Dell Precision M6700 Owner's Review

Still trying to figure this one out. You are seeing "Extreme" banding and I am not seeing any banding. Chris is not seeing any banding. Either your definition of extreme is very different, or what you are seeing is very different. Will keep trying to figure this out...

 

Planning on going with m6700 covet edition:

Friends, few questions:

1. what do I need to sacrifice if chose win 8 pro? I love windows 8

What do I use this laptop for?

1. Lots of data processing,
2. Lots of power point presentations with some protein x-ray crystallo graphics,
3. Drawing lots of chemical structures,
4. Children games (when I take home)
5. I also watch online movies sometimes.

I now have a refurb XPS 15 (L521x) system too with 128 mSATA, 750 GB hdd, and 16GB RAM and 2GB nVIDIA graphics 640m card and bluray player with i7 processor. I am having one issue or the other with in terms of Screen brightness, sound etc., heating issue

I am mainly looking at m6700 covet as a true desktop replacement and want to use it for at least 5 years. with out problems like my XPS 15 above.

Please help me to chose and send me your thoughts.

Thank you all very much

 

Sacrifices for Windows 8: Nothing hardware wise and anything that works on 7 will work on 8 software wise.

 

No comparison between L521x and M6700 really; soldered parts primarily on the former with discrete components on the later. This will help tremendously with heat dissipation and raw computing power. As a result you will love the switch if you can get over the size/weight differences.

why do you feel you need the "Covet" edition? I think they're beautiful, but if you're looking for something pretentious (i.e. coveted), then something other than a desktop replacement is probably your best bet as the M6x00 are not the best coffee shop systems, and a M4700 would likely suit your needs just as well.

As for your specific questions:

Data procession - can you be more specific? This is a four sheet Excel workbook to some, petabyte protein folding to others [some hyperbole present with that comment].

Power point presentations - any system can handle this, but am curious about the "graphics" you mention. Inserting an image into a Powerpoint can be handled by any computer; rendering the image in the first place not so much.

Drawing chemical structures - looking for CUDA acceleration, or is this 2 dimensional chem draw "connect-the-dots?"

Children games - web based Runescape, or Crysis/Metro2033?

Online movies - any system will handle it.



Again, the Covet is a beautiful system, but by the nature of discrete, slotted components on the M6600 and M6700, you can buy a base unit now for $1300 refurb on eBay (or $1700 on the Dell Outlet) and likely be set for 2-3 years. At that time, maybe drop $300 on a new video card, and you'll easily get 5 years on it if we're still using the same MXM3.0B interface.

As for the L521x, you can salvage the mSATA and 16GB memory for sure, as well as the HDD if you need. The M6700 does have two 2.5" bays, optical bay, and mSATA capabilities. This would still net you a fair amount ($500+) with the remaining parts on the local Craigslist likely.

Go for the Covet if you want it and have money to burn (or this is research grant funds ), otherwise you can likely get by with a lesser system.

 

Thank you, That's great to hear.

 

First of all, thank you!

The current system XPS L521X is second replacement by dell. I originally inherited a 14 inch XPS, 2 year old laptop from my boss and had several issues with it and then I got a XPS 5 refurb replacement first and then a second one now after returning the first replacement. I had several hours of trouble shooting on both of them from day one of me receiving it and I am finally fed up and more importantly disappointed and depressed due to the time lost.

In biological research, there is not much money to buy any laptops of these sort. These days, keeping a job is more important than asking a raise (to be honest for that matter even a proper chair to sit down). (Chairs are expensive if they come with fire codes etc., and that's what we are supposed to use in labs and hospitals).

I am hopeful that if I chose a M6700 (or similar), it will be reliable and sturdy and take me for the next 5 years at least. I am hopeful that I may get a better discount thru' our hospital, but not sure. If all goes well I will go with Covet. Covet because I love the color!

Data processing: I deal with lots of liquid chromaotograpy mass spectrometry (LC-MS) files. These files are really big. I have to find lipid and metabolite regulation (up or down) from say 50 LC-MS files in one go and get data to learn about differences etc. etc.,,

Graphics: I am not sure what is best. But, the need is that I am thinking of learning protein modelling to deal with lipids and other metabolites.

The other stuff like presentations etc. any machine can do but was only mentioning all my needs so you all can get idea of what I want to do.

The main reason for precision is because I read here that it is the best desktop replacement. I somehow have to manage the weight on my shoulders.

Thanks for your precious time.

 

Processing power: the M4700 and M6700 share the same CPU and can house the same amount of RAM so that will not be a problem. I've worked with LC before and while the data files can be big, the post processing could be done on a Pentium 4 when it came to finding or integrating peaks. Of course, that is only one scenario where I used LC to find ion concentrations.

Protein Modeling: If you're doing it in 3D, you'll definitely want a dedicated GPU, but unless you go for the super intensive stuff, the K2000m in the M4700 should be enough, that one doesn't come in red though. If you're doing calculations on those in terms of interactions then processing power would definitely come in handy.

As for carrying the M6700, a good backpack and you're set, I have no problems carrying mine to university every day.

 

Anyone have the eSata working with Win 8 on the 6700? I tried hooking up an eSata drive and Intel Rapid Store technology sees it but says unknown port. The device is not seen in Device manager. When hitting F2, the system lists the device. The eSata Device I am using is a Wiebetech Ultradock v4. I can hook it up via USB and that works, just not the eSata.

I googled this and found a few posts with similar situations where Win 8 does not see the eSata (not the m6700) and no fix. I am just wondering if this is something with Win 8 or something with the 6700.

thanks,

Mike

 

My preliminary research also indicates that there is no support for Avid's Pro Tools in W8. I'm not sure it that's changed, or how complex it is (these thing change by the minute), but it's something I must consider before I can upgrade to W8.

 

Thank you tijo:

Why 17inch covery version is because:

1. it can be as a nice desktop replacement and no need to hook up a screen etc., especially at home (my apt. is small with 2 kids and very less space, that's how it is in Boston). Also, I may not carry it everyday home and will only when I need to do so probably during the weekend or heavy workload.

2. I was in the impression that the covet version has the best of the parts in terms of quality and hence durability.

Lipidomics: I do lipid quantifications, and database searches. The machine consists of a triple quad and a trap as well as fluroscence, ELSD and PDA detetctors. All the data from every detector is collected for every run. hence the files are huge. Trying to find similarties or differences, up or down regulation etc., etc., from atleast 20 samples a time is no easy and requires immense power, that's my feeling. Please correct if I am wrong.

Crystallography: I am no expert here but trying to learn it so that I can show the interactions of lipids or metabolites with proteins. This made me envision that I may need a good graphic card. Please suggest which one may suitable.

Thanks very much