Dell Precision M6700 Owners Thread

thanks, I understood.
but why this choose? practically in some light operations (like internet or just also to play HD video for what HD4000 is optimized) it would good to split to intel gpu...
so it won't be possible to get optimus work in the future?

 

Yes, it would be great, but the problem is that Intel didn't add support for 10-bit color in its IGP. Hopefully it will get introduced with Haswell (so, maybe Optimus and IPS screens might be possible with the future M6800).

 

It's routed, but to that other connection on the board. So, if you use a standard screen and connect it to the other port, the Optimus would work.

Normally, with Optimus, the Intel IGP is always connected to the screen and the Nvidia drivers handle the Nvidia graphics card and display its output by using the IGP's frame buffer.

Now, maybe the frame buffer size is the problem if it's created according to the Intel IGP's 8-bit spec and thus can't fit the 10-bit content?

The Dell motherboard then has to route the external graphics card lines to a separate display connection for the IPS screen so that the Intel IGP is not used at all.

Are you saying that 7970M and 680M don't support 10-bit color output? I don't see why that would be the case.

 

That is what i meant, intel to LVDS but not the eDP.

The hardware maybe able to to 10bit, but it need driver support to "enable" 10bit pixel format (AMD term) or Deep Color for 3D Applications(nvidia).

 

Hi all -- I'm about ready to purchase an m6700 w/PremierColor for photo editing, but I have a few questions.

1. Due to limited space in my apartment, I will be doing all of my editing from my couch, so I will be using this on my lap rather than as a desktop replacement. Coming from a 15" (~5lbs,) HP Envy, I'm wondering if the m6700 will be too heavy/uncomfortable to use on my lap. I want the larger screen size, and need a top of the line IPS screen with the best color gamut coverage possible, so is what led me to the m6700.
3. My initial concerns with the m6700 were the dated design aesthetic/weight/bulkiness and the small touchpad. I've gotten over the design/weight issue, given that my #1 priority is the screen. However, that touchpad looks TINY. Again, since I will be using the m6700 on my lap, I will be using the touchpad 100% of the time for mouse actions. Do you owners find the size of the touchpad to be a problem (especially if you have prior experience working on a larger touchpad)?
5. I have a specific question about the mSata port being limited to SATA II. I want this to be a future proof machine and I want to make use of SATA III speeds with a modern SSD. Someone on this thread mentioned using an adapter to get SATA III speeds? Can anyone expand? What kind of adapter? Does this get you to true SATA III speeds? Are there any limitations?
7. Lastly, is the Covet edition really ~$500 more on an *identical* build for edge to edge Gorilla glass and a flashy color? Love the idea of E2E (modernizes the design slightly), but sheesh, $500?

 

I don't mind using the machine on my lap from time to time but I don't personally think that I would be comfortable with it for a long period of time (more than an hour or two). Also, it can get rather warm if you are pushing it. When I'm using my machine on the couch I set it in front of me on one of those TV dinner tray tables. I imagine that you could find room for something like that, they even make ones that fold up for storage (like this).

You can't get SATA-3 speed out of the mSATA port, there is no such adapter. You can get an adapter that will let you install an mSATA drive into a regular 2.5" drive bay, and if that drive bay has a SATA-3 port, you'll get SATA-3. But it'd be cheaper and more reasonable to just get a regular 2.5" SSD, rather than using an mSATA card + adapter in the same bay.

 

M6800 is rumored for when?..... 2014?....maybe touchscreen by then lol

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks, that's what I had feared. Hmm, the screen is a huge priority for me, so I might have to deal with some discomfort and maybe get a folding dinner tray like you suggested. How do you like using the touchpad when you're on the couch? Is it big enough/comfortable enough to use without any complaints?

Aaron, my apologies. My technical knowledge has fallen off the past few years. If I'm not mistaken, the m6700 has space for an mSata drive and at least 2 x 2.5" drives (without removing the opitcal drive). I want my setup to be 1 SSD + 1 HDD. I'll configure my system from Dell with 1 HDD only. I already own a Crucial M4 and I think it's a normal 2.5" form factor, therefore, I would just pop my Crucial into one of the available 2.5" drive bays, correct? I think that would give me full SATA III speeds on my Crucial? I guess my only issue would be if I ever wanted to add a 2nd HDD and still keep my optical drive, then I'd have to use an mSATA drive, right? Sorry again for my rusty knowledge here.

If I can toss in one more question --- I've researched for weeks and it seems as if the Elitebook is the only other system that will give me the screen that I need in a laptop (aside from a Clevo build, which I don't want).
The Elitebook starts at 7.66 lbs. which is not much different than the m6700 @ 7.76 lbs.
I think I know the answer, but am I missing any slimmer/lighter systems that have a pro-grade IPS screen w/excellent color coverage?
It looks like the 15" workstation variants shave off ~1 - 1.4 lbs. from the larger 17" models. A pound is nothing to sneeze at, but the m4700 can't be ordered with the IPS screen right now and the 8570w (HP 15") is even more expensive than the larger m6700 and is one pound less. Is there anything else I'm missing?

 

The touch pad is hardly "tiny", but I'm not a touchpad user so they're all annoying to me.

Inc incidentally, when you say dated aesthetics exactly what is it that you're looking for? Remember, this is a business laptop. For those that prefer trends, Dell offers Alienware for that. One more thing, speaking of dated aesthetics, have you visited an Apple's store lately?

1. A 17" laptop is just too large and unwieldy to put on your lap. Its called a desktop replacement for a reason. In addition, the 17 " Precisions is an industrial machines so it just doesn't fit well in that position. Its smaller 15" brethren however, can be used as such, but that's something Apple's thin and light notebooks are better made for.
   
   If that's the way you intend to use your laptop, just remember the discomfort and limited use will become your closest friends.
   Yes, that is a hefty sum isn't it.

 

Gotcha, and agreed, they are annoying compared to actual mice.

Krane, as mentioned, my primary use will be photo editing, so my #1 priority is an excellent IPS screen with full color gamut coverage. It needs to be powerful enough to handle Lightroom/Photoshop/and other photo editing software without a hiccup (I want it to fly). Furthermore, it needs to be future proof, so that means either upgradeable, or currently powerful enough to handle the next 2-3 versions of LR/PS, etc with all their enhancements over the years. Unfortunately, I don't have a desk, so I will have to use the machine on my lap. I understand this is an industrial workstation, and I'd better suited with a modestly powerful MBR alternative, or any other thin & light, but workstations are the only things (I think - this was my last question to Aaron, above), that will give me the screen that I need in a laptop.