Should buy this m4600 or wait, I found a refurb unit I like..

I've been considering the m4600 with IPS for a while now, and now that the Ivy Bridge release is close I'm not sure if I should wait, there also could be a new model but I'm not sure when that could be expected.

Anyway, I found a sealed refurbished unit with great specs and a good price, about $2500 shipped from a third party.

It has a warranty until Jan of 2015, and I think I can buy extended warranty through Dell? I'm still researching that.

What do you think of this refurbished unit for $2500 shipped :

CPU: i7-2920XM Extreme Quad Core Processor 2.5GHz (3.5GHz Turbo Mode) <--NOTE this isn't the 2960XM currently available new. Benchmarks seem to put it near the 2760QM but I'm not sure. I don't know enough about computers. This CPU was over $1k new, and the 2760 is only ~$300 and manufactured the same year. does it have to do with overclocking or something?
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional x64
Memory: 16 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz (4X4GB)
Display: 15.6" UltraSharp™ FHD (1920x1080) PremierColor IPS RGB Anti-Glare LED-backlit Premium Panel
Hard Drive: 128GB Solid State Minicard Drive, Primary Drive
Hard Drive 2: 256GB SATA3 Mobility Solid State Drive, 2.5MM
Optical Drive: 2x Blu-ray Burner Drive
Graphics card: NVidia Quadro 2000M with 2GB GDDR3
Connectivity: Intel 6300 Wireless-N (2x2) Half Mini-Card, Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth 3.0 & 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet network interface adaptor
Battery: 9-Cell 97WHr
Power Adapter: A/C Adapter, 3P & 125V Power Cord
Additional Features: Keyboard, Integrated webcam with dual digital microphone & Intel vPro

I was going to buy direct from a dell salesperson over the phone and haggle to a nice compromise between $2k-$2.5k, but this computer is close to being spec'd out to the max from the factory, and the new cost is likely over $4k: if you get the newer 2960xm it is for sure (mine would have the 2920xm) so I feel like I should go for it.

What do you think, go for this refurb now or wait for the Ivy Bridge line and a possible new precision model? Perhaps wait for a refurb through dell outlet? I'm not sure how much that would be.
A new model with a cheaper (2760QM or 2640QM) processor might perform just as well for not much more either, but I don't know.

I'm not sure what to do
Refurb has this one:
2920XM: PassMark - Intel Core i7-2920XM @ 2.50GHz - Price performance comparison

Benchmarks put this one close, but I feel I'm missing something in the cost/performance difference. am I?:
2760QM: PassMark - Intel Core i7-2760QM @ 2.40GHz - Price performance comparison

I almost posted in the "what laptop" category, but considering I'm a photographer wanting good gamut coverage, portability, enough power to process huge images and play games now and then (which are getting gfx heavy), this seemed like the best option short of a desktop. I also want durability and no warranty hassles (good service), and this fits that bill.

Every other laptop has a glossy screen and I think the m4600's matte IPS should even prove nicely usable outside (lost the sample pics for that).

 

if you are willing to wait, it is never a bad thing. others would tell u ivey bridge doesnt offer all that much improvement, but sometimes knowing that you are onwning the latest is a great feeling.

 

Ivy Bridge wont be the big thing. It just brings a lot of improvement to the integrated Graphics (not relevant to you as you will have IPS) and tweaks the power consumption a bit. It does not justify the wait if you see a cheap refurbed Precision.

Regarding the configuration: The Quadro 2000M is not necessary for your needs really in my opinion. The Quadros are more CAD-oriented and the Firepros actually shall perform better in Games. The man advantage of Quadros unfolds to the non-CAD mobility user when you do not have an IPS as the Quadros switch themselves off if not used giving you prolonged battery life. But as you have an IPS you have to use the high-spec graphics anyway. So choosing the ATI gives you a potential saving of a few bucks when talking to your Dell salesperson.
Regarding the Processor there will be the option for you to get the i7 2860QM which actually outperforms the old 2920XM. It will be sufficient as well. Xtreme Processors are not worth the price.
I would upgrade the Ram by myself as it is very expensive if you buy it off Dell. Just go for the lowest spec Ram and upgrade it yourself.
Regarding the hard drive you got to choose for yourself...depends on your taste...i personally would choose the 128 GB mini SSD (for Programs and OS) and a 500GB 7200 RPM HDD (for your Data, as you will most probably have a lot of them if you are a photographer). Saves you hassle not having to carry an external hard drive with you all the time...

Greetz

 

Thanks, I am willing to wait simply because this month will be really busy and I haven't the time to keep up with photography anyway. I would like the latest greatest if I find it for a good price, and it is nice for that short time when it's true. Tech goes so fast though, it's not cost effective to strive for the current "best".

