Precision M4400 Owner's Lounge *Part 2*

Recent versions of Windows will always shut down the computer before the battery is completely empty. A full recalibration required running until the battery is fully discharged (I've seen computers run for 10 minutes with the battery gauge on 0). Leaving the computer running with the BIOS setup open should achieve the full discharge.

John

 

Yeah...and could hurt your battery even more than it already is. Safest way is to set it to the lowest % in your power options and let it drain. This way your not avoiding the safety measures built-in. I have to admit i have no data or sources to back this up except for the two batteries i tried it with the way you say. One went from 20 something to over 35 after "calibration", got that one replaced by Dell. Replacing it was stupid cause the next one broke down entirely after another run and then i found out Dell's battery warranty only covers 1 replacement battery

Keeping it in Windows has given me results so far. Went from 23% to 17% last time i tried. All in all i probably won't even bother anymore as those couple off % don't make that much difference in with my usage.

 

Does anyone know why Dell no longer offers the M4400 (which is still available on the Enterprise site) with the RGBLED display. And there's no RGBLED option available for the M4500 either. Was there a problem with this display? The reason I ask is that I'm considering a refurbished M4400. I do a lot of photo editing and the larger color gamut of the RGBLED would be useful but I'm concerned as to why Dell isn't using this display anymore.

 

No big issues with except for the availability. Especially now that everyhting's switched to 16:9 these screens are a VERY rare find. The screen was considered one of, if not THE best laptop screens out there during it's run.

 

Thanks very much for the reply. That's good to know (No big issues). Your point about the 16:10 vs 16:9 was also useful as I hadn't noticed that the M4500 was 16:9.

 

The RGBLED display has some issues.

1) The lowest brightness setting is still too damn bright. If you intend to use the notebook at night, well, good luck trying to go to sleep or see your way around afterwards.
2) With use outside, sometimes the screen will turn red depending on how sunlight hits a sensor.
3) The screen has color flicker at times, especially at low brightness levels. I can't describe it very well. It's VERY annoying.
4) It could be related to the videocard as well, but in Linux, sometimes the power off mode would set the display to fullbright white. I haven't had this happen yet with 2.6.35 kernel so maybe this has been fixed.
5) It's not as bad as a full gloss screen, but the screen does have reflections, so just a hint of warning.

Working on photos on the go, this display is VERY good at that...but sucks for just about every other usage pattern I use it for.

 

Anyone with the m4400 and the e-port plus replicator try running TWO off the U2711's? I am thinking about getting a couple of them and I'm now wondering if it would be able to work at max res.

 

I think I answered my own question. Using DisplayPort, the E-port Plus will support up to two 30" monitors at 2560x1440.

 

With regards to my question a couple posts above, I'm starting to have some doubts (as the monitors leave the warehouse for me today). I'm seeking some reassurance. I posted the below message in the Nvidia forums, but I am posting here, too, in case someone knows.
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I have a Dell Precision M4400 with an Nvidia Quadro FX 770M.

I recently ordered two Dell U2711 monitors. These are 27" monitors with a native resolution of 2560x1440. My initial, and perhaps less than thorough, research led me to believe I would have no problem powering both screens with my laptop.

I will be using the Dell E-Port Plus port replicator which has two DisplayPort outputs on it. The specs on that replicator state:

"Supports up to two 30” LCD monitors with native resolution of 2560x1600 via display ports".

That is what gave me the confidence that I'd have the ability to power them both at their native resolution. But I've had time to think about it more, and what I don't know is whether my GPU will be able to handle it (or even try).

Their are no specs I could find anywhere that state the answer to such a question and I have done a lot of searching.

I know it will support one - that has been confirmed. But what about a dual monitor setup?

 

I have the E-Port Plus, but I'm afraid I don't have 2 WQHD monitors to test it with, heck I don't even have one.