Dell Precision M3800 Owner's Review

A you sure you check the retention on screen?))
I've also noticed that a lot of people don't really see (or just don't want to see)) dead pixels)

 

No matter how hard I try to spot dead pixels, lit pixels, colored pixels, flecks of dirt or dust under the screen, I can't detect any. I've used this little test: Dead Pixels Test
Sure, there is the possibility that deep down I don't want to see them. Either way I'm happy.

 

People's opinions on this machine seem to run so far in either direction, I have no idea what to think anymore. The M3800 really seems to be either a "love" or "hate" type of workstation.

I don't know whether I should be paranoid or excited to possibly get one. The only other alternative is Macbook Pro, but price + software compatibility concerns have me very leery of going that direction.

 

In my long list of issues with my M3800's, I somehow forgot to mention one other issue I've been having: a black screen on waking up from sleep mode. This happened to me just a minute ago and I lost a bit of unsaved work (for the umpteenth time) because of it. All I did was close my lid, set the laptop aside for about five minutes, then open it up again. The keyboard backlights came on, but the screen remained black and pressing the power button and CTRL+ALT+Delete keys did nothing. I eventually had to just hold down the power button to crash it (for the umpteenth time).

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I'm pretty upset that I paid $1,800 for a computer with all of these problems.

 

Disable Intel Rapid Start if you haven't already. This is documented in the XPS 15 Wiki and appears to be an issue with Intel's app and/or some sort of driver conflict.

 

Does anyone know how AutoCAD scales with the qhd screen?

 

Using Windows 7 here and AutoCad 2014 seems to scale fine. At 3200x1800 and text/icons set to either 125% (best) or 150% AutoCAD UI looks good. AutoCad 2012 has problems when text/icons are set to 150%. I don't currently have 2013 installed so I can't report on that version. I'm mostly using 2012 at the moment and have had the resolution set for 2048x1152 but I think I'll try it at maximum resolution for the next couple of days and see if I have any issues.

John

 

I have just joined the forum, even though I have been reading and following much of this thread since beginning to consider a mobile workstation purchase in December. I am delighted to discover such an informed and helpful group of users.

I finally received my M3800 last week (Windows 7, HD resolution, 16GB, 256 mSATA SSD). I was determined to check for all the reported problems with the model, but have to admit that mine seemed perfect. However, I did have to send mine back this week, after I opened it with the intention of installing a 1TB Samsung EVO drive and discovered, that I had the 91 Wh battery stretched across the back of the base, instead of the 61 Wh, as the salesman assured me and service manual illustrated.

I am anxiously looking forward to my newly ordered replacement (this time with the QHD+ display, Windows 8.1, 512GB mSATA SSD, and 500 GB hybrid drive, which I plan to swap out for my Samsung EVO SSD).

Does anyone have any cautions or tips regarding such a drive swap and making the Samsung the boot drive?

I hope I do not regret my switch of displays. I was worried about the QHD+ display, when I decided to place my original order in February, but after reading how well images appear on it (and being an amateur photographer), I opted to chance it this time, with the hope that Lightroom, Photoshop, Solid Works and other appllications will soon catch up in their support of higher-resolution screens.

I must add that my first machine was the absolute quietest laptop I had ever used, but it will take me awhile to fully adapt to the M3800's touchpad.

 

I am also interested in a HDD swap.

I plan on ordering the base model M3800 w/ win7 very soon and have a Samsung 830 (ordered it a while ago and never got around to using it -_-) I would like to swap in as the main drive.

Thanks

 

Is there any way to change the battery to the bigger, 91Whr one? I am using msata and no 2.5 drive.