Laptop Computer Review

Fields that rely upon strong processors, accurate color displays, and precise visual rendering, have often turned to WorkStation desktop PCs, which pack powerful processors and top-of-the-line graphics. The HP EliteBook 8740w ($1,999 direct) packs these same-grade components into a well-built laptop.

The 8740w comes equipped with your choice of a standard 17.0" anti-glare widescreen display or a "DreamColor" RGBLED backlit screen with a 10-bit panel that can display 1 billion colors. The screen brightness is rated at 300 nits (289 nits in our lab) and the contrast ratio of 800:1 (721:1 in our lab). This makes the screen viewable under direct sunlight. At 1920 x 1200 resolution, this high-definition HP EliteBook 8740w battery is capable of displaying the finest details in workstation applications like Maya, CAD, 3dsMax, and more.

While you probably won’t be using the 8740w inside an M1 Abrams tank, you can be assured that the 8740w’s performance is equivalent to the M1 Abrams’s firepower. Take for instance the 8740w’s showing in our multithreaded content-creation tests: The 8740w was 69 percent speedier than the zero-point iBuypower M865TU in Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, and 80 percent faster in ProShow Producer. Before you declare mission accomplished, however, we should point out that the hexa-core 3.33GHz Core i7-980X–based Eurocom D900F we reviewed in June 2010 lands an uncontested coup against the 8740w—including a 225 percent trouncing of the 8740w in our Premiere Pro test.

Over the massive looking hinges that have a sufficient hold on the heavy display in practically every position, we work our way to the display's upper edge, including the installed webcam. Here, we likely find one of the few, and admittedly controversial "critique points" of the case – the display latch hook. No, inferior plastic has been used here. The ramshorn system even keeps the display very securely in a closed position. It's simply the metal's inelegant mushroom shape that protrudes out of the display. When the display is closed, both thorns are fed into the other side and lock. This HP EliteBook 8740w AC adapter can be reversed by pushing the generously sized slider on the notebooks front. Upon that, the display springs open by a few millimeters and emits a few disagreeable noises due to its construction.

This EliteBook 8740w produces a lot of heat especially when you’re doing a lot on the machine. It can also get quite loud, but generally it’s not that noticeable.

Going into this, I knew this laptop would knock the socks off my current desktop computer. I run a 2.8Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac with 4GB of ram (DDR2) and an ATI Radeon HD2600 graphics card. Dated, yes, especially when Adobe CS5 hit the shelves, but, by optimizing my projects and by setting up renders over night, It does its job perfectly well.

The usability of the EliteBook 8740W is hit and miss; we like the big palm rest and the comfortable touchpad with soft buttons, and also that it has a Trackpoint device installed. However, we don't like its keyboard. The buttons are soft, but they require a lot of force to hit and more often that not we had to go back and correct our mistakes. The spacebar is quite unresponsive unless you hit it hard.

Icrontic is proud to grant the HP EliteBook 8740W our coveted Golden Fedora, an award reserved for products that are exceptional in every way. I cannot really name a downside to this fine machine. For professionals who want to go mobile, this is the laptop you’ve been waiting for.

With its 17in screen and weight of 3.6kg, it's definitely not the most mobile notebook. However, there is an impressive amount of power packed into its chassis. The trade-off here is that HP EliteBook 8740w battery won't last a long time; it survived only 51min in our worst case scenario battery test.

In the FEAR tests it soared to an average frame rate of 174fps at Maximum detail settings - well in excess of any other model on test. Though we wouldn't expect gamers to be queuing up to buy a pro laptop such as the HP EliteBook 8740w XT914UA, it does give a good indication of just how well the nVidia Quadro 5000M graphics card with its 2GB of video memory will do when handling graphics-intensive applications.

I took an HP EliteBook 8740w mobile workstation out of a box. I set it squarely on a table my children use to paint pictures of birds, leaves and wild yaks feeding on lichen in the hallow of a Himalayan valley. After all the contents were out, it was time to see exactly what this machine was capable of. *Thunder rumbles in distance* Yeah, so, as you will see, the exterior is a sleek, yet cold gun metal finish (magnesium alloy), rugged looking yet modern and minimal… Click images to enlarge.

