Dell Precision M3800 Owner's Review

My M3800 has arrived today! That was a big surprise: I didn't expect to see it for another couple of weeks.

Per my request, the laptop came with the following configuration:

- 512GB mSATA SSD (Samsung SM841) - system boot drive
- 512GB 2.5" SATA hybrid drive (Seagate ST500LM000)
- Windows 8.1 pre-installed

 

If memory serves, someone earlier in this thread confirmed that the M3800 has NFC, but you're right I don't see it in the drivers list; that's hardly proof though, since I was working on an Inspiron 7437 build and noticed that the driver page was missing the Airplane Mode switch driver and something else I can't remember. Anyway, if you hop over to the XPS 15 driver page, the NFC driver is the NXP option. If you don't actually use NFC though, after you install the driver you can turn off the radio in Metro under Settings > Change PC Settings > Network > Airplane Mode. The radio might default to on with no driver installed.

If you want to perform a visual check for NFC, check out Page 18 of XPS 15's manual here. Strangely NFC isn't listed in the M3800 manual though.... do you have any unrecognized devices in Device Manager?

The accelerometer is indeed the free fall sensor. If you don't install the driver you'll have an unknown device in Device Manager, but once you install it, it will automatically disable itself when it detects that you only have an SSD, at least that's what happened on mine. You can verify that under Control Panel > Free Fall Data Protection.

 

Is there a docking station option for the M3800?

 

Only USB 3.0 options. Dell has the D3000 dock, which has the most comprehensive port selection I've seen out of those things. It's essentially everything a docking station is except for power running through the dock itself, which isn't possible through USB 3.0 of course. Note that the D300 does NOT come with an additional AC adapter like traditional docks, so if you want the convenience of a docking station, order a second AC adapter to keep parked with it. The only catch with any USB docking stations that have video out is that if you do a lot of high-refresh video activity (gaming, video editing), you might find that the DisplayLink option doesn't work for you, in which case you'll have to keep the displays directly connected to the machine; regular docking stations tie those outputs directly to the GPU. But USB 3.0 support on the D3000 should make the displays work well for most workloads. There's still a maximum resolution limitation on the video outputs running through that dock too though, so be aware of that.

 

Thanks buddy! It actually did improve the touchpad, 2-finger scroll registers a lot more consistently now.

 

OK, thanks for the information. Still prefer the docking station...just got so used to it.

 

To the owners, is there some keyboard flex present on your machines?

 

Got a ship notice this evening! A bit early; was supposed to be here on the 15th, will be here Monday now... maybe the shortage of QHD+ panels has finally started to pass?

 

No flex on mine. It's been only a few hours, but so far I am very happy with my laptop. Have not noticed any issues at all.

 

May I ask you about the keyboard layout of the machine for UK customers. Is the Enter key slim as in the US layout, or is it the fat one, typical for UK? I am so much after the slim version!

Thank you!