FHD display on Precision M4800 vs Latitude 6540?

Hello all, recently bought a Lenovo T540p that's still within the return period. First ThinkPad ever but looks like I bought at a bad time because they seem to have done away with the legendary keyboard I've always heard so much about and I really don't care for the one on it now. I got it with the 3K high res display but running it at FHD resolution for the sake of my vision and to avoid Windows' poor scaling ability.

I'm not really that happy with the machine for a couple of reasons and I'm now considering either the M4800 or 6540 and was wondering if anyone is aware of a difference between these panels at the FHD resolution. I'm not interested in the QHD panel on the M4800 even though I believe it is a better one. For what it's worth, the 3k panel on the Lenovo is IPS and it's amazing.

I don't work in CAD or photography/video. Just an end user that wants the build quality of a business class machine.

 

Well, I guess I'll answer my own question in the next 10 days or so. Since Dell is doing free shipping and returns, I ordered both machines. Will see which I prefer and how they compare with the T540p's.

 

The dell precision line are some expensive machines so the conponents of those should be of much better quality.

Try to avoid the e6540 because the cooling system on it is inferior to the cooling system of M3800/M4800.
Single fan and standard voltage CPU and GPU will not work well in the long run. And you can also expect some throttling issues.

Or you can take a look at the E7440, which has a low voltage CPU that wont generate much heat, and I've read that it has a very nice ips-panel.

 

I have a e6530 at work and an M4800 at home ... the 6530 has an AUO screen, while the Precision has an LGD032C. The Precision's screen is just a smidgeon better, and it has far better cooling.

 

Yeah, I was reading about the throttling/heat issues with the E6540. Was hoping they wouldn't be a problem since it is a slightly lighter machine which I'd prefer even though I don't really move my computer around too much..

Thanks for the info. I'll see how they compare when they arrive. Was hoping for more than a smidgen better though.

 

Jumbie,

What did you think of the M4800. I am on the fence and wanted your opinion. I am also moving from a thinkpad (W530).

Did you get the FHD screen or the high dpi one? I was interested in getting your opinion on the FHD. Also, what did you think of the keyboard. Thanks!!

 

I really like this machine.

Keep in mind that I'm a regular home user though and I'm not using this work for CAD, running VMs, etc. I just wanted something more reliable with better build quality as my last Dell Studio 1537 broke at both hinges (otherwise still running fine and I was happy with it and not planning to upgrade).

It's built like a tank.

Got the QHD screen as I'd previously gotten it with the FHD screen and it really was subpar. Very visible screen door effect.

I'm running the display at native with scaling. Works pretty okay for most of my programs and the ones that have scaling issues are not ones I run often or spend a lot of time in so I can deal with it for the short time I have to use them.

Keyboard is good. Nice amount of resistance and not too clicky.

Touchpad isn't great but I use an external mouse 90% of the time.

 

Jumbie,

What DPI number did you end up settling on ?

 

200 percent.

 

Thanks for info.
... Btw, are you using the M4800 with Win 7, Win 8, or Win 8.1 ?