Dell Precision M3800 Owner's Review

Very funny. That's like asking if you could easily install that 12-cylinder Ferrari engine in your Prius.

 

Ok I just came across a very strange bug.

Got home from work and I had a movie on the laptop that I hadn't finished watching on the tram, so I turn the laptop on and don't connect anything to it. No AC, usb peripherals, nothing. I start the movie and set it to where I left off from my phone. It's working and the movie is playing.

Now I want to connect the AC, mouse and that USB Ethernet adapter, so I plug them all in, I think in the order of Ethernet -> Mouse -> AC

Some kind of sound emits from the top left corner and the computer freezes and goes into bluescreen. DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION was the error message.

I've had this happen before, but I assumed that it had something to do with the SSD, and I can't remember if I was plugging in the AC adaptor at the same time when it happened before.

Anyone else experience this BSOD error?

 

Actually yeah, I've seen the same BSoD maybe 3 times since I got the system. Each time I was just using it regularly, no connecting or disconnecting peripherals. It happened shortly after I'd played with Server 2012 R2 using Boot from VHD and had switched back to 8.1, but I doubt that's related. In any case, the 3 times were all in the same week or so after having used the system for months with no issues, and the last time it happened was several weeks ago. Definitely odd, and I think I've updated some drivers since then (and installed a BIOS update or two), but since the issue has gone away I'm not losing too much sleep over it. I did some Googling and the suggested causes and fixes were way too broad for me to deal with them all on a problem that isn't consistently reproducible and doesn't seem to have returned.

 

For the record. I got the part and the M3800 charges with much smaller old chargers... (65W) will see if it works on United....

 

Sorry if I'm asking this in the wrong place, couldn't find an Owners thread.

I just had the screen on my M3800 replaced because one section of the screen was permanently dim. I'm guessing the back-lighting was defective. It's a fairly new machine, had it less than a month. Anyhow, I just noticed that when I pick it up and hold it like I would a book, the lid doesn't stay closed. I think this is new, I don't remember seeing this before I had the screen replaced.

Have any of you experienced this? I know the magnetic latch on this wasn't as strong as on the Macbook Pro I have but now it's completely ineffective at keeping my laptop closed.

 

Ok, I have updated all of the firmware and drivers and this touchpad's performance is still terrible. There are tons of times where I try to move the arrow around and it literally won't move at all. Is there anything that I may be missing? I have turned off palm rejection, but the CPU is still behaving as-if it is still turned on. I have to believe that I am doing something wrong or missing something and that the performance is better than this.

Any help given on this issue would be awesome.

 

Hello Guys,


I just learned more about the Dell M3800, it seems a very impressive machine. I am currently a user for an old HP Envy 13-1007ev and has been a fan of IBM before Lenovo took over T43 ... now I am considering to get a Lenovo T440s or T440p as I think they are sturdy!

How is the M3800 when it comes to solidness of the chassis and sturdiness. My previous experience with Dell is very weak bodies ...

I am a heavy excel and data visualization user, with 4 virtual desktop splits working different programs on each.... do lots of remote desktop too ...

Thanks for your help...

RS

 

I have just managed to get a 91W/Hr battery and replace my 60W/Hr and 2.5" drive. Battery life has gone from poor to acceptable, solving my one real problem with this machine.

In the UK batteries are supposed to come from Dell Spare Parts, but they are useless and point you to a 3rd party who also can't help. I found that tech support can sell you "refurbished" parts, but in this case of batteries I'm not sure such a thing even exists!

My advice to anyone looking for more than very occasional "off power" use of this machine would be to avoid the 60W/Hr model. 3 hour battery life is really not acceptable these days.

 

@dactor: I'm coming from a T440s. You will REGRET choosing the T440s / T440p over the M3800. The Lenovo T440s/p have really serious issues, like the display bezel coming off, display is easily bent during transportation leading to pixel defects after using it for a while. Also, it suffers from constant noise coming out of the speakers, which still is not confirmed by Lenovo and they're not working on a fix; the Tx40x series also suffer from sudden data corruption issues in conjunction with some SSDs (especially Samsung 840 Pro and Basic). Other than that, the new touchpad is a NIGHTMARE! You need about 2 months to accurately hit right-click. There are serious quality differences between displays. Some are good, some are clearly inferior.

On the other hand, the M3800 currently only suffers from widespread coil whine, some Windows related (software) issues and WLAN issues (which all Ultrabooks have featuring the Intel WLAN N 7260, including the T440p and s). The coil whine issue is actively beeing worked on and Intel is working on a software solution for the WLAN problems. Most of the software issues have been fixed.

The M3800's case is sturdier than the T440s' case (which is easily bent by opening up the lid). Really, spend the extra money and go for the M3800. Else, you will regret it, I guarantee.

 

@tolga9009

I could not be more thankful for your review..... I truly was about to hit the button on the T440s and get one but the reviews were too scattered and made me worry. I can see the M3800 to be a powerful machine in a nice elegant dress if I am to simplify it. Sturdiness was my key matter.

Again thanks a million.... and will keep you guys posted with any other questions....