Help deciding between m4400 and M6400 (both with QX9300)

I bought two laptops from Dell Outlet M4400 and M6400. Really need help deciding which one I should keep (and add to my signature) and which one to send back. I am sure this community can help me make an informed decision. Thanks.

My usage:
-Development - VS 2008, MS SQL and tools.
-Graphics - Limited Photoshop (Beginner to Mid level)
-Virtual Machines - 1 to 2 at any given time
-Always ON configuration
-NO Gaming - sorry I suck at games!
-Occasional Travel

M4400: $1500
QX9300 - 2GB - 80GB 72K RPM - RGB LED LCD - NVidia 1700
My plan is to swap the 80 GB with my tablet PC's 120 GB and install 320 GB in modular bay also get 4 GB RAM bringing total cost to about $1650

Pros: Manageable size, RGB LED
Cons: Additional cost for RAM and modular bay HDD, Not sure about TrueLife Glossyness yet!

M6400: $1700
QX9300 - 4GB - 120 GB SSD + 250 GB 72K - WXGA LCD - Nvidia 2700

Pros: Pretty much everything
Cons: Low res LCD and BIG+Heavy even for occasional travel or meetings.

I could find cheaper configurations but I picked the one's with QX9300. There are some available in both machines that are T9900 and are ~$300 cheaper.

Questions:
1. Am I making the right decision by getting QX9300 given my somewhat non power usage? Is heat an issue in either? I do want to future proof at least for 2 years.

2. If I go for lower CPU should I go for x9100 or T9900 or Q9000/9100, they do show up occasionally on the outlet site.

3. I really find the second hard drive option useful. Does the slightly higher mobility of m4400 justify additional cost to buy and install the mod bay HDD?

4. Are the prices reasonable for the configurations above? I can find a m4400 with T9900/4GB/250GB/WXGA for ~$1150 and a M6400 with T9900/4GB/NO SSD for ~$1200

I would really appreciate your feedback.
Thanks

 

you already posted this on M6400 owner's thread...
but you'll get most reply by going to the What Notebook Should I Buy thread...

 

@x7web - Same response I gave in the owner's thread...
I am a programmer as well and don't do much (if any) gaming. Based on the information you provided, especially the need for mobility, I would highly recommend the m4400. I am EXTREMELY happy with mine (it has replaced my development "tower" workstation), and have not had ANY problems to date. I too run multiple virtual machines (using Virtual Box). I haven't had any heat issues - although I did replace the thermal paste on both my cpu and gpu heat sinks.

My answers to your questions below:
1. Am I making the right decision by getting QX9300 given my somewhat non power usage? Is heat an issue in either? I do want to future proof at least for 2 years.

I purchased my m4400 with the QX9300 for two reasons: First to allow for effective power usage of multiple virtual machines, and secondly, to try and "future proof" as much as possible. Heat has not been an issue for me and I am extremely happy with my choice. Again, please note that I did replace the thermal pads with Arctic Silver thermal paste to control temps. There is a "how to" posted somewhere in this forum.

2. If I go for lower CPU should I go for x9100 or T9900 or Q9000/9100, they do show up occasionally on the outlet site.

I recommend the QX9300 for the reasons indicated in question 1 if you have the available cash... That said, I don't have any insight into the other CPUs.

3. I really find the second hard drive option useful. Does the slightly higher mobility of m4400 justify additional cost to buy and install the mod bay HDD?

I use a USB HDD as a second hard drive with my machine. One of the reasons I chose the m4400 was specifically for the docking station option so that I would be able to drive my two 22" monitors without having to plug and unplug cables whenever I sit at my desk. I just leave my external HDD plugged in to the dock so it's there whenever I'm at my desk. When I'm mobile, the 320 GB internal drive is plenty to get the job done for me.

4. Are the prices reasonable for the configurations above? I can find a m4400 with T9900/4GB/250GB/WXGA for ~$1150 and a M6400 with T9900/4GB/NO SSD for ~$1200

The prices you quoted appear to be extremely reasonable IMO. I purchased mine about 6 months ago with all the bells and whistles (although I did minimize the RAM and hard drive so that I could replace them after market - Dell is WAY over priced for hard drives and RAM) and I paid quite a bit more then the prices you quoted. The prices have definitely come down.

