Precision 7530 & Precision 7730 owner's thread

Yep, it is over for me.

I'm not really regretting this laptop... There are just a few things I wish Dell had included—an 8-bit G-Sync-capable panel (instead of a 6-bit-with-dithering, non-G-Sync panel), a higher core and memory clock (and hence a higher power limit) on the GPU, and maybe easier access to the internals. But yes, QC and testing could've been better.

 

Usually, people write more about their negative experiences than they do about their positive experiences in these forums. So, the overall impression you get when reading these posts tends to be negative.

I agree.

In my opinion, the Precision M6700 is one of the best laptops Dell ever built. I believe it could be configured with a 10-bit FHD panel back then. It all went downhill from there, with sub par panels, illogical keyboard layouts, the loss of the E-Port docking connector and so on.

Sometimes, you just can't wait for the perfect laptop and have to make compromises. For example, when your current laptop dies and you simply have to replace it.

 

I've had very little issues with my 7730 and am very happy with it. I think general consensus in this thread is that if you get a badly built model, you should complain about it to Dell.

Something that does really, really, really, piss me off is the TB18 fiasco. 2 months in and I still don't have a functional docking solution. Dell Support has been ghosting me.

 

New Bios 1.4.2 and new Thunderbolt-Firmware. Installed without issues.

I currently stick with C-states disabled as the touchpad tends to get sluggish on battery with C-states enabled. So I cannot test if the USB stuttering with TB18DC got better.

 

Wait what?! Which display is 6-bit with color dithering? I hope it isn’t the UHD panel?!


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No, no... The FHD panel that they call 'PremierColour with 72% gamut'.. "

 

Whew okay... man I woke up to read that and I was almost given a heart attack. One of the things I didn’t like about my NP9873....


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New BIOS today (as @SvenC) mentioned.

http://www.dell.com/support/home/dr...tCode=precision-15-7530-laptop&driverId=1R0VW
Enhancements:
- Updated Embedded Controller Engine Firmware.
- Set "Discrete Graphics Controller Direct Output Mode" to "Enable" by default to enhance HDMI display resolution.

Also, there's a new Thunderbolt firmware update.

http://www.dell.com/support/home/dr...tCode=precision-15-7530-laptop&driverId=NG0GY
Enhancements:
- Improves external monitor connection compatibility

Neither mentions anything about either dock issue. I'm not going to even bother turning C-states back off to test.

@kittenlips
No issues with the 7530 here. I'm quite pleased with it. My issues are all with the dock. (Dell has confirmed that they're working on fixes, but fixes aren't arriving quickly...)

 

My new 7530 arrives tomorrow. I am going to get everything installed that I use and test it thoroughly in all my typical situations before the 30-day satisfaction guarantee is over. I'm also going to directly compare it to my existing HP ZBook 15 G4 which, other than the few issues I've had which they've fixed or are going to fix, actually runs quite well.

I got the TB18DC dock a week or so ago and returned it given the problems people experienced here plus the fact that I think it's totally clunky and huge. It's dimensions make it hard to put where I want it on my desk where I can reach it and it isn't in the way. I think it's poorly designed for a $349 dock. I prefer the style of the HP TB3 dock which divides the power adapter and the dock so that the dock is small and very easy to place right on most setups. The power adapter is the same as what you get with the laptop so easy to hide.

 

To give reference of what a processor with extended idle states and power management properly working should give you, on my HP ZBook G4, with i7-7820HQ and -120mV undervolt, the cores draw < 0.1W and package < 1W when idle.