Dell Precision M3800 Mobile Workstation: Much More Than a Laptop

    Quite often, laptop advertisements say they provide “desktop-level performance.” In the original, this rotation looks more neat - desktop class performance. The marketers who invented it practically do not deceive: after all, desktop computers are very different, and, of course, somewhere there is a slightly dusty case, the filling of which works at about the same speed as in the advertised laptop. But nevertheless, mobile computers do not compete with really powerful workstations infrequently: their processors are slightly ... stifled, and there is little RAM, and the storage capacity is not serious. Of course, you can work with pleasure, but it is better not to compare it with a normal desktop PC.



    Models that really replace the desktop computer in all respects can be counted on the fingers. We’ll talk about one of them, the Dell Precision M3800 Mobile Workstation. It was she who made me first look at my seemingly powerful home computer with a certain skepticism and seriously think about an upgrade.



    In Dell itself, this device is not considered a laptop at all. On the US site of the company Precision M3800 is found only in the Workstations section. Of course, there is a certain ... coquetry: if something looks like a laptop, works like a laptop and is easily carried away with you - this is most likely a laptop. Moreover, the exterior of the M3800 resembles the grown up ultrabook Dell. Grown up, but not fat: in the thickest place only 18 mm. Plus, thanks to the aluminum frame and carbon fiber body, the weight of the machine with a 15.6-inch screen pulls only 1.88 kg.

    So why a workstation, not a laptop? Let's figure it out.



    The machine uses an Intel Core i7-4702HQ processor with 4 cores and support for Hyper-Threading. The nominal frequency is 2.2 GHz, under a load of up to 3.2 GHz. In the benchmark built into the WinRAR archiver, it knocks out more than 7100 points, while the 4-core Core i5 3570K in my home workstation, with its nominal frequency of 3.4 GHz, is barely enough for 2000 points. At about the same level, the so-called Core i7 got stuck in ultrabooks. In the case of the Precision M3800, we can confidently say that processor performance is enough for any work task, be it image processing, video and rendering in computer-aided design (CAD) systems.



    To match the processor and graphics chip - Nvidia Quadro K1100M with two gigabytes of its own memory type GDDR5. The GK107 chip, belonging to the Kepler family, has 384 shader cores. Records in games should not be expected from him, everything is there at the level of the consumer accelerator GT 750M. But Quadro drivers are optimized for professional applications (CAD or DCC), and the difference with conventional GeForce in the latter is very noticeable. It is also possible to connect an external monitor with a resolution of up to 3840x2160 pixels.

    True, this is not necessary at all, because most M3800 configurations use a 15.6-inch IPS-matrix with a resolution of 3200x1800 pixels. The screen is really very good. Bright, but not cutting eyes, with juicy, but correct shades and, importantly, with uniform illumination. On mobile computers with Windows, these are not common. You can complain about the fact that the screen is a) glossy and b) touch, but the first work does not interfere at all, and no one forces the glass to be touched. Also, high resolution affects games: in spite of a rather productive graphic part, even in World of Tanks it turns out to play only at the minimum settings. What once again hints: the car is still not for games, but for work.



    The above applies to all versions of the Dell Precision M3800, with the exception of one configuration with a Full HD screen (it is, as you might guess, the cheapest). The remaining items may vary and, moreover, they can be changed independently after purchase.



    The amount of RAM is from 8 to 16 GB. Actually, in the characteristics of the processor it is written that it will pull 32 GB, but the Dell website says "up to 16". Unfortunately, there are no modules of the right size at hand and there’s nothing to check the functionality of the 32-gigabyte configuration for. Although even 16 GB is, to put it mildly, a lot. The M3800 uses conventional SODIMM DDR3 modules, which you can replace yourself. The only barrier to upgrading is the need to remove the entire back cover. Yes, no special windows are provided in the name of structural rigidity, but, on the other hand, unscrewing 12 screws is not so hot any task. The main thing is that the household has a miniature hex screwdriver.

