Please Review Precision M4300

Hi -

Would appreciate any and all comments on the Precision M4300. What is the thickness, weight - any sleekness?

To be used graphically (Flash etc.).

Many thanks!

 

im fairly sure it was released like yesterday so it will be a long time before a review.

Also its not a laptop a lot of people will be buying (its very expensive)

 

Yes - released about two weeks ago. Looks like it would be great for graphics. Wish I could see one for real, instead of a not so great picture.

Many thanks!

 

Isn't the NVIDIA Quadro FX 360M only like a 8400gt?

 

I don't know. Is the NVIDIA Quadro FX 360M a good video card?

 

http://www.nvidia.com/page/quadrofx_go.html

Memory bandwidth is 9.6Gb/s which matches the 8400M

 

Ordered mine on 27th June - thats right, within a few hours of worldwide launch (live 10+ hours ahead of the US zone).

Have groped for a long time for a perfect option, and the standards have been high - particularly for the display. Been using a Sony A series (VGN-A170P) with 17" display for last nearly 3 years. Driven by 1.7 GHz Centrino Dothan, it has been quite a workhorse and a stunner with its amazing 1920 x 1200 res with dedicated ATI9700 GPU.

Lugging the weight is a pain now, but it is been worth every lbs with the number of heads that it turned in its service. With glory that is past, it became a concious effort to search for a smaller notebook. Actually had the Dell D630 and T61 as cotenders for a while - untill the 14.1 guised a drastic cut in real estate for current addiction. Even at 1440x900, the screen feels rather constrained if one is used to the luxury of WUXGA.

So Dell D830 and T61 (15.4") were the finalists to the search, and just then swooped in the M4300 precision. A perfect build with the dedicated GPU. Having been using the glossy display all this while, opted for a WSXGA+ with Truelife - which probably was presented as an option for the first time in the Business Class notebook. From the word that goes around, I doubt that it will be a match for the Sony Xbrite. Keeping fingers crossed and have queried the Dell staff like forever to ensure that at the least, it is not dead disappointing. They promise better results than the Matt, so it sounds like an acceptable compromise to live with.

But that's that for now. Ever since the order was placed, its been a long wait. Just checked with Dell and its expected in the next couple of days. The wait is killing aaaaarrrghgh.

Hope to share the experience first hand. Here is what is coming soon -

Dell Precision M4300 V (for Vista)
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2Ghz/800/4MB
2GB DDR2 Dual-Channel 667Mhz
nVidia Quadro FX 360 M 512MB Turbocache
Bluetooth
DVD +/- RW DVD Burner
9-Cell 85 wHr Battery
15.4" WSXGA+ with TrueLife
120GB 7200RPM SATA
Norton 2007 15 months
Intel 3945ABG 54Mbps Wireless
Dell Nylon Carrying Case
Windows Vista Ultimate 32
Complete Cover 3years

 

The m4300 is essentially just an updated M65. I really wish they would've given the option for an 8600GT in it, I don't know why Dell's business/portable workstation laptops are always so weak in the GPU department.

 

Because business owners are less likely to play games and more likely to need extended battery life, decreased weight, and thinner size.

 

Prabhash -

Anxious to hear what you think of it once it arrives. The display is important to me and I will go with the one you ordered as well. I have been looking at the Lenovo T60/61 but Dell warrenty, support, and response is a big one. I like the looks of the Compaq nc8430 but have heard bad reports on their support so this seems to be my best option.

 

Dell precision M65/M4300 GPU's are not weak for what they are designed for,and will easily outperform an 8600GT in MCAD and DCC while offering a lot more battery life in a thinner package with the all important stability that comes with Quadro's.

A link to an M65 review with OGL benchmark comparisons to the same owners X1900XTX powered desktop.
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread182897.html

Look forward to hearing your opinions Prabhash when you get it

 

Is 15.4 inch Wide Screen WSXGA+ TrueLife LCD Panel going to be very small on this Wide Screen? Is the screen display a good one? Is the non-glare better?

What is this: Execute Disable Bit for Microsoft® Windows® XPSP2 set to OFF add $0 (added today, 7/19)

What is Bluetooth? Do I need it?

How is the sound?

*****************************************************

Next week my order will be:

Dell Precision M4300 w/XP PRO
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2Ghz/800/4MB
2GB DDR2 Dual-Channel 667Mhz
nVidia Quadro FX 360 M 512MB Turbocache
DVD +/- RW DVD Burner
6-Cell 85 wHr Battery
15.4" WSXGA+ with TrueLife
120GB 7200RPM SATA
Intel 3945ABG 54Mbps Wireless
Genuine Windows® XP Professional, SP2 with Media
3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year NBD On-site Service and CompleteCare

**********************************************************

System weight?

