Precision M4500 Owner's Lounge

Finally got my M4500 today. After installing my work programs Zbrush & Maya, I installed the new Splinter Cell Conviction game ; it runs & looks very nice at 1280 x 720.

I'll be back with more findings and fraps numbers.

 

Same here, more than $1100 difference between the Canadian and US site for the M4500 I want. There is no way I will buy a Dell if that stands given that the exchange rate is at parity looks to stay there for the forseeable future. I got a quote on a Lenovo W510 for comparison and, while still more expensive in Canada vs. US, it was a more tolerable difference of < $400. If Dell wants my business they better fix their Canadian prices fast, I intend to buy a new system in the next couple of weeks and the Lenovo is looking pretty good right now.

 

There have to be at least one mini pci express slot under the palm rest, because you cant find the bluetooth mini pci express card from upside down though it is available.

Hopefully Dell will release the service manual soon.

regards,
Dirk

 

FYI, my M4500 just went into production after 9 days. I spoke and chatted with a Dell CSR - even though the literature clearly indicates RGB (features section, the tech specs on the US site are non specific) - both sales people were very confused.

Without sharing the whole sordid chat, this was the gist:
dell> Welcome to Dell’s Small Business Sales Chat!
me> is the 1920 x 1080 panel offered an RGB backlit as the sales literature claims?
dell> no it is not offered at this time
me> which ones are RGB?
dell> the top one
dell> I am sorry it is not offered on that system
ME> Now even more confused. Can you direct me to a product specialist who knows this system? You have contradicted yourself twice now.
[which didnt happen so I called and that was even less productive]
me (pasting the sales literature) > Daylight productivity The M4500 is the only 15.6 mobile workstation with a sequential RGB display that provides daylight viewability
dell> can you send me the link that you see this
dell> Ok i am talking to our Tech guys
dell> ok it is an option but it an option at this point
dell> we do not have that screen available
me> When will this be available?
dell> I do not have a date when it will be


since my original sales chat request, the dell rep clearly indicated the 1920 x 1080 screen is RGBLED, and I called to complain... I was told that I have 21 days to return the system (after waiting for 2+ weeks) if I am dis-satisfied.
Maybe instead I will call tech support to claim my color gamut is broken, please send a replacement....

 

It's rare to find someone at Dell who is precise and/or accurate.

I am pretty sure mine is NOT RGB even though I ordered the 1920x1080.

 

As has been explained a couple of times now, it's not. I just received mine with the 1920x1080 screen, and the shipping label that came with it clearly spells it out as a "white light emitting diode display".

 

My Colleague has a M4400 with 6gb ram.

Ordered last friday, dell.ca reports it shipped today, arriving Monday.

Quad Core i7 1.6 (will be first quad i7 in my office, we do have dual core xeons though)
8GB Ram (should be a good place to start
Quadro 880 (just less onchip processors than 1800, but uses less power too)
HD+ Screen (didnt see the need for full HD)
E-Port Replicator
Win7 Pro 64
Office Suite

Total $3002 CAD

How many displays can this drive? 2 via DVI on the port replicator? Can it drive the HD+ display and HDMI simultaneously as well?

 

Fair enough but was I supposed to get an RGBLED?

 

Yes, on the dock two via DVI or Displayport. Yes, it can drive HDMI (via a Displayport adapter) and the built in at the same time. You can not drive more than 2 displays at any one time though.

 

May have been explained, but the literature clearly indicates RGBLED in several places. When I ordered, I asked about it and was told (I still have the chat session) that it is RGB, and further the order screen does not indicate WLED. I am sure you are correct, but that does not change the bait and switch.