Precision M4400 Owner's Lounge

I've already run 5 OS's simultaneously when I had my M4400 (QX9300 / 8GB) and it handled decently well: XP, Ubuntu, Fedora, OSX (2 CPU cores used for OSX) on a Win7 host. Total RAM use was about 5GB, but a lot of that was within Win7 programs, and CPU had a lot to give unless OSX was running, so I don't think 8 Unix based OS's would be too taxing on the system to run. It would for sure be running hard though...

 

Sorry for diverging a little, but how was Ubuntu on a virtual machine? I plan to use it with VMware Workstation instead of dual booting.

 

Just to update everyone on my earlier post. My M4400 shipped today. It should arrive on Wed. 10/7. So it looks like they got the RGB LED displays back in stock.

The RGB LED displays still aren't showing up as on option on the the M4400 configuration page. So supplies must still be limited. I'm just happy mine is finally coming.

My setup: M4400, QX9300 CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD Hard Drive, WUXGA RGB LED, Vista Ultimate 64 bit, Quadro FX 770M, 2.0MP Webcam, Backlit Keyboard, Bluetooth, Intel 5150 WiMax, UPEK Fingerprint Reader, 9 cell battery, EPort Plus Dock.

Anyone know why the M4400 uses DDR2 RAM, while the M6400 uses DDR3? Weren't they released around the same time?

 

I have been running ubuntu in VMWare workstation for quite a while. Installs and performs well.

I will be using Ubuntu as the host OS and running VMWare on top of it. I started doing that because vista was a real dog for that previously. I could run more VMs with a linux host. Will test W7 when the laptop arrives and see how that goes.

I'm also at "Build Completed" now. Hopefully not much longer.

Ben

 

Yes I too can confirm that the 4400 with the led screens are now shipping. Mine has arrived at Dell Australia and I had the call this morning to confirm delivery this Thursday the 8th of October, exactly a month from ordering.
I have ordered the rgb-led screen with the camera, an option that wasn't available earlier I believe. And in an effort to do my bit for global warming, I have selected the "super warm" 1700 gpu

 

8th eh? Lucky bugger. I have not had a whisper on mine :-(

 

waldomark, well the order status page is still showing delivery on the 15th, but they called this morning? so their web site needs updating methinks!
good luck on a speedy delivery.

 

Just checked the website again. Status is now "Arrive in Australia" may be happy days shortly

 

I had absolutely no stutter switching between Win7 host, XP, and Ubuntu. I set XP to 2GB RAM and Ubuntu to 1GB I believe. Both were set to run on only one core. I wasn't doing anything super intense, just running a web server, but the Ubuntu machine's only slow point was hard drive access. VMWare will allow you to dedicate multiple cores to VM's, so if you need more performance you can give them more cores.

 

Agreed on Disk I/O being the bottleneck. That was the same on my last machine too. The only way to get around that is to add more spindles. I am really interested to see how the eSata port performs on this. I have a 1TB Western Digital eSata drive ready to go.

Been running W7 Enterprise on my netbook. Really impressed with it so far. Feels snappy even on the stunted hardware. Got W7 and Ubuntu install USB sticks all ready to go. Just need the laptop.

Edit: Now shows "With Local Carrier". Getting exciting now...

Edit: Just got the phone call. Delivered tomorrow afternoon. Very cool.