Next Generation Dell Precision Mobile Workstations press release

Yes, I hear you. However, these machines do have sort of a dock connector, since there will be a new Thunderbolt-based dock. That should remove the bandwidth concerns with those USB-3-based fake docks they are offering now. If the new docks have an on/off button like the traditional Dell docks, then those would come pretty darn close in functionality to those, except for having to connect power to the laptop separately. I thought long and hard about this one, and depending on the ultimate design and specs of those new docks, a combination of the 5510 with one of these may make for an acceptable compromise. The light weight and smaller footprint of the 5510 is certainly attractive, and if I'm perfectly honest, I really don't need the raw graphics power offered in the 7510/7710 anymore. CPU and storage-wise, the 5510 will do just fine in any case.

So, does anyone know more about those new docks?

 

The Thunderbolt-based docks won't be released until 2016.

 

That's fine, I can wait. Given that I really dislike some of the design choices in the 7710 series, that's what I will do.

 

Also, I can't say for sure but I'd think that the Thunderbolt-based dock should work with any machine that has Thunderbolt? Using Dell's dock with a Lenovo workstation, or other such criss-cross situations might be possible.

 

Uhm, an info from Dell UK:

"The launch has been delayed again, now I have a new launch date 5th, November 2015."

Personally, I don't believe in any dates anymore.

 

I don't either - my corporate rep here in US says mid to late November. I suspect it is the demand for the 4K 17.3" screens that is holding things up - a Miami based computer company (Origin PC) said they can't get the screens in until late November.

 

The new Thunderbolt 3 dock for the 5510 will provide not only docking capability but also 130W of power from the dock to the system through the single Thunderbolt cable.

What others questions are there on the new systems?

 

We are interested to hear if the 7710 has one or two 2.5" SATA drive bays.

 

What model will the SSD be in the 5510?

 

What kind of speakers are there on the 7710 and where are they placed?
Are the M.2 ports on the 7710 going to support 2280 form factor?
Will there be a touchscreen option for the FHD panel?
Is the battery user-replaceable?
Is there a chance that Dell will release an alternative keyboard in the future, allowing the current one to be replaced?