Review Dell Precision M3800 Workstation

[Redaktion]

Workstation to go. Dell's Precision M3800 is an ultrabook-shaped mobile workstation, combining powerful components with a slim chassis. Our in-depth review will show whether this device is capable of delivering in all crucial fields, and not just in terms of looks.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Precision-M3800-Workstation.110075.0.html

[Doug]

The owner's blogs for this model and the almost identical XPS 15 document a range of problems, not only the "whining" noise that seems to plague only some machines and not others. This review suggests that none of these problems was detected on the review machine. Did the reviewer consult the blogs to check the full range of reports? A machine this expensive should be well-implemented from the start of its product life, and the blogs suggest that Dell might not have accomplished that.

[nuno]

will this be a decent laptop for music production?

[Stitchz]

Dell, do a non-touch 17.3 inch mate full HD screen version with a GT750, gigabit ethernet, more ports and numerical keypad. Keep the build quality, low weight, low thickness and low noise. NO GIMMICKS. If possible add an msata drive bay. Price it around 1200€. Profit.

[gc]

Nice positive review.  Who makes the LCD panel?  Article says "QHD+ panel made by LG, touch included" but the specifications column says "Sharp SHP13F8, LQ156Z1".

[Stefan]

No trackpoint and glossy display on a workstation machine.
What is wrong with you, Dell? Why do you intentionally cripple your product? Do you want your target customers to buy it or not?

[Something Always Wrong]

Thumbs up for the tossing out the number pad.
Big thumb down for the glossy display.
Medium thumb down for the lack of physical buttons on the touchpad.
Small thumb down for the small arrow keys.
It seems nobody can make the fundamentals right (keyboard and screen).
And if only somebody could make a 16:10 screen again. Just ask Apple who their manufacturer is (hint: Samsung)

[Tonia]

This is an amazing product of Dell, this report is awesome because it tells complete statistics http://www.everythingavailablehere.com/category/laptops/dell/

[II]

I've been trying to find out if the m3800 has wireless display - I saw no mention of it in the review.  Anyone know whether that is the case?

[Cesar]

I bought this M3800 for working with Autodesk Revit and the computer just freezes every time I open the application. I configured the video card so the Nvidia Quadro K1100M be use with Revit and nothing, any ideas what could be happening??

[Krl]

I have one for a few months now, the trackpad has it problems. Getting dirty fast and sometimes the "mouse buttons" don't react or lock. Screen is a big downside: to glossy for work related color grading. Battery gets empty while closed sometimes...

Thinking back I would go back to the macbook pro, quadro or not. (Partly also because of WIN8)

[John]

I've been using the M3800 for work for three months now. And it's very impressive as a development workstation. Only a few issues that have annoyed me about it.

First, the touch pad is very sensitive and while I am typing on the keyboard it's easy to have the touchpad register something and screw up my document. I've been able to configure the touchpad to turn off if I have an external mouse in use (which I now use more often!).

The second issue is a the design of the power jack. Everything on this laptop screams durability. But the power jack not so much. It's very loose and takes a beating in its current configuration. One of these days I suspect something will get dislodged inside the case.

Lastly, the only thing I've had to get Dell to come back and repair was the Audio Jack. If you used the audio jack to listen to anything the resulting crackling sounds would drive you nuts. A simple swap of the motherboard by Dell and it's now sounds perfect like the rest of the laptop.

It's a nice work of art otherwise. And I wouldn't give it up at any price!

[JonasC]

The main problem is the mouse pointer issue. Pointer (arrow) is allways at correct position, but other pointer icons is after a while on wrong positions. Happens more frequently with trackpad than with external mouse.

The issue seems to be related to the upscaled graphics due too the huge resolution, maybe some relations to the touch screen also.

My guess is because the mouse cursors/icons are on different positions from the active mouse hotspot, as if they are placed related to the distance of hotspot in the mouse icon.

That sounded wierd, so let me give you an example. If the icon/cursor is drag horizontal then the hotspot might be at position (32, 6) on a 64x12 big icon, then the mouse icon shows onthe left and slightly up. On another icon, lets say 64x64 size, where hotspot is at (32, 32) then the icons is the same amount (as the horizontal drag icon) left of the mouse actual position, lets say 2cm on screen, then it is 2cm up.

The strange thing is that this distance is getting further and further away from the actual mouse position, first a few mm, then there are about 2cm, then I have to reboot to be able to work again.

If this issue is solved then I have no other issues with the m3800. But this issue is irritating enough...

[JonasC]

The main problem is the mouse pointer issue. Pointer (arrow) is allways at correct position, but other pointer icons is after a while on wrong positions. Happens more frequently with trackpad than with external mouse.

The issue seems to be related to the upscaled graphics due too the huge resolution, maybe some relations to the touch screen also.

My guess is because the mouse cursors/icons are on different positions from the active mouse hotspot, as if they are placed related to the distance of hotspot in the mouse icon.

That sounded wierd, so let me give you an example. If the icon/cursor is drag horizontal then the hotspot might be at position (32, 6) on a 64x12 big icon, then the mouse icon shows onthe left and slightly up. On another icon, lets say 64x64 size, where hotspot is at (32, 32) then the icons is the same amount (as the horizontal drag icon) left of the mouse actual position, lets say 2cm on screen, then it is 2cm up.

The strange thing is that this distance is getting further and further away from the actual mouse position, first a few mm, then there are about 2cm, then I have to reboot to be able to work again.

If this issue is solved then I have no other issues with the m3800. But this issue is irritating enough...

Guess there is something about drivers...

[Serhan Altug]

Even in bright or dark display settings if i view with a 10 degree angle the colors begins to change and the White colors comes yellowish.

This is a Premium panel and it is designed also for graphic designers. I am a photographer and it was a fault to buy this machine. It is not a MBP Retina competitor. Not even close..

It is too glossy too.

It is only for Cad/Cam users who need a fast and stable notebook. Mine has a Coil whine issue and Dell changed my MB for 4 times. Now it is Ok but they lost one of the bottom side screws. It is a 2 months old notebook but i feel it like 2 year.