11247
Geekbench 6 result (single) 2467
PassMark result 34459
PassMark result (single) 3878

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) delivers strong benchmark results, achieving a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 11247 and a single-core score of 2467. Its PassMark score is 34459, with a single-threaded result of 3878, indicating solid overall performance for both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 2
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
Has USB Type-C
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot
RJ45 ports 0
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 1.4
DisplayPort outputs 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
has AirPlay
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
has a VGA connector

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) offers a range of connectivity options, including a USB Type-C port and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-C). It also has an HDMI output with support for HDMI 1.4, allowing for easy external display connections. Additionally, it supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connectivity and includes an external memory slot for expandable storage, though it lacks Thunderbolt ports and RJ45 Ethernet support.

Battery:

battery size 64 Wh
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) is equipped with a 64 Wh battery, providing reliable power for extended use. However, it does not feature sleep-and-charge USB ports or a MagSafe power adapter, limiting certain convenience options for charging and powering accessories.

Features:

release date January 2025
has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
supports ray tracing
supports DLSS
has Dolby Atmos
Stylus included
Has a fingerprint scanner
number of microphones 2
Uses 3D facial recognition
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
has voice commands
has a front camera
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a gyroscope
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has an optical disc drive

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) features stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack for a solid audio experience. It also includes a front camera for video calls and has two microphones for enhanced audio capture. However, it does not support advanced features like ray tracing, DLSS, or Dolby Atmos, and lacks a fingerprint scanner or voice command functionality.

Miscellaneous:

clock multiplier 20
PassMark result (overclocked) 24477
render output units (ROPs) 8
texture mapping units (TMUs) 32
shading units 512
OpenGL version 4.6
GPU execution units 8
OpenCL version 2.1
Type Laptop, Desktop
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has an unlocked multiplier
Has NX bit
L3 cache 16 MB
L2 cache 8 MB
GPU name Radeon 860M
Has integrated graphics
Supports ECC memory
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 8000 MHz
CPU temperature 100 °C
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 28W
Uses big.LITTLE technology

The Dell 16 DC16256 (2025) is equipped with a Radeon 860M GPU, offering 8 GPU execution units and 512 shading units. It supports OpenCL 2.1 and has a base clock multiplier of 20. With 16MB of L3 cache and 8MB of L2 cache, it delivers solid performance. The processor utilizes big.LITTLE technology, and the system is capable of handling memory speeds up to 8000 MHz, though it doesn't support ECC memory. The CPU runs with a thermal design power (TDP) of 28W and can reach a temperature of up to 100°C.

Final Verdict

The product delivers solid performance for general productivity with its 32GB of RAM, USB Type-C connectivity, and HD multimedia capabilities. While it lacks advanced features such as ray tracing or DLSS, making it less suitable for heavy gaming or intensive creative tasks, it remains a reliable choice for users focused on basic productivity and multimedia communication. Overall, this device is well-suited for users seeking a balance of performance and versatility without requiring high-end graphics or advanced security features.