That may change with the introduction of the HP EliteBook 8740w Mobile Workstation. Perhaps you’ve looked into so-called mobile workstations before, but did any of them offer a 1,920×1,200-pixel 30-bit color display combined with a fast Intel Core i7 dual-core or quad-core processor? You can equip the 8740w with a speedy ATI or NVIDIA graphics subsystem and fill it with 16GB of SDRAM. Even the 7.8-pound weight isn’t that bad, given what’s inside. The HP AV08 battery life? It’s acceptable considering what the battery has to power. The standard 8-cell battery is rated for up to three hours and 30 minutes. If you attach the optional high-capacity 12-cell Dell WU946 battery, the two batteries combined will give you as much as 8 hours of activity. Though we all know that “up to” or “as much as” means you probably won’t see the full length of time with a typical workload.

Fuel Brand Network recently had the opportunity to review the new HP Elitebook 8740w Mobile Workstation, courtesy of the wonderful folks over at Hewlett-Packard, and they jumped at the chance to get this bad boy in their hands. Of course, they felt it would be best tested by us here at Fuel Your Motionography because of the work we do, the long render times we run into and the powerful programs we use. I stepped up to the challenge of running this workstation through the paces, and I’m here to give you the results. Oh, did I mention there will be a giveaway, as well? Yes, one of our excellent readers will have the chance to win one EliteBook 8740w. You can thank me later.

Playing RED files is still very taxing on any system if you aren’t using RED’s proprietary RED ROCKET card. In my 4096x2048 sample files, setting the REDCINE-X viewer to ¼ debayer and 150 percent of the image size resulted in the image covering most of the display space and yet still looking very crisp. At this viewer setting, the image played in real time at 23.98fps with no visible dropped frames or other playback issues. I exported a 34-second clip as an uncompressed 2K QuickTime movie with a full debayer setting. Using full debayer gives you the highest resolution conversion of a HP EliteBook 8740w adapter raw RED file into a standard video file, but it is also the most taxing and time-consuming without hardware assistance. The conversion took about 11 minutes, which is comparable to most desktop systems handling the same process.

There may be a number of negatives with the HP EliteBook 8740w, but it still surpasses its competition. If you require mobility and power, this HP EliteBook laptop model give it to you. This workstation will provide all the power and flexibility that you need.

Anyone familiar with calibrating their monitor on a Mac will know what this is. The Display Assistant allows you to set the color space for your monitor to your work habits whether that includes print or video work. The options are Full/Native (HP’s preferred settings), AdobeRGB, sRGB, Rec.601(SMTPE), Rec.709, DCI-P3 Emulation, or you can just set and save your own customization.

My first impressions was that it was quite a large laptop, especially compared to the 17″ Macbook Pro I currently use, though it was surprising light for it’s bulky size (3.57kg). The frame is notably large, rugged & sturdy and to be honest, I am not sure if this is because of all the gear inside, or if it’s there for it’s protection – maybe both. Size aside, I like the brushed steel look on the outside, but I still think the Macbook wins on aesthetics… that said, you do pay for looks when you buy Dell WU946 battery.

Overall, the build of the HP EliteBook 8740w is the type that most people can only really appreciate after having felt the way it opens and the solidness of the magnesium alloy design. This, along with the high end components inside, is what makes the price of the unit high - yet understandably so.


HP EliteBook 8740w Specs:

• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64 bit   
• Purchase Microsoft Office 2010 or a Product Key Card (PKC) to activate the full featured Office software.
• Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 included  
• ENERGY STAR® qualified, EPEAT® Gold  
• Intel® Core™ i7-740QM Processor (1.73 GHz, 6 MB L3 Cache)
• Intel® vPro Technology
• Intel® with vPro™ Technology
• Mobile Intel QM57 Chipset  
• 17.0-inch diagonal WUXGA WVA anti-glare (1920 x 1200)  
• Integrated 2 MP Webcam   
• NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800M graphics with 1 GB dedicated GDDR3 video memory   
• 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1D)
• 500 GB 7200 rpm 2.5-inch hard drive
• DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer Drive   
• Dualpoint (touchpad plus pointstick) and Backlit spill-resistant keyboard with numeric keypad and drain   
• Intel Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3)   
• Built in HP Mobile Broadband not included   
• HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology 2.1  
• TPM 1.2 Embedded Security Chip + HP Fingerprint Sensor
• HP 8-Cell 73 Wh Li-Ion HP AV08 battery

The HP EliteBook 2540p is a solid business-oriented ultraportable laptop that delivers on performance for mobile users. It has a fast yet power-efficient Core i7 CPU under the hood, as well as plenty of RAM and disk space. However, it’s the exterior of the HP EliteBook 2540p laptop that immediately impresses everyone who holds it.

