Dell Precision M3800 Owner's Review

It might be just a workaround, but see if you can get a USB hub (preferably a powered one) working with your M3800, and then see if you can get the mic working if its plugged into that. I think that would point to the computer rather than the mic as being at fault.

 

That is a good idea about the hub. I noticed that on my iPhone, even after swapping cables, I sometimes have to plug and unplug a few times before it is properly recognized by the computer.

I have my monitor at work plugged in to the computer, and if I connect the iPhone to the monitor, it always works the first time.

 

Not sure if our issues are for the same reason, but I was having a ton of USB issues with my Precision M3800 when I first got it, but I was able to finally straighten them out.

Here is my solution regarding the matter: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...00-owners-review.735359/page-355#post-9940960

Maybe this will help you, or maybe your issue is different from mine, but I have had zero USB issues with my M3800 since I made this post.

 

Question for everyone. Is it normal to see banding on grey backgrounds with this machine? I have started to notice it lately, and on the very edges of the banding it looks like there is "moving static" inside on the inside of the bands for lack of a better word. Not sure if this is common or not or what to do to fix it.

This happens in web browsers, applications, the desktop, etc... Pretty much anything that I use my computer for.

 

@Illustrator76,

I tried purchasing cables specified as you suggested. My iPhone now connects reliably the first time, every time. The new cable didn't help with the microphone.

Thanks,

Chris.

 

Hello guys, hope i'm not intruding, been doing some research but i feel like i need the opinion of the owners before buying.

I'm looking to get a light, high performance laptop for college work (engineering) as well as programming. I like the MacBook Pro 15 but the price bothers me so i've looked into the M3800 Precision and it sounds like a great alternative (cheaper and better performance). The 4K screen is important to me since i believe it greatly improves the workflow/studying and puts less strain on the eyes, but can i really take advantage of it the way a MacBook Retina does? (heard about scaling issues)

I've looked into the Dell website and noticed i can get the 4K screen one for $1600 right now with Ubuntu (i already have a Win license). Do you think it's worth getting right now? I believe the latest refresh was in January right? Are there any tips, alternatives i should know about? Also what about the two battery versions? Which is better and how to get it?

Thanks!

 

For what it's worth, I've been using mine since Jan 2014. I would be interested in trying the 4K screen but I'm quite happy with the 3.2K screen. I think the extra resolution might be in the area of diminishing returns. I have had a few scaling issues. Some flash based programs don't scale properly. Solidwork's lines and a few on screen icons (vs the button icons) are quite small/fine. However, overall I would find it hard to go back to a lower resolution screen. My previous computer (Precision M4400) was a 1920x1200 screen so I was already dealing with higher resolution displays. Anyway, I wouldn't panic too much about the high DPI issues. They are only getting better and were never that bad to begin with. The biggest one that does bother me is the use of a second display. I used to frequently use a second screen with my M4400. Since I was able to use 100% scaling on the laptop I had no scaling issues with the external screen. I also found that even a 1280x1024 screen was really useful. With the M3800 I either accept really large text on my external screen (thus making my current 1920x1200 24" display a bit silly) or I use Win8's scaling which results in all items on the scaled screen looking fuzzy. It's a bummer but the silver lining is that with good eyes and the high resolution of the M3800 I need the second screen less frequently.

 

I don't notice it on mine. But I have the 3K screen, so different screen (you have the 4K right?). By the way, I finally got to ordering the 28/24AWG usb cable, and will report back if it solves the USB issue. I remember you had mentioned that the stock Apple cable worked for you, but this was still problematic in my case.

 

Hello guys quick question, Is there a stylus available for this model with pressure sensitivity?

 

I have had a 3.2K Precision M3800 and now have a 4K one and I also have a first gen 15" Retina Macbook Pro. With the default windows scaling the working area on the 4K M3800 is noticeably better than on the rMBP, and if you start playing with the other resolutions on the MacBook the scaling isn't as smooth and all the work the GPU has to do shows up in terms of graphical performance. The screen on the first M3800 was a bit nicer than the rMBP and the current 4K screen really shows it up. 2880 x 1800 is a long way from 3840 x 2160 and it shows. The MacBook works effectively as a smoother than usual 1440x900 15" display, the original M3800 like a smoother 1600x900 display and the current 4K screen has the same working area as a 1920x1080 15" display if you use nice round scaling figures. I find 1440x900 on a 15" screen too cramped personally. Expect the next generation rMBP to move to 4K.

When I first got the M3800 in December 2013 scaling for HiDPI in windows apps was poor but the situation is a lot better now. The experience isn't as seamless as with the MacBook but it is rarely an issue anymore.

The only M3800 battery option worth considering is the 91WHr one, the battery life with the smaller battery is pathetic, you'll be lucky to do 3.5 hours. One area the rMBP kicks the M3800 into the weeds in is battery life.

All I can say is that I use the M3800 every day and I haven't turned on the MacBook for 2 months...