Good luck and please post your final decision! Check my sig for my config. If you have any questions, post them or PM me.

 

I realize this is off-topic but I wonder what explains that price difference between Europe and the states. I'm in the market for a M4400 as well. However when I simulate a M4400 (spec'd similar as above) on the Belgian version of the Dell site (a new one though as we don't have access to the outlet AFAIK) I arrive at a price of EUR 2500 (USD 3717). In comparison, a new M4400 as above on the US site is USD 2500.That's just unbelievable! Overall it appears to be 50% more expensive. USD 1500 for this M4400 is just cheap if you ask me.

 

Percomp, Thank you for the prompt feedback. I too am leaning towards the m4400.

My M6400 arrived yesterday and I am impressed by the build quality, however, I have never owned a 17 incher before and I must say that when the entire industry keeps talking of "smaller, thinner, better" it is difficult to get used to this 9lb beast with its gigantic charger. Hopefully my M4400 arrives by Tuesday, I would then compare them first hand and let you know which I picked.

I am nervous about the RGB LED. I hate glare. Wish they made a non glare RGB like M6400.

What has been your experience with TrueLife? Is it glossy like the mirror like LCD's lined up at Best Buy?

 

pretty much yea. its not as bad as some machines, but still pretty bad.

 

@x7web - IMO, the RGB LED is one of the best screens I have ever used. While it is a TrueLife screen, the glare is not anywhere near as bad as my old XPS was... I too wish that it was offered in matte for the m4400, but obviously that wasn't an option. To be honest, my m4400 is used about 75% of the time in a docking station driving 2 monitors. The other times are usually at Starbucks or on the couch - so I really haven't noticed any issues with the screen. I will say (as will others) that this is one of the brightest LEDs that I have ever used.

I guess you will see soon enough...

 

Hello, x7web.

My usage approximates yours, with developing (Eclipse), Photoshop, running 1 to 3 virtual machines at any given time and occasional traveling. It is, however, not "always on" (but nearly all day) and I play games occasionally. All in all, I'd say you should keep the M4400.

Okay, here are my thoughts:

Screens:
I really adore the high resolution of the M4400's screen. It's really, really great when developing software, and I wouldn't want to go back anymore.

The RGBLED screens seem to have oversaturated greens and especially reds, which may cause weirdnesses in Cleartype and an overall reddish hue. I had a pretty in-depth analysis discussion with other forum members (especially "checho") in another Thread You can get tons of pictures in that thread, in case you're experiencing similar issues. Additionally, you can apply a color profile by HP which should lessen the general oversaturation that M4400's RGBLED screens seem to have, as well as improve general display quality. I already wrote a short explanation on how to do this in another Thread.
EDIT:

It's not very glossy. checho had posted two pictures of the amount of gloss which may help you decide. And here's a comparison shot of the glossy and matte screens of the M4400. The screen looks very glossy when it's turned off, but it's nowhere as glossy as the new macbooks for example. I am sitting at my M4400 right now with a very huge window behind me, and it's not disturbing at all. Then again, I have never felt very disturbed by glossy screens, so I might be some kind of special case.

Back then, checho decided to give back his M4400 because it was uncomfortable for him to read text on it for hours because of the gloss. I never feel uncomfortable when looking at the screen even for 10 hours straight. We both agreed that 1920x1200 is absolutely perfect.

SSD of the M6400:
While the Samsung SSDs that Dell uses aren't nearly as bad as the stuttering, old JMicron ones, Dell usually wants too much money for them.

Processor:

I'm fully satisfied with my 2.4GHz P8600, especially as it makes my machine run silent whenever there's only light load:

Source: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5538337#post5538337​

I wouldn't want to get a one of the 35W TDP CPUs (P-series is 25W TDP). My processor is fast enough for my usage (see above) and makes my machine run silent.

Mobility:

For me, personally, the slight difference in size is really a big difference in mobility. Your mileage may vary, but never underestimate how tired you will get of carrying that M6400 around once you have it for a month or so.

Remember that the Precisions also have eSATA.
Also, TRIM will not work if you use your SSD(s) in a RAID. This will give you a noticeable speed decrease over time with a Samsung SSD (Dell uses Samsung SSDs).



Of course, this is just my personal experience. Do not rely on it solely.