Comments welcome, as I haven't ordered yet! Any coupons etc. that anyone knows of.

Thanks!

 

Here is an update from Dell - Delivery Delayed to July 23. This seems to be common phenomenon now - the business is good with the new releases and lots of furore about them, Dell it seems has bitten more than they can handle.

Hope this does not carry on to their after sales. After having comitted dates twice, this hopefully is final. I have it in writing from their manager, so it should stick.

Still waiting....

 

fmv503, check out the specksheet here - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=143608&highlight=M4300+cafe

 

Dell delivered my M4300 on 21st July - before time . The least to say, all is positive for now. Will post a detailed review soon - just need time to get accustomed to Vista.

Here are some quick updates -

The build quality is great. Good keybrd, solid feel and nice business look.

The display screen is good - does not compare to my SONY 17" WUXGA but it is nice, sharp and clear. A tad too reflective but vibrant with 16.7 M colors (8 bit), unlike the ones on the cheaper inspirons and vostros which are irritably 6bit / 262k color. Some extra brightness could help, but overall it's great even in brightly lit room.

My apprehension for display size was put to rest. WSXGA+ was a great choice. WUXGA could make things too small for comfort.

For detailed physical specs, check out the manuals on the Dell site - Tech Support>choose product and download the required pdfs - they have all and with illustrations.

The machine should suit some 'not so heavy' graphics work that I may do on it. Mine is a C2D 7500 and it posted 53 secs for Super Pie 2M. The photoshop runs pretty smooth, and so does Dreamweaver.

The lappy has 9 cell battery, snugly fits with no protrusions. Battery life is certainly something to talk about. Watching DVD video with ambient light sensor (in a average lit room) gave 3 hrs & 40 mins before hybernating. Normal work like word processing and mailing gave battery life of over 4 hrs after which I had to call it off. It could have easily crossed 5 hrs or more for normal office work.

Will post pics with more details soon. Till then, hope this helps.

 

Thanks pbash - that is very helpful. I accessed the pdfs and found the answer to most all my questions.

I am typing on a Dell XPS M140 and the screen appears nice and bright - sure hope the M4300 is as nice. Appreciate the comment about the 9 cell battery (how much extra weight do you think it adds to the weight compared to what the 6 cell would)?

I am opting for XP PRO as Vista makes me nervous to even think about it.


*****************************************************

Next week my order will be:

Dell Precision M4300 w/XP PRO
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2Ghz/800/4MB
2GB DDR2 Dual-Channel 667Mhz
nVidia Quadro FX 360 M 512MB Turbocache
DVD +/- RW DVD Burner
6-Cell 85 wHr Battery (rethinking and might get the 9 cell)
15.4" WSXGA+ with TrueLife
120GB 7200RPM SATA
Intel 3945ABG 54Mbps Wireless
Genuine Windows® XP Professional, SP2 with Media
3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year NBD On-site Service and CompleteCare

**********************************************************

 

Fmv503, your order specs are pretty same as mine - except for the OS and no Antivirus. XP is stable but went with Vista as it's more of an eventuality. Moreover, always curious to get on early with the new stuff.

You will find the battery specs and more in the Manual. Did you download it? Check the Specification section if you did.

The wt difference is small. Check out the screenshot of the section (attached)

 

The warranty was what made me buy the D630, over IBM/Lenovo. I knew both were great products (i.e. D630 and T61), but the 3 yr warranty that came standard with the Dell business line laptops sealed it.

I'm having a blast on it.

Best,
Ilham

 

I'd also love to hear your experiences with the M4300 for those happy owners...

Cheers
Nick

 

some pics would be brilliant! thanks

 

Ordering M4300. Need advice. Does anybody know what it's weight with the 9cell battery? Also, WSXGA or WUXGA?

Thanks.

 

What about the Quadro 135M and 140M in the Latitude D830? Configuring one M4300 and two D830 with same everything apart for the video card (fx360M for precision, and 135M in one latitude, 140M on the other one), what difference one would notice between the three notebooks, what could one do or not do with each one?

Too reflective? How much? I am doubting between the D830 with a wsxga+ matte and the m4300 with the wsxga+ glossy, and as I want the notebook to resist in time (4 yeras) without becoming prehistoric too soon, I am more for the m4300 because of the videocard. But many persons tell me to take the matte. So I am confused. What do you think? Why do you take glossy?
Can you read well at the native resolution? What does it happen if you reduce it a little, or if you increase a little the dpi? Is it ugly?
I understand well about that the 9 cell battery do not exit from the notebook?

Could anybody have a look here and give me some help?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2770714#post2770714
Thanks!