Dell Precision M4700 and M6700 - Preliminary Info

Ok, so it seems that Nvidia is the one to blame for all the delays with the release of new Precisions. HP just launched the new Elitebooks, but the Quadro's aren't available yet. Dell is probably waiting for those before launching the new machines. At least, that's my theory.

 

As already said by Aaron, there was no graphics switching for the AMD cards on the last Precision models (and none at all on HPs). Personally, I'd prefer a manual switching option (e.g. something like the wifi switch on the M6400, not sure if it changed on the M6600) to avoid driver problems with certain applications, but anything will do.

Yes, it is, but I almost never need my GPU for work and in those cases, sometimes I need the battery life of at least 2.5-3 hrs of light to medium work with WiFi.

IMHO, there are no better choices around if design, build quality and port options is of any concern (and personally, it is). I have an M6400 and absolutely love it and think it was the best 17" laptop at the time. Now, design-wise, I'd prefer the HP 8760W design (apart from the light grey part under the display) over the M6600 (whose color choices I find a bit dull and 8740W like). Moving down to 1080 screen will be hard, though.

OT: Likewise, I'm also trying to find a suitable replacement for my small 11,6" Acer which I bought as a temporary solution, but already have it for two years as there is always something missing on potential replacements (backlighted keyboard, design, matt screen, battery life, potent CPUs, etc.).

 

No official pics but the most recently linked "leak" article has some pics. At this point I think we're all expecting the M4700/M6700 to be pretty much exactly like the M4600/M6600 in terms of the exterior appearance and characteristics (including the keyboard).

 

If you are looking purely at specifications and include consumer laptops then yes, there are better choices out there.

At least for me, good service and support is a very desirable feature of any laptop purchase. If you add in "with a decent GPU" your only choices are Apple and business class workstations. A lot of people don't "need" a powerful CAD-level GPU, but they want one for casual gaming, testing out GPU computation/software, etc. So the Firepro makes much more sense since they don't want to pay extra for the Quadro solution.

There are also other situations. I do a lot of CPU intensive work (e.g. mathematical computations & VMs) and may prefer the improved cooling of the precision.

Personally, I would prefer a Latitude to the Precision. But the GPU in the Latitude is only slightly faster than the iGPU. The Latitude doesn't fit if you desire even a medium-level GPU.

Let's also not forget that odd pricing means you can sometimes get a equivalent or better workstation class laptop for not much more (or the same price) as a regular business laptop.

 

C'mon, Dell! This is ridiculous! HP has already launched their Elitebooks. Same with Lenovo and their W series. I can't wait to place my order, but if it's delayed for too long, I might switch over to the competition

 

- any info about a new dock?
- would new Keplers be able to output 3 digital monitor outs? (2 dock, 1 or 2 from the notebook). The previous quadros I believe can output only 2 outs, and I cannot find much info about it, but I red somewhere that there will be support for 4 displays.

 

Thanks you for answering my questions.

 

I'm not disputing your statement, but just noting that if you're referring to the link in this post here:

Then all of those pictures (except the covert edition) aren't even new M4700/M6700 pictures, they're just old ones of the M4600 and M4700. Of course, that likely means that they're so identical that it doesn't make sense taking new photos, but nevertheless, just putting that out there.

 

Quite true. Naturally, until Dell makes an announcement (or maybe if we get a better leak) then everything is still up in the air.

If it turns out true that the M4700/M6700 are very similar to the previous generation, they will probably continue to use the same docks.

The Quadros on the M4600/M6600 can drive two displays if you run with Optimus disabled or four displays if you run with Optimus enabled. To get four displays, two of them must be the system LCD and a display attached to the VGA port (as these are actually connected to the Intel IGP, though the Quadro can still render stuff on them using Optimus). So, only two digital outs can be used in any case. (This doesn't answer your question about what will be supported on the M4700/M6700, I am just clarifying the situation on the current machines.)

 

The last time I checked it was capable of driving 3 displays including the laptop. But that was when connected to the dock.

Exactly! Release too soon and risk one-upsmanship. Wait too long, and you may loose customers. The 8770 is becoming more and more attractive everyday.