M4800 Owner's Thread

I'm considering buying m4800 with no backlit keyboard from outlet.

Is it possible to change keyboard for one with backlit?

 

Yes, removing/replacing the keyboard is pretty straightforward. (The same keyboard is used in the M4600/M4700/M6600/M6700/M6800, and in some of the Latitudes as well.)

 

I googled the CMN15B1 and found this post about a m4700 on nbr.com
M4700 Owners Thread
LynchburgCSI
Re: M4700 Owners Thread
Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Yep, same issue as I have.
I may have to look into replacing mine. Although, I'm not going to be happy about spending more to do it.

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

 

Hi everybody,

I have received my M4800 (with a 500GB Hybrid 2.5inch HD) and will receive a Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" SSD tomorrow. I want to use the crucial SSD as a primary HD for Windows and other Software, the 500GB HD for data. My question is:

- I take it there is a slot for the SSD so I just need to open up the notebook and slot it in. Then my plan would be to unplug the 500GB HD, install Windows onto the SSD after making it the primary boot device in BIOS and when seeing that everything is working, re-plug the 500GB HD and format it. Would that work and is that the best way of going about it?

thanks a lot for your help!

J

 

ok, i did some more research and here is how i think it actually works:
- I'll open up my M4800, replace the 500GB HD with my 240GB SSD and install my OS on it. Then, in order to use the 500GB HD as a secondary, I need to get an optical drive caddy, remove the DVD/CD drive and chuck in the 500GB HD via the caddy.

right? thx!

 

Yup. Google newmodeus - I bought a caddy from them and it fits/works great.

Edit: here's a link: http://www.newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3&products_id=543

 

Is it worth installing the Dell Power Manager?

 

Thanks for your response! I have talked with Dell support yesterday and they've helped me to fix yellow color by re-installing the latest video card drivers. We have also updated bios. The issue appeared to be reproducible only when laptop was on battery and everything was ok when laptop was on A/C adaptor. However I still feel eye strain and I've tried to get a photo of two screens with the same density (i.e. both 15 inch, FHD) to compare; zooming photos I can definitely see the screen on M4800 is much more granular. I am going to ask Dell support about the options that I have.

 

I'm going to pull the trigger today and join the ranks of M4800 owners when the laptop arrives. I'll be getting the following config:

Dell Precision M4800
UltraSharp QHD+ Wide View
16GB (2x8GB) 1600MHz DDR3L
NVidia Quadro K2100 w/2GB GDDR5
256GB SATA SSD
Blu-Ray Writer 2x
Windows 7 Ultimate
Add backlit keyboard
Add FIPS Fingerprint Reader
Add D5000 Wireless Port Replicator

Once I receive it, I'm going to add:

16GB Kingston HyperX DDR3L 1600
480GB Crucial mSATA SSD
1TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD

Questions I hope you can help me answer are:
1. Which is the best port replicator for this unit? I am already getting the D5000 but only because its cheaper as a package and I would need it at work. So I am looking for a good desktop replicator to go along with it.
2. Should I use it out of the box or do a complete clean install? I'm just afraid of all the bloatware that might come already installed. If I need to do a clean install, what are the essential Dell software that I should install?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

The Precision images don't include much in the way of bloatware. That said, I've always done a clean install myself. Drivers are available at support.dell.com, just get yourself a clean device manager and maybe add the power manager if you think you might want the extra power settings, and you'll be set.