M6600 Owners Thread

I am going to order a M6600 shortly for use in the Penn State Geospatial Intelligence Master's program. I was wondering when/if Dell would update the M6600 with the newly released processors, specifically the 2760QM and the 2860QM, and asked Tech Support last night. Their response is below. If anyone has additional insight, please post.


Me: "I am going to purchase a Precision M6600, but I want to know if the updated processors are going to be added soon like they we added to the XPS and Alienware. The processors I am refering to are the 2760QM and the 2860QM."
Agent (Christopher R): "I'd be more than happy to assist you and thank you for considering Dell as your system provider "
Agent (Christopher R): "Let me check those options for you."
Agent (Christopher R): "Can I place this chat on hold for 2-5 min while I check your request?"
Agent (Christopher R): "I was able to check our current and future offers for processors on this model, unfortunately we do not plans yet to introduce the new processors on this model."
Agent (Christopher R): "But you can check with us lets say within a week to check its availability."

 

I am going to purchase a M6600 for use in the Penn State Geospatial Master's program, and was wondering if anyone had experience with the below listed software and their "real" hardware recommendations (not the basic specs listed on their websites). I was hoping that the 2720QM and m8900 would suffice (for price reasons), but I do have up to 4,000 in Dell approved financing, so if I NEED to go higher I will. I will start the program in January, and don't want to buy another laptop for 2-3 years, so it has to last that long. Please advise!

ArcGIS
MATLAB
R
Merrick MARS
GeoCue LP360
Applied Imagery Quick Terrain Modeler
PCI Geomatica
ENVI from ITTVIX

 

I think you should be fine with just about any m6600 configuration. Make sure you get an adequate amount of RAM (8 GB +), so that your system won't choke if you are running multiple high-demand apps at once. It's cheaper if you buy it aftermarket and install it yourself (16 GB for about $120 --- if you are comfortable with that sort of thing).

Also note that you have to get a quad-core CPU to use all four RAM slots... If you get a dual-core CPU you can only use two of them.

 

https://gis.e-education.psu.edu/gis/techspecs

Someone might want to tell them to update their min configs.

Just make sure you get a Quad Core processor. I would also get the mSata drive since it is a cheap upgrade and is tough to get after the sale. If there is a free upgrade for the Quadro 3000M you can make the decision on Optimus. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

I'm in a tight spot. M6500 has been acting up a lot.. did full format & OS install, didn't help, onsite tech just replaced RAM and both databoards... if this doesn't go away, and they want it sent in to Dell Depot hell etc... would you try to stick it out to get the beloved M6500 Covet working again, or take the M6600 replacement? I have lost 5 days so far and really can't put up with much more..

It's the orange Covet with RGBLED Edge 2 Edge glass screen, i7 X940 CPU, Quadro FX3800M... I love it, normally. Thing is built like a tank. Even the pad jog shuttle is cool.

I really dislike the new aspect ratio/resolution of the M6600, and I love the keyboard on the M6500 which I hear has been rearranged on the M6600... does the IPS screen on the M6600 make up for the resolution & framed bezel?

Why'd they drop the Covet edition? I love it...

 

IMHO, for me, nothing you can get this days compare to the real WUXGA RGBLED with 1900X1200... But, it depends on what are you actually doing with your screen, your eyes, your optical nerves and your all mighty neurons...

 

Ok, this thread is scaring me. Why are there SO many issues with the M6x00 series, and why so many replacements? Also, if mine s the bed after the new model (prob M6700) comes out, I would get a replacement of the new model? Sounds like a free upgrade to me.

 

We will not see a new model perhaps until may~june 2012 if at all... I would better prefer to stick to the M6500...

 

Nobody answered my earlier question: are the Precision getting the 2760QM and 2860QM update anytime soon?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/8059359-post2161.html

 

Man why do I bother with tech support chat.. All they can say is to reinstall windows... again