Next Generation Dell Precision Mobile Workstations press release

I started configuring a 7510 (to actually buy). However - I noticed that there is no thunderbolt connection. Sorry if this has already been stated, but do I have to wait for that option to become available?

 

Look under specs - January 2016 (same for 7710). Deal breaker for me until that is available

 

Thank you. This is a deal breaker for me too. Oh well - I waited this long, I shall remain patient a bit longer...

 

Yep, it is, for quite a few people, including myself.

 

See I confused by something like this does that mean no "thunderbolt 3 Port" (s)? and then why not just make the 7710 available in January 2016? I mean I don't like it at all I want something by Christmas. If its not this then the Lenovo P70 and I am not sure that will be available to order to get by Christmas.

 

I don't know what their (Dell) reasoning is - probably a component parts issue. I'm leaning very strongly toward the P70 - 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and ability to have 2 - 2.5" SSD's + 2 M2 PCIe NVMe drives - a total of 5TB of storage or more as the M2 increase in capacity as well as the SSD's (Samsung releasing a 4 TB SSD early next year)..

As far as release dates look at the comments below this article that was tweeted:
http://www.ausbt.com.au/lenovo-thinkpad-p50-p70-the-world-s-most-powerful-laptops?linkId=18535996
They are talking about a November 16 release in ANZ (Australia-New Zealand).

 

Really excited about the 5510. Even though it's released I've been having a bit of an issue even ordering it

TLDR: Beware ordering one of these; the ordering process isn't consistent/support is limited.

I configed and ordered one a few days ago through Dell's site. I got an e-mail saying that Dell received the order.

I look the next morning and my account shows no new orders. I try to search individually for the order: no record of it.

I call, get routed to three different people (2/3 of them couldn't even see the order) only be to be told that my order is on hold because of a part incompatibility.

He tells me the SKU of the part. It's the SKU of the laptop itself.

Baffling. I ask him if I should cancel and try again: He informs me that this order isn't going anywhere.

I repeat the process of configuring and ordering a machine: same exact situation.

Call up again. Another Dell representative tells me that he isn't really sure what's going on w/ the Precision series, and he thinks that Dell prematurely put it on the site (the machine sometimes isn't available for purchase)

It's a bit unnerving to have two orders in limbo, no way to check on them, no idea what to expect (I.E. am I going to be charged twice once the parts become available? Not really looking forward to getting an overdraft fee reimbursed through dell )

Anyone have a similar experience/can offer some advice?

 

A thought on the keyboard layout:
I believe I use PgUp/PgDn way less often than Home/End. I would probably prefer to have Home/End where PgUp/PgDn is.
(While PgUp/PgDn could possibly be more acceptable as an Fn combo—on Up/Down.)

(Though I would really redesign the whole cursor-key area more radically if given the power.)

Also, I would find it a great improvement if there were a NumLock LED indicator on the key itself, as there is one on the Caps Lock.

 

I took a bit of time to make a rough sketch of how I would design the keyboard layout, within current constrains:

DELL KB Redesign Sketch by M.J.S. posted Nov 7, 2015 at 9:59 PM

Mainly, it places the cursor keys the old-fashioned way (how I liked them on my old laptop), at the expense of the zero key width.
It does away with the right Control (which I seem to never use).
It gains two full-size key positions left of the cursor keys, then. They could be the treasured Home and End.
It nukes the dedicated Insert key (could be a combo on Delete).
It places PgUp and PgDn instead of PrtScr and Insert (PrtScr and SysRq could be combos on these). Still not ideal for these two keys; maybe Fn-combos on cursor keys could still have some merit.

You guys might have different preferences…

BTW, I used an image of a Latitude, but its keyboard layout is identical to the new Precisions.

 

Those of us interested in the 5510 need to be wary of a potential issue with the space bar that has been much discussed in the new XPS 15 threads which has led many to return/exchange. Apparently a ribbon can get bunched up under the space bar limiting its travel. Since the 5510 and XPS share the same chassis it is possible this could carry over.