Precision 7530 & Precision 7730 owner's thread

Hello, i just took the plunge and bought an M7730 (via Dell Outlet). I'm putting it thru its paces right now but I have some questions...apologies in advance, I searched this thread for answers but did not find what I was looking for, and I didn't have the time to go thru all 183 pages...sorry.
First, to access the primary memory and SSD slots, the instructions say to "remove the battery" which means disconnecting the ribbon cable. I can understand the need to remove the screws securing the battery to the computer in order to permit removal of the bottom cover, but does the battery ribbon cable need to be disconnected?
Second, to access the secondary memory, the keyboard needs to be removed. Is there enough "slack" in the keyboard cables that I do not need to disconnect these in order to install secondary memory modules?
As you may have noticed, I really like to avoid fooling around with ribbon cables!
Once I get more time with this thing, I intend to write up a comparison review of the M7730 with my M6800.

 

Not to worry; much of these pages are noise and discussions about sporadic problems occurring in our machines. @Aaron44126 has done a neat summary of most of the useful bits in the thread, in the first post.

As for the battery cable, it comes with a pull-tab, like so:
Only thing to do is make sure that your system is powered OFF and is unplugged. These cables carry a lot of current, and even though the voltage may not kill you, it might cause arcing and dielectric breakdown and discharge, which could burn a small but important component.

It is relatively straightforward, really; just pull, and it comes right off. Then you can unscrew the battery. You're asking if the battery needs to be disconnected to access the secondary RAM slots and the I am rather lazy, so I don't do so. Nothing has happened to my machine thus far, but apparently I've been playing with fire.

There is insufficient slack for the keyboard to be 'hinged off' with the ribbon cables attached; however, there is sufficient slack such that you can unlatch the cables from their receptacles, but leave them there otherwise, and then pull back the (lattice-removed and unscrewed, of course) keyboard from the front edge of the machine, and simply tilt it back, and then work on the primary RAM beneath the keyboard. There are videos on YouTube detailing this very procedure; this one, for instance:

 

I've been in my system to install drives and RAM and I never disconnected or removed the battery. (I guess there is a small risk with this because the system has live power attached if you do not do so.)

You don't need to disconnect the keyboard ribbon cable. There is enough slack to move it out of the way in order to access the RAM slots.

 

Ah, that video posted above (thanks) seems to show a 7730 with a undamaged SSD ?-grounding strap-?. So that sent me on a Google image hunt. Looks like the design is to have the metal piece slide under the edge of the SSD before adding the screw. That would certainly explain why mine was torn to shreds. It was on top of the SSD board so when they tightened the screw, it just twisted apart.

 

Did that once, but its very tight. One ribbon got pulled out when I removed and placed back the keyboard. No problem to put it back in, but I will remove the ribbons next time to avoid pulling them out of their lock - maybe the documented steps are there for a reason

 

Seems like you have a good relation with Dell. My region's support is pretty much ghosting me... despite that I have paid for 'ProSupport'.

My TB18DC is being quirky. Every morning, I have to replug the cable between 2 and 10 times before USB devices start working. It started doing that 2 weeks ago out of the blue, before the most recent updates. The updates didn't fix it.

 

Thanks, folks, really appreciate the input – especially Aaron and Radiation. I really like this computer but I'm thinking about upgrades... It came with 16GB RAM, I did some work with it and it didn't seem to be using even all that, so I'm not sure adding more RAM is a priority. The computer also has two sticks of 1 TB memory each, or so the spec sheet said...but I'd like to add more at some point. Oddly, the two sticks are combined so that the C:/ drive spans both sticks, in other words, C:/ is 1.81 TB. I’d like to add another 1TB and 16GB RAM but the more I consider it, I’m in no hurry. I think I’d like to get the thing fully worked up (software loaded, etc) and use it for awhile before doing the upgrades.

Initial impressions are that the screen is gorgeous, an improvement over my M6800s Chi Mei. The chiclet keyboard is fine, not better or worse, just different. I think I like the placement of the touchpad and buttons on my M6800 a bit better but the M7730 is just fine (wish they could've backlit the touchpad but oh well). The lightness of the M7730 is really striking, and the build quality still seems excellent. It’ll take me awhile to get it up to speed but I really want to make it my “daily driver.” I almost feel sorry for the M6800 (and its little brother, my M4800) but they will enjoy a nice “retirement” and will not just sit in the closet.

Well, I just pulled off the M7730 bottom cover and got a pleasant surprise...I don't need to remove the keyboard because the open RAM slots are on the bottom. I got the RAM PN via HWINFO and found the exact part on Amazon...so I ordered a couple 8 GB sticks. That'll give me 32 GB RAM. Now I'll look around for another M.2 stick. Upgrade-itis...!

 

Hi all!!

Very close to pulling the trigger on a dell outlet laptop. 8850h, 32gb ram, 512gb SSD, Intel GFX but not too fussed about that....only £1300! 3 year warranty as well....downsides.....freakin 1600x900 display and the smaller 64whr battery!!!!

Now, does anyone have any part numbers for the 1080p display screen and the 97whr 6 cell battery? Be keen to buy this machine if I can get the parts required to swap out!

 

You can buy the battery from Dell. http://accessories.dell.com/sna/pro...=en&s=bsdr&cs=04S1&sku=451-BCGI&mfgpid=255057 (Part number listed there)
Note that the larger battery prevents installation of a 2.5" SATA drive.

For the screen, you can probably use any eDP 1080p display of the appropriate size (depending on whether you are looking at 7530 or 7730). Pretty sure that going to 4K also means swapping out the display cable.

 

@Boj27 Take a look at this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Pre...B-512-SSD-15-6-FHD-WWAN-Intel-HD/292868053884
I bought one myself and received it yesterday. It comes with a bigger battery, FullHD 72% gamut screen and 3Y NBD (actually you get like 2 months less as warranty period is already running). This is not an official Dell store, but I found a very good opinions about those guys online. Everything went fine and I love this machine.