Precision 7530 & Precision 7730 owner's thread

I use this https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07BBZBKKF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I've noticed that I'm unable to control my brightness when I disable switchable graphics... anyone else?

I also can't install the intel graphics drivers (with switchable enabled) from the 7530 drivers section - says my system isn't compatible.

Edit: Solved by toggling to 48 Hz and back to 60Hz in advanced display settings. How frustratingly random. Doesn't seem to stick on reboot though, so I have to do it each time.

 

I have earlier gen 7710 which I think is even larger than your 7730. I use this Eve Case 17.3 diamond neoprene
https://evecase.com/collections/eve...t-neoprene-sleeve-zipper-case-diamond-patterm

very great quality. has a microfiber soft interior lining

 

Well I have two quotes from Dell ready to be acted upon, just have to choose one:

Precision 7720: $4,151.74 (all up including tax)
Intel Core i7-7920HQ (Quad Core 3.10GHz, 4.10GHz Turbo,8MB 45W)
32GB (4x8GB) 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC SDRAM
Nvidia Quadro P3000 w/6GB GDDR5
512GB M.2 PCIe Solid State Drive Class 40]
Additional M.2 PCIe 1TB SSD Class 50
Intel WiFi Link 8265 2x2 802.11ac + BT 4.2
17.3" FHD (1920x1080) Anti-Glare LED-backlit w/Cam w/Mic
6-cell (91Wh) Lithium Ion Polymer Battery with ExpressCharge

or

Precision 7730: $4,923.74 (all up including tax)
Intel Core i9-8950HK (Six Core 2.90GHz, 4.80GHz Turbo,12MB 45W)
Nvidia Quadro P3200 w/6GB GDDR5
32GB DDR4 Memory,4X8GB,2666,Non-ECC,SoDIMM
M.2 512GB PCIe NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
M.2 1TB PCIe NVMe Class 50 Solid State Drive
Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 9260 802.11ac MU-MIMO 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.0 vPro
17.3" UltraSharp FHD IPS 1920x1080 AG, w/Prem Panel Guar 72% color gamut LCD
6-cell 97Wh Lithium Ion battery with ExpressCharge
Precision Dual USB-C Thunderbolt Dock - TB18DC, US

So the 7720 allows me to use my existing doc.
I can also swap out batteries quickly w/o having to use a screw driver if needed AND you can get an external battery charger for a second battery if needed
Limited to 64GB of RAM in the future
Potentially lower battery life (17 hrs max according to Dell)
Gotten good reviews for battery life and heat (though this was a stripped down model)
Limited future storage upgrades

The 7730 requires me to get a TB18DC dock
I can't swap out batteries easily due to having to use a screw driver
Can get up to 128GB of RAM in the future
Theoretically high battery life (19hrs max according to Dell)
Gotten poor reviews for battery life and heat (this was the top end model)
More future storage upgrade possibilities

Thoughts on which way to go? Save some $$, but with a system that's already a generation behind, or spend $780 more for the most up to date system there is with the most potential to last longer with future RAM and storage upgrades?

 

@Geminus—you will likely save a large amount of money on either configuration, by purchasing the SSDs aftermarket.

 

The P3200 is vastly more powerful than the P3000. In regards to performance. It's actually close to the P4000 in performance, which I think would end up at the same price as the 7730.

 

Well, this is a work machine that costs me real $$ (time actually IS income for me as a consulting engineer) to open up and replace components or otherwise fiddle with things, so I tend to buy exactly what I need to get me through at least couple of years before I upgrade.

 

Hmm. As a student, I have to save every penny, so I chose to go the aftermarket route.

The Toshiba XG5 1 TB NVMe drive retails for an exorbitant $914.70 at Dell's store.

On Amazon, the WD Black 1 TB, a drive that performs noticeably better, retails for $341.97, which is slightly more than a third as costly (and it was $330 yesterday).

Dell also has a detailed Service Manual that clearly explains how to add/replace/remove SSD drives.

It took me fifteen minutes to install the SSD, format it as GPT with an NTFS partition and start using it.

I suppose you've got to decide if fifteen minutes of your down-time is worth $600...

 

Oh if was only that simple . . .

 

To be more specific than my last reply, as a business who's aim is to not be in the IT business paying extra $$ for a component in a computer system over what I can buy it retail for is common because with Dell if something goes wrong it's covered under warranty and it will be covered by their next business day repair service. Plus as a business that buys a few systems from Dell every year I did not pay the full price as you see on their web site. Too many times I've tried to do what you've described and ended up costing me more in the end because the item was defective right out of the box, had problems during setup, or died during the warranty period any of which easily end up costing me more $$ in the end. It's just not worth it.
As a business owner with multiple employees you have to take the long view when comparing costs.

When I was a student I did just as you described many times because I had time to burn which didn't cost me any real $$, but as a business owner it's just not that simple.