New Laptop - M6800 vs XPS 9530

So, I'm looking at getting a new laptop and the 2 that I am looking at are the M6800 and the XPS 9530. I think there are merits to both and I'm not sure which way I want to go. To help you guys get a better understanding of my needs, this is what I'll be doing:

- light video
- light photo
- light gaming
- LOTS of virtualization, Going to have a lab set up on this system, but not all VMs have to be running simultaneously
- I am a Dell ProSupport tech and this laptop is primarily for me to use as a tool for learning and gaining certifications

M6800 Pros - More power, easy upgrades, easy repairs, upgrade options in the future, ability to dock

XPS 9530 pros - lighter system, probably better battery life, very hi-res screen

M6800 config: i7 4800MQ, 16GB memory, 1TB HDD, AMD FirePro M6100, price after warranty, $2648 - my discount = ~$2198
XPS 9530 config: i7 4702HQ, 16GB memory, 1TB HDD, NVidia GT750M, price after warranty $2458 - discount = ~$2040

 

Well the XPS should do the job, virtualization largely depends on available RAM and CPU
So you wouldnt realy see much of a difference between the two.

I dont realy know why you compare, the one is an ultraportable, the other is almost a desktop (one does not simply move a 17" with a weight of 4kg in a backpack)
IF you want to go with the fatty, (personally) I would only accept it if it had a toptier GPU. The Firepro M6100 is just midtier and barely any faster than a GT750M

Now its just weight/portability VS upgradeability (wouldnt really say that it has noticeable more performance)

O, just saying, go for a SSD+HDD combo if you are paying 2000$ anyway

 

I know its kind of an unconventional comparison. What I keep going back and forth on is that I like having a 17" screen and the additional power at my disposal. ON the other hand, I like the portability of the XPS and am intrigued by the 3200 x 1800 screen.

 

The M6100 gpu is way better then the gtx 750m its up there with a 770m and better then the 750m sli, heck my m7820 beats one 750m in games that still have support for the 5700 series gpu and the precision will be more ideal for virturalization setup cause of vast upgrade optons and( 32gb ram support/ higher cpu options/ mxm 3.0 slot/ so you can swap the gpu for much faster ones(gtx 880m) down the road, but the precision is bigger then the xps

 

I had similar dillema.

Eventually I opted for the M4800 configured as follows:
- i7-4900MQ
- 32 GB RAM (self uprade)
- 1TB Samsung 840 EVO (self upgrade)
- nVidia K1100M
- FHD (1920x1080) screen

It is now my best virtualization lab ever. I can run simultaneously 6-10 VMs w/o a problem. The only dowside is the terrible TN Screen but since I have the U3014 connected to my docking station I can live with that. The M4800 is yet pretty portable (2.8kg) and I can take it to my customer's for presentations not beaded with sweat. I went for M4800 also because of good cooling and upgrade abilities whch XPS line simply does not have. Cooling is a very important factor if you run your laptop 24h per day. The M4800's keyboard is much better than the one in the XPS. As a surplus I have got excellent warranty and support for the Precision line from Dell.

I must add some sad words about the screen choice for M4800 and M6800.
If you go for FHD you get crappy TN screen from Chimei or LG but Optimus works fine and battery time is pretty decent (up to 5h).
In terms of quality the only decent option is QHD+ (3200x1800) but unfortunately any resolution above 1920x1080 on a 15" or 17" screen makes it in my opinion unusable. Additionally you loose Optimus what results in battery times below 2h.

I know, it is Dell thread, but If I were you I would also consider HP Z Book 15 or 17. You can get high quality beautiful IPS FHD screen with it and all the goodies the Dells have. The only downside is steep price.

Let us know when you get a new laptop and share your opinion.

Good luck with your choice.

mefistoteles

 

Another downside of ZBooks in comparison to Precision would be the keyboard.
Perhaps not an issue of same importance to everyone.