    Then you can choose between a configuration with a conventional hard drive or a combination of SSD + HDD. The LITEON SSD (256 GB) used in my version produces 512 MB / s in read mode and 398 MB / s in write mode (for comparison, the Seagate corporate SSD in my home computer shows 431 and 440 MB / s, respectively).



    Next door is a 500 GB Seagate Laptop SSHD hybrid with 5400 rpm spindle speeds. Next to the plates, it houses an 8 GB flash memory chip, where the drive automatically copies the most frequently used files. If, for example, you constantly open the same large table in Excel or a database, the acceleration can be very noticeable. If 500 GB is not enough, the user is free to replace the drive with any other of the same volume - as long as it fits within a height of 7 mm. More precisely, the usual 9 mm will fit in height, however, it does not fit well with the mount. And putting in to hang out is risky. An SSD is also easy to change, and you can immediately buy a configuration with 512 GB of on-board flash storage.



    By default, Windows 8.1 Professional is installed on the Precision M3800, but Dell also ships with Windows 7 Pro. It all depends on the user's preferences, which, one must think, will merge when Windows 10 comes out with all the advantages of Windows 8.1, such as speed and security, and with the more familiar Start menu.



    The M3800, shipped to Russia, uses the Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260 adapter with support for 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0. In the American version, you can also find Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 that supports 802.11ac, but it is still being certified in our country.



    However, the module is not soldered to the board, and if necessary, it can be replaced with a more advanced one. And, by the way, not necessarily the production of Intel.



    The Precision M3800 cooling system serves both the CPU and the GPU, and given that their total TDP is 82 W (37 + 45), two turbines were needed. However, you can hear them only during 3D games or long-term rendering, and in everyday use they work completely silently.



    In operation, the

    Dell Precision M3800 differs from most of its simply large brothers not only in its serious performance, but also in some calm thoughtfulness. For example, a diode is built into the plug of the charger, and you can always see whether the battery is charging at the moment or not. Also on the port side is a charge level indicator that lights up when a button protrudes slightly above the surface.



    The user has three USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port, and two devices (specially marked) can be used to charge other devices, even if the computer is turned off. There was also a place for HDMI, mini DisplayPort ports and a card reader. An Ethernet port is not provided, but a USB-to-Ethernet adapter is supplied with the M3800. Also in the box is a flash drive with a capacity of 8 GB, on which files are recorded to completely restore the factory settings. Useful if you decide to change the drives.


    The connectors are very solidly mounted on the motherboard. It is almost impossible to tear them out or damage them.

    The base of the machine is made of “a single piece of carbon fiber”, the top cover is made of aluminum. Build quality is impeccable. Just perfect - that's all.

    Due to the lightness of the lower part, the trick with lifting the lid with one finger is only partially possible: the bottom rushes for a while after the top. The space around the keyboard is equipped with a slightly soft and very pleasant to the touch coating, which in addition is completely not soiled. Unfortunately, the touchpad just loves to collect “fingers”, which does not affect its functionality, but it will force beauty connoisseurs to always keep a handful of cleaning wipes on hand.



    The keyboard is equipped with a backlight, extremely useful for workaholics and owls at the same time, and is generally convenient. Especially if you get used to it during the day. The only thing that causes some bewilderment is why the keyboard was made so small? She seemed to migrate from a 13-inch ultrabook, where, for obvious reasons, you need to save space and reduce the keys. But there is a lot of space! Business colleagues manage to integrate almost full-size versions into 15-inch cars. I repeat, if you get used to it a bit, it prints easily, and the key stroke is optimally selected, but a little more ...



    Given the diagonal of the screen and the performance of the filling, we can assume that the battery in the M3800 is suitable only for use in UPS mode, but this is far from the case. Indeed, under maximum load, when both the processor and the GPU are working, a 6-cell battery for 61 Wh is discharged literally in half an hour, but in more gentle modes it will last for five hours. If you take the version with a battery of 91 Wh (there is one in the options), the workstation will give odds to most ultrabooks. With incomparable performance and overall comfort.



