Kaby Lake Precision pre-release discussion (5520 / 7520 / 7720)

Probably, but so did the Crucial memory I bought. I prefer to be a little more sure now.

Interesting: Most likely these are the modules Dell installed in my system: XF875V
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingston-X...sh=item2604a72970:g:2CcAAOSwnFpbsF~E#shpCntId

 

Today I chatted with a very helpful Dell technician and they recommended me 8GB - 1Rx8 DDR4 SODIMM 2666MHz, Dell Part # A9206671 so I will order these.

Edit: The Dell A9206671 turns out to be incompatible with the 7520 also. I contacted the Dell helpdesk and they say that ONLY module Dell Part# F875V will work with my current 2x 8GB DDR4 2666. So, if you are in the same situation as me, be sure to buy the exactly same modules as you already have.

 

Anyone know if the Precision 7720 FHD display panel is the same one Dell used for the 7710? I'm considering ordering a 7720 with the FHD panel, but I can't find a good review of it. Notebookcheck has a great review of the 7710 FHD panel, however. Or does anyone have real world sRGB gamut and contrast ratio info for the 7200 FHD panel? Thanks

 

@JDDart
7710 and 7720 panels and display assemblies are interchangable. Are they are the same ones across generations?... Not always. Even within same generation we see different panel mfrs. Check with your seller for panel id and see if it's what you are looking for

 

I'm assuming that you mean that Dell uses the same panel in the 7720 as they did for the 7710, which is what I want to know. Or do you mean that even though they're different panels they're interchangeable?

 

Hi @JDDart, I've updated my comment to better say what I meant. They are interchangable between 7720 and 7710 regardless if one is 4k and the other is 1080p. And also regardless of panel Mfr.

Some 1080p had screen door effect., others did not. even within same generation there were different mfrs of the panels. Best to get the exact panel id of the system you are looking to purchase.

 

To be clear, Dell didn't even always use the same panel within one generation. They use at least three different panel manufacturers and its luck-of-the-draw as to which one you get when you buy a system new.

 

That's not too encouraging. I depend a lot on detailed reviews, especially test results for a mobile workstation's display. I'm a photographer, and unfortunately it's not just that I obviously need accurate colour and contrast in a display, but when I'm doing other work my "photographer's eye" sees everything online or wherever in terms of how accurate it looks. I literally can't work on a document or view websites if the display is garbage. So far in my journey, with the ThinkPads and Precisions I've used, I've been fortunate enough to have great displays. The Precision M6500 I have now has a beautiful display, especially pure blacks and whites, and finding the right combination of specs on another machine is becoming a challenge, given what I've been using. But photo editing software has advanced to the point where the M6500 can't really handle it anymore, and recently one of the hinges broke, so that was the final blow that forced me to start looking around. I actually bought a refurbished M6800 a couple of weeks ago, but sent it back because the display brightness was dismal. That's when I decided to buy new. If I order new from Dell, what are my options if I can't get the display calibrated to my liking?

 

Basically, you have two choices. First, you can ask Dell to replace the panel if you find the one that comes in the system to be unsatisfactory. Dell is typically accommodating of these requests, but it's the same thing with the replacement, you can't request a specific manufacturer... You just get what you get and it might be the same, better, or worse. Your other choice is to research the best panel that is compatible with your system and source and install it yourself. (Swapping out the display panel is actually pretty easy and can be done in a few minutes, you just have to pry off the bezel and remove a few screws... Finding a good place to buy one with a no-dead-pixel guarantee might be a bit trickier.)

Honestly, the panels that come in these systems are usually quite good so there shouldn't be much to worry about, but we have stories of duds from time to time.

 

Although I've torn down and rebuilt laptops in the past I think that would be more than I want to commit to. So if I'm not happy I'll work it out with Dell. I've placed the order. I'm assuming that since the website specifies 72% gamut whatever panels they use must be similar