Today Dell is taking the wraps off of an updated version of the M3800 mobile workstation which first launched in November 2013. This is the first thin and light mobile workstation, with a thickness of just 0.31” - 0.71” (8 mm – 18 mm) and a much lighter weight than other mobile workstations at that time. The 15.6” model has a starting weight of just 4.15 lbs, or 1.88 kg. That’s not light compared to an ultrabook, but it is in good company for other devices with a full quad-core CPU and a Quadro GPU onboard. Dell has tweaked the design, added new features, and responded to customer feedback about the device, as well as potential customer input.
The heart of what is powering this mobile workstation has not changed. Broadwell quad-core CPUs are not available yet, so the M3800 sticks with the Haswell Core i7-4712HQ processor, which is a four-core eight-thread CPU with a 2.3 GHz base and 3.3 GHz turbo speed. The 37 watt CPU includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, which is supplemented by the NVIDIA Quadro K1100M with 384 CUDA cores and 2 GB GDDR5 memory. This is a Kepler GPU, based on GK107, and has a maximum TGP of 45 watts Available memory is two slots with 16 GB of DDR3L So the processing power has not changed, so let’s take a look at what has changed.
The first obvious change is to the display. The M3800 was previously available with a QHD+ 3200x1800 IGZO panel, and now Dell has bumped that up to a 4K 3840x2160 IGZO2 model. This bumps the density up to 282 pixels per inch, and the IGZO2 panel should help with the power draw of the panel. Dell is claiming over 100% sRGB color gamut, and 72% of the Adobe RGB gamut with this display. Dell said they have worked hard with their third party software vendors to ensure a quality experience with a high DPI panel, and workstation class software suites like Adobe Creative Cloud do support High DPI now. Dell will also be offering a 1920x1080 panel, which should be a bit less expensive. Both displays come with 10-point multitouch, and Corning Gorilla Glass NBT.
Dell also solicited feedback from potential customers, and in response to requests from shops that want to move from Apple Retina MacBook Pros, they have added a Thunderbolt 2 port to the new model. This will allow customers who have invested in the Thunderbolt ecosystem to more easily switch, since they will not have to reinvest in accessories such as storage and displays. The Thunderbolt 2 port also doubles as a mini-DisplayPort. The other notable I/O change is that the new model will ship with a USB 3.0 Ethernet dongle versus the USB 2.0 version shipping with the previous generation M3800.
Storage options are also new for this model. Dell also got a lot of feedback about storage options, and they are now offering a 1 TB mSATA SSD in addition to the second 2.5” hard drive bay which can also be outfitted with a 1 TB SSD, for a total of 2 TB of solid state storage. Also, in response to customer demand, Intel SSDs are now available. In addition, traditional hard drives and hybrid hard drives are also optional.
| Dell M3800 Mobile Workstation | |
| Processor | Intel 4th Generation Core i7-4712HQ Four-core Eight-Thread 2.3 GHz Base 3.3 GHz Burst 6 MB Smart Cache 64-bit 37 W TDP |
| Memory | up to 16 GB DDR3L-1600 |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4600 20 EUs at 400-1150 MHz NVIDIA Quadro K1100M Kepler GK107 384 CUDA Cores 2GB GDDR5 |
| Display | 15.6" UHD 3840x2160 IGZO2 10 point touch 15.6" FHD 1920x1080 10 point touch |
| Storage | mSATA plus 2.5" bay 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB mSATA 500GB, 1TB 5400rpm HDD 500GB/8GB Hybrid HDD 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 2.5" SSD |
| Optical Drive | N/A |
| Networking | USB 3.0 Ethernet Dongle Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 w/BT 4.0 2x2:2 Dell Wireless 1560 2x2:2 802.11ac |
| Audio | Dual integrated high quality speakers Dual integrated noise cancelling digital array microphones Waves MaxxAudio® Pro suite |
| Battery/Power | 6 cell 61 Wh 6 cell 91 Wh 130W Max AC Adapter |
| Left Side | HDMI Thunderbolt 2.0/mDP Combo Port USB 3.0 with Powershare Headset Jack Battery Life Indicator |
| Right Side | 3-in-1 Card Reader USB 2.0 with PowerShare USB 3.0 with PowerShare |
| Operating System | Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit |
| Dimensions | 14.65" x 10" x 0.31-0.78" (WxDxH) 372 mm x 254 mm x 8-18 mm |
| Weight | Starting at 4.15 lbs / 1.88 kg |
| Extras | 720p HD Webcam Backlit Keyboard Precision touchpad, seamless glass integrated button |
| Pricing | $1699 Starting Price |
Dell is making a clear play at the Retina MacBook Pro. They commissioned Principled Technologies to perform independent tests versus the rMBP. Using Adobe Premiere Pro CC, the M3800 was up to 30% faster at rendering a video sequence, and 26% faster at transcoding. Also, the M3800 stayed cooler, with a surface temperature difference of 24.1° F on the top, and 5.9° F on the bottom. The inclusion of the Thunderbolt 2 port is also an important addition if they want to move clients over, since the cost of accessories can be much higher than the laptop itself especially in the 4K video field.
Another area where Dell is trying to gain share is with the Linux developer. Dell offers the XPS 13 Developer Edition laptop, and the M3800 will be joining the smaller laptop with an Ubuntu edition as well. This is in response to direct feedback from the developer community, who wanted something with a bit more power than the Ultrabook class XPS 13.
This is no ultrabook, even though it appears to wear that clothing. Dell developed the first mobile workstation in 2001, and for someone who needs that kind of power in a more mobile package, they now offer this updated M3800 to fit that niche. The new M3800 is on sale today, starting at $1699.
Source: Dell
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