Dell Precision M3800 Owner's Review

So far it seems to be luck of the draw. Some people have gotten motherboard replacements that fixed the issue, others have gotten replacements that had the same issue. That tells me that there's either some allowed manufacturing variation where some boards have the issue and some don't, or that Dell has actually made a production change to eliminate the coil whine but they're still using some existing inventory for new units and warranty replacements that have the old design. Either way, I think if you want a higher likelihood that the issue will be fixed, you should wait a few months before requesting a replacement. Although even then, you have to weigh the expected benefit against the potential risk of a Dell repair tech messing something up during the repair. I've had a few too many experiences like that recently (they were great up until a few years ago in my experience....), and considering how tightly built this system is and how many tiny connectors are on the motherboard, I'm not sure I'd want a tech to tear into it, personally.

 

One other problem I forgot to mention:

* sometimes there is an annoying buzzing noise coming through my headphones when connected to the computer. It's weird because it's inconsistent, though, and it seems somewhat random.

I noticed the trackpad issues, but I did a fresh install almost as soon as I got the laptop, so I didn't have time to experience the others.

Aside from the Windows activation process, I don't see how the Dell Win7 disk would be any different than the standard retail ISO I used, so I agree that it probably won't fix the problems I'm having, but I'll give it a try anyway.

I put an mSATA SSD in the computer since it didn't come with one, so I needed to install Win7 on it. Apparently you have to use a special disk from Dell in order for Windows to activate, though (a standard Win7 disk installation won't activate). Creating an image of the original installation may have worked as well..

 

Discovered a dead pixel today


(sorry for the poor quality pic, it's from my cell phone)

I think it may have just appeared because I probably would have noticed it earlier if it had been there.

 

I had two from the start. Pixels are so small it's not really noticeable during work (for me).

 

It seems dust under the glass, dead pixels are perfectly square

Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2

 

This question was asked before, but I don't think an answer was given.

Does the BIOS support RAID?

it seems the chipset has the capability, but did Dell allow this?

 

It's likely a cluster of subpixels. I have a few being fixed on Monday. They do look like dust under the glass - mine even have thread like tails-until you get out a loupe and look closely at the grid and see that it is indeed display elements.

 

The only supported RAID mode is Intel Smart Response. It does not support traditional RAID configurations.

 

The chipset has the capability, but BIOS has not RAID option.
Someone might try a software RAID:
How to Create a Software RAID Array in Windows 7

 

Just checked my M3800, and it is the Sharp. 61 Whr battery, 256gb+500gb configuration (as it arrived, 500gb is long gone.)

--

My only comment on the panel is that it's so much better than the HD/HD+ panels on my various Latitudes that I can't comment on any downsides.

Mine sort of does that, but there's a nearly 100% reliable workaroud; if it's been slept briefly, it comes up normally. If it's been slept a while, longer than a few minutes, it typically comes up in a mode like you describe.

Luckily, a quick single tap of the power button, and it's asleep again. Tap that again, and it wakes up with the screen working. You might try that...

This is just standard activation-free bios key file + product ket file; the automatic-activation Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate CD from any Dell new enough to have come with Windows 7 will work.

Any Dell-specific OEM DVD will work. The issue with the product key off the preinstall image is that it is generic, and will only work with the Dell-specific BIOS key.

There are generic OEM ISOs (which use an individual key) and royalty-OEM ISOs which use the SLP key in the BIOS, the corresponding half of the key on the manufacturer-specific image, and a universal product key (e.g. unlike with Windows 8/8.1, the product key used for Windows 7 will be the same for all M3800s, and indeed, probably all Dells.)

It's not clear to me that they will ever activate the royalty OEM keys over the phone; if you have a qualifying system BIOS and a royalty-OEM specific disk, you don't need to activate.

That's correct. It automatically uses its own product key, and it has a cryptographic key file that matches a key in the BIOS. It only works on Dells, and specifically on Dells new enough to have been sold with Windows 7 (e.g. not on the Latitude D-series.)