Ah, good to know about ivy bridge, thank you. I was hoping the processor draw would be less and thus save maybe 30 minutes of battery time or something substantial (I have no real idea how much power it would save).

Thanks, I guess the quadro 2000m probably isn't needed for me if I buy a custom configured rig, looking at tests it seems a bit of a toss up as to which will perform better in games. The 2000m seems to have an edge on some games, but I guess the $325 price isn't justified given the only slight advantage...I hadn't thought about it the way you say it. I wish it had a better gaming card but I'm not sure what other options other laptops have.

Do you think upgrading to a better (but not best) i7-2860Q is worth it?

2640M (base i7)
2760QM (+$140)
2860Q (+$340)
2960XM (+$1,040!<--nuts)​

It is quite expensive to upgrade ram, and now I see an option for only 2gb installed, that I hadn't seen before.

(the damn options are ALWAYS changing, why is that Dell has these "starting points" that lead to different prices for the same "customized" configurations!? convenience for the sales department? They are always a pain, and incentive to call in.)
​

Perhaps I could get only 2gb and then put in an order for 16gb to newegg.

Any reason not to get the 750gb? do you think I could have the phone-ordered unit only sent with the 128gb SSD and buy/install a 500/750gb 7200rpm HDD myself?

With 2gb ram, firepro, 2860Q, ssd, IPS, 750gb hdd and other misc, it's about $2794, which isn't bad considering I was looking at a refurb for 200 less.

 

i would personally go no further than 2760. But that's only because I am slightly more budget aware.

I don't do enough multi-threading tasks, and so my cpu of choice was an i5. Would have been i7 dual if I am to pick again, which is plenty powerful for todays games and M5950 would actually be the battle kneck on gaming anyway lol

getting 2gb is exactly what I ended up doing. Way too expansive from Dell.

HDD, u'll have to check the price on places like newegg/amazon etc and make an judgement based on that. I stick with the most basic HDD option and will be upgrading them myself as I go along.

In the end make sure you haggle with the phone sales rep, because keep in mind that refurb's got 15% off if you call them for one. Meaning it would be actually be more than 200 bucks of difference.

You should have pretty decent room for haggling with the config of yours. I could hardly haggle for my case coz my brand new configuration was only going at 1100ish.

 

The power savings on the Ivy Bridge wont be the big thing for you as the real impact on the battery life will not occur. You wouldrealize the power savings though if you did use the CPU 100% but then your battery would be dead in 2 Hours anyway...maybe giving you ten minutes more than the Sandy Bridge Processors. As my processor mostly is in Idle it uses a minimal amount of power...i would gess around 5 - 7 Watts. If Ivy Bridge in Idle would use only use 4 to 6 Watts it would be a 1 Watt difference which you wont really realize.

Yes...and the options always change depending on which base config you choose. You got to speak to your Dell salesperson anyway though as they can choose the amount of discount (You can see that different base models have different discounts...so choosing a higher spec base vs. upgrading a lower spec base is eventually cheaper, which should not make sense - so call your dell salesperson and haggle a bit with the Dell salesperson. Do not be too quickly satisfied though...the amount of discount you can get is enormous sometimes. So calling in is the best thing you can actually do. You will be guaranteed to beat the online sales price.)

The reason not to get the 750 GB for me was that at the time I ordered the 750 was a 5200rpm, hence slow in reaction. You can go for the 750 if you want now, but if you go for the low spec you may think about getting the Seagate Momentus XT 750 GB with Sata III (ST750LX003). You may not even need the second mini-SSD then.

Regarding the Graphics: The ATI will be better for gaming as it has GDDR 5 Memory which is faster than the GDDR 3 in the Quadros. As Games do not need as much memory as CAD but faster memory Games should be better on the ATI. The other advantage fo gaming is that ATI is lazy on their Firepros. They don't change too much on the professional Cards. They are sometimes event the same Consumer Grohics topped up only with different drivers. Nvidia changes Quite a lot though to optimize them for professional use...

You will not be able to get the mini-SSD only...as far as i know...but call them.

Top the Ram up...go for the 2 GB an then order other Ram...

Hope it helps...

 

Thats an easy flow chart:

Do you need a laptop now? Yes, buy the laptop. No, then wait.

The m4600 will be a potent laptop for years to come, but if you dont need one immediately like I did ivy will be a very slight upgrade. Just be prepared for full price, less selection and slightly longer ship times upon release.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

 

I having the same dilemma, as Figit090 had first posted.

I had read from many that there is no much changes in Ivy Bridge. However, I am hoping for a 15" Touchscreen Display, yet with high resolution. This option however only available to 17" at this moment.