E6540 Owners Thread

Eh, I don't think it'd be over the top. The M3800/XPS15 have similar performance to this laptop graphics wise (not to mention this laptop reminded me that I prefer NVidia over AMD drivers). The 4800 can be configured to be higher performance, but it's going to be a better build quality and doesn't seem to have anywhere near the same cooling issues. If you're not using business applications, it shouldn't matter. If you want gaming performance, there are non-business class options that would do much better and still have good build quality (Sager/Clevo) at a nice price..

M3800/XPS15/M4800 are the only comparable Dell business class laptops anyway. Spec wise at least. I've got a little over a week until class starts up again, plus I've already got the Co tact info of a tech support team lead, so maybe I'll see if I can get them to comment on or do something about the heat issue...

Every laptop has its pros and cons so you'll have to weigh your options. If you already ordered one, just try it out and see if you like it more than you hate it. No one needs to defend their purchase around here, I'm. Just sharing my experience..

Hindsight being 20/20, I probably should've built a desktop and gotten a tablet or ultra thin.

 

Sorry JosephB, haven't looked at the E5540 so I can't compare them.

I currently have the Lenovo T540p along with the two Dells in my possession. I initially went with the Lenovo because I'd always heard how awesome the ThinkPad keyboards are but, just my luck, they seem to have changed them and I find the keyboard to be terrible. I also got a good price on it with EPP and holiday discounts so went for the 3k high res IPS screen which I really like. I just don't like that screen enough to overcome how bad the keyboard is.

1. It's kind of "clacky" in spots. As is the trackpad although I like the size of it and can avoid the clacking by tapping rather than pressing.
2. The backlight "bleeds" through the island style keys brutally. I often lie in bed on my side with my laptop next to me so I end up at a much lower viewing angle with respect to the keyboard vs sitting in front of it. It's blinding.
3. The backlight is either on or off. On my current Dell Studio 1537 and both of the other Dells, the backlight will turn off after a few seconds of not using the keyboard or trackpad.
4. The special function keys such as adjusting volume or brightness are on the regular function keys e.g. F5. I use function keys fairly regularly e.g. to refresh a web browser and by default on the Lenovo, the special functions get used instead. To refresh, I actually have to hold the "Fn" key and press F5. There is a workaround by using "Fn lock" but this activates a green indicator LED on the keyboard and I'd prefer it to be off although it's really not that big a deal.

Still trying to decide between the M4800 and E6540. They're both well built machines. Very solid. I got both mainly cause I wanted to compare the screen quality and was going to keep whichever had a better screen. Subjectively, they appear to be the same so that's become a moot point.

Leaning towards the E6540 due to size and lack of lights that can't be turned off on the hardware buttons for volume but just concerned about the whole heat thing. The weight of the M4800 is also a hell of a thing. I'm 6'2" and 220 pounds and I didn't think it would be a big deal but it's definitely noticeable.

 

Jumbie,

I understand that the T540P no longer has a Caps Lock and Hard Drive activity indicator Lights, but it is suppose to have a Caps Lock On_screen Indicator towards the Bottom Right of the screen.

1. On the T540P, what do you think of the Caps Lock On-Screen Display Indicator, does it get in the way as to be annoying ?

2. Which panel display did you get the E6540 with ? ... FHD 1920 or the 3200 ?

3. BTW, did you consider the M3800 ? If yes, why did you go with the M4800 instead to try ?

4. When do you have to decide by, between the E6540 and M4800 to be able to still return them ? .. How long does Dell give to return laptop for refund ?

 

1. I don't often use Caps Lock. I'll check for you later and update.

2. The FHD display. I got the T540p with the high res display because it was an IPS panel. Ended up not liking scaling things so ran it at non-native FHD resolution anyway. Cost for the QHD screen (that I'd end up not using anyway) was too high to justify purchasing.

3. No. Cost.

4. I bought them on the 1st during the period Dell was doing free shipping and easy returns so I have 30 days from invoice date. Basically the end of this month.

 

Do you not get keyboard back light bleed on your E6540? Because I do, and it's awful..

Would you be able to upload pics comparing the E6540 and the M4800 size wise? Is it much wider and/or thicker?

 

Here you go. Took some quick shots. Not the best but should give you an idea. M4800 on the left in the first pic and the bottom in the other two.

 

Jumbie,

1. Based on your pictures, is the M4800 Graphite Gray or Black ? ... I think it appears Gray, although on Dell's site it looks Black.

2. Is the Keyboard feel the same on both Models ? and do they both mmodels have a Backlit Keyboard?

3 One last question, how is the Fan Noise Level of both Models for modes of:
A) Normal Usage (e.g. Internet Browsing/running MS Office app, etc) ?

B) DVD Playback ?

C) Heavy use (i.e. a Game) ?

 

Definitely graphite gray.

The palm rest and screen border are black however.

To answer your other questions, the keyboards feel very similar and are both backlit with 4 levels of brightness.

Using the M4800 now (giving it a day and then the E6540 tomorrow) and it is pretty much silent (fans seems to be off) but I'm just surfing the web. My ambient temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit so that's probably helping. Fan may kick on in warmer temps.

Haven't tried a DVD and don't have one handy.

Don't game and not planning to install one to test so can't help you there. Last night I updated the BIOS to the latest and during the process the fan turned on to what I assume was maximum and it was pretty loud.

 

... I also think that these 2 models are the ones that I will end up choosing among, since I don't like what they did to the thinkpad 540P and I am used to the superior (inmo) my current thinkpad T61.

... Oops, I thought of a few more questions:

1. Are the FHD Screens of the M4800 and the E6540 of the same quality to you, when viewing them for color. sharpness, etc.
2. Did you get *both* models with the Fingerprint Reader ?
3. Did you get the M4800 with the AMD or Nvidia graphics ?
4. I assume both models are the I7 processor ?
5. Both models have Win 7 64bit installed and come with a Win 8 dvd ?

 

*See edit

Yeah, really not liking the T540p at all.

1. Screens subjectively seem the same. I notice a faint gridlike pattern on them. Only really noticeable at close viewing distances. Not sure how to describe it but I've seen it on other displays in the past. I'm beginning to regret not getting the QHD+ display for that reason because the notebookcheck review says that the display is pretty good. I'm now reading through the M3800 thread on here and by all accounts the display on that is great but I guess that doesn't mean much since it's a touch panel. It's also glossy and IGZO and this one isn't so I'm not sure how they'll compare. For some reason, I had it in my head that the M4800 had an IGZO panel too but it doesn't say that anywhere on the specs.

[edit]

Actually, I was going on memory (juggling these three computers is getting to be a bit of a pain) and I just fired up the E6540 and I'm not seeing the grid pattern on it like with the M4800.

While they both aren't really very good screens IMO, I'd give the edge to the E6540 over the M4800 for my use.

[/edit]

2. No fingerprint readers.

3. AMD. Didn't care either way since I don't plan on gaming and I'm not using it for CAD. I'm fine just using the Intel 4600 although if it came with Iris, that would have been better.

4. Yes. Exact same processors. 4800MQ

5. Both came with Win7 64bit Pro. M4800 came with system restore + driver/application DVDs. Nothing with the E6540.