Dell Precision M4300 / Performance & audo experiences

Hi

I'm in the nice position, that I can choose my new dell notebook for work myself. I'm a multimedia designer, using the common tool like photoshop, illustrator, flash, premiere or aftereffects. I don't want a super heavy 17" notebook, that's why the M4300 is on my final list.

Now 2 questions that are important for me (job/personally) - maybe someone can help me:

a) how is the performance of the m4300 when working on large photoshop files?

b) how is the audio quality (speaker / headphone / soundcard)

Thank you!
Cheers from Switzerland

 

I just found 2 threads about the sound in the dell help forums. It seams that the soundcard and soundquality of the Precision M4300 is pretty bad.

 

I can tell you about M6300

1. Although performance is fantastic, I am returning it due to a bad quality of screens on 1440x900.
2. In M6300 audio is really nice. Especially on the jack.

I use it for Photoshop etc.

 

I have a new 4300 and my screen quality is excellent and I use photoshop. The performance is also great. I haven't really tested the sound quality yet as I have only had it almost a week and am still getting set up but I am quite satisfied with my purchase.

 

I have a precision M4300. I have the WUXGA res - matte - its awesome.

This thing is a beast - hauls serious ass and has plenty of space - although I am not running CAD or anything retarded. I am a network engineer and most of my apps are thin.

The audio is the drawback to this system. But dude - its a ****ing laptop. What do you want? Dolby 5.1?

The audio is fine for it being a portable. Also - find a decent A2DP stack and do stereo BT, or use the jack....

This system is a beast. I am gonna rebuild and dual boot vista with gentoo on it....

by the way - anyone have experience/problems in here getting Linux to recognize some of this hardware?

 

I am still trying to choose between the Latitude D830 and the Precision M4300.
Maybe someone would like to help me in deciding?
Look here: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=tt_buy&thread.id=4412
Thanks!

 

The D830 and the M4300 are identical except for the video card, and the option of a Truelife WSXGA+ streen.

If you can save a few bucks...no reason to go with the M4300 unless you want the better video card. But even then, I hear the differences between the N140M and the FX360M are minute.

 

I agree, for this reason I am asking: I never used a cad nor really know what it is or for what is it for. Nor did 3d, or video/audio editing.
So, I need the opinion of people who know the them, because I have no idea of what i can do and what i cannot do with a Quadro 135M or 140M or FX360M. Nor I can calculate if for example the 135M is enough to guarantee me a slow "getting old" of the machine and the freedom to do some video edit or simple graphic in 2 years (when standards will be higher, but anyway I could use older programs to fix this).
Also, I understand that the difference between 140M and 360M are minutes (just open gl capabilities, which I have no idea what is it for), but what about the 135M?
And, for example, I am not able to calculate if it is a more equilibrate choice for me a 360M or a 140M with the T7500 processor, or a 135M with the T7700. Which one guarantee me more what I need (a notebook I can use for simple things, which I need to last for 4 years without being prehistoric after 1 or 2, and giving me the possibility to do some video edit if I will need it)?

 

Agreed, don't get the M4300 over a D830 unless someone else is paying for it (like your company). I have an M4300 from my company, had a D820 before. It is hardly any different.

 

Well, I have bought the D830... I must tell you that I STRONGLY regret this choice. The WSXGA+ on the D830 is the terrible SEC3350. It is really terrible. DO NOT BUY, EVER, a D830 with WSXGA+. NEVER. Unless you can prove that Dell has changed the model of display. For now, the only one is the SEC3350.
And, believe me, it is really the worst display I have ever seen on my live.
I like matte, so I would not like the M4300 with WSXGA+, but if the WUXGA on the M4300 is good, I realy wish I would have bought that...