    The plate on the back of the M3800 is not for beauty. It hides two screws and information for the service.
    A question may arise - why do we need laptops with a large screen and such a powerful filling? There are normal large computers, there are monoblocks. What is the meaning of a laptop?

    I myself have a desktop (more precisely, a desktop) computer since 1996. However, for four years (from 2009 to 2013) I simultaneously kept such workstations at home here - laptops with a diagonal of 15 to 18 inches. They are comfortable. You cannot say otherwise. Turn on the large computer while you boot. And then he just lifted the lid - and please. Plus, if necessary, you can always move to another room or kitchen - and continue to work with all the comfort. True, I didn’t have to think about taking these engines with me on a trip or to work - they were thick and heavy. Precision M3800 on their background just a feather.


    In this photo you can compare the thickness of the M3800 with smartphones HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Galaxy S5

    My laptops did not have such high-quality screens, and therefore they worked very conditionally for working with graphics. And with the video, I preferred to be smart on a large computer. Nevertheless, a large convenient laptop on the table was always very handy. I parted with him only because I brought home a luxurious Philips monitor with an aspect ratio of 21x9 and a resolution of 2560x1080. "Tanks" on it look just wonderful. Panorama - as if two screens were glued together. Yes, and three pages in Word at the same time - this is useful. In general, as a result, the desktop computer turned on more often, and the laptop less and less. I had to reluctantly sell the last giant (just 18-inch) and move to the desktop completely. By the way, all desktop laptops were sold almost faster than iPhones. In the latter case, three minutes have passed from the publication of the announcement to the letter from the buyer.

    The Dell Precision M3800 is a complete desktop replacement workstation. For effective work, it has everything - a sufficient margin of performance (in some cases - excessive), drives of a sufficient and easily expandable volume, an uncompromisingly good screen. And, of course, interfaces for connecting additional displays and accessories.



    And from a laptop - the ability to easily carry a car with you without tearing your back. A very sensible option for engineers, designers and photographers who have to travel a lot in space. Moreover, for simplicity, you can buy a device with preinstalled programs of the Adobe Creative Cloud family (with a license for 12 months) and Lightroom.

    The three-year warranty, which Dell has very clearly organized, cannot but rejoice. I tested it myself with a Dell Latitude 10 tablet, a new battery for which I was sent from the UK without a hitch.

    But the Dell Precision M3800 is the solution for those who know exactly what they want and are willing to pay for it. The product, frankly, is not from the budget. The simplest configuration (Full HD screen, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB hybrid HDD without SSD) will cost you 87,500 rubles (the price of the official online store Dselect.ru ). The configuration that I visited on the test (QHD + screen, 16 GB of RAM and a bunch of SSD + HDD) costs an impressive 109,900 rubles.

    Expensive? Well, probably, for 60 thousand such a car would be much nicer to buy. And for 40 - and in general. However, such a set of iron in such a compact case can not be cheaper. I’ll tell you a secret that the different configurations of the Precision M3800 surprisingly overlap in price with the versions of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. They are very similar in hardware, but in the “poppies”, for example, there is no professional Nvidia Quadro K1100M GPU, as well as a hybrid HDD paired with an SSD. Please do not see in my words a hint of holivar. Everyone has different preferences and different tasks. However, really powerful and well-made mobile computers are quite expensive. All manufacturers. Probably, fun for the Precision M3800 is not worth buying. But for a serious pro, such a price is not an obstacle. And for his employer too.



    Personally, I really liked the Dell mobile workstation. It is well made and powerful not in size. My own experiments with photographs and videos are unlikely to pay off the investment in the Precision M3800, but I do not know one or two people whose life it fits well with. The ability to travel, after a difficult working day, quickly process a hundred photographs and put them in layout, without bringing your eyes to the state of a rabid rabbit, or mount a video in half less time - all this is really very cool. And leaves more for an interesting thing called life.

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