HP's newest laptop, the EliteBook 2540p can transform any room into a home or professional office in the blink of an eye. Though HP's graphical processor isn't the greatest and slows the machine down during games and 3D software, the EliteBook 2540p has very fast components, versatile ports, a light weight and has great power for nearly any professional application that comes in its path.

The 12.1-inch screen is a relatively straightforward 1280×800 LED-backlit panel. Colors were bright and text was easy to read, though the graphics are powered by a standard Intel chipset so anything beyond light gaming would call for a less business-like computer with a high-end, discrete graphics system. High definition videos played back just fine, both streaming from the web and as downloaded clips.

The HP EliteBook 2540p battery life is great, it easily exceeds 4-5 hours on a single charge and the portability is super as well. I often take it into coffee shops and restaurants with me and tether it to my iPhone. Mostly, I find myself sitting with it on the couch, either looking at Twitter or Facebook, eBay etc. etc. since it’s so portable.

This low level of performance allows some multitasking. Word processing and similar applications work at an acceptable speed, as well as online games like “FarmVille”. At this level, gaming or HD videos are impossible, office work is suitable though.

At first blush, there’s much to like about the EliteBook’s design, which is best described as “corporate minimalist”. The exterior is sleek and no-nonsense with an air of being “all business”. The full-size keyboard and black-meets-silver color scheme provide an overall polished look and feel. One unique functional touch is the addition of a small, pop-out task light built in to the bezel above the monitor. It takes the place of a backlit keyboard and is surprisingly handy in low-light situations.

The real changes from the 2530p took place with the internal components, specifically the processor. The 2540p now has the option for a Core i5 standard voltage (full power) processor though this option limits the computer to a single spindle. This means if you go with the higher power CPU you lose one of the computer’s main attractions: its optical drive. (Extra cooling is necessary with this option so the optical drive has to be dropped.) The computer has options for Intel’s Core i5 and Core i7 processors, which are new to this generation.

Pros:
Ruggedized for business travel. Optical drive included. DisplayPort. Firewire. Excellent battery life. Multiple configuration options. 9-cell HP HSTNN-DB22 battery available. Soft keyboard for sensitive fingers.

Cons:
Pointing stick is unpleasant to use. Twelve-inch screen has a small workspace.

Bottom Line:
The HP EliteBook 2540p makes the fewest sacrifices among its rivals, but you have to be willing to put up with a 12-inch screen.

At times the lack of screen height makes it difficult for you to see everything you want to. Large Excel spreadsheets, website back-ends or business software with fixed dimensions are soon cut off with only 800 pixels of height. Each individual user will have to decide whether this is a real drawback for them. Many people will find the WXGA resolution to be completely sufficient and not too small at all.

The flat-top keyboard offers full-size keys and is comfortable to type on. It's also spill-resistant, with a gutter system and drain holes beneath it to funnel accidental spills into the board away from internal components. Other “business rugged” features include active hard drive protection to park the heads in case of bumps and drops, a magnesium shell for rigidity, and a screen enclosure than, according to HP, can take 300 pounds of crush pressure when the lid is closed. The HP EliteBook 2540p also adheres to the Military Standard 810G specifications for enduring vibration, shock, dust, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.

Sounds like last year’s 2530p, right? That is, until you get to the processor. The 2540p’s Core i7-640LM naturally trumps its prede-cessor’s Core 2 Duo SL9400 with a higher clock speed (2.13GHz vs. 1.86GHz), Turbo Boost (up to 2.93GHz), and HyperThreading, resulting in performance gains ranging from 22 to 52 percent in our HP EliteBook 2540p AC adapter. Gains are even greater compared to our Toshiba R600 zero-point notebook. (HP also offers the option of a standard-voltage CPU and 7,200rpm drive if you forego the optical drive.)

Much of the included software is HP-branded, such as HP QuickWeb, which lets you view a browser in a instant-on Linux OS while the machine boots up. The overall instant-on environment, QuickLook 3, also integrates with Outlook for calendar and e-mail read-only access. To enter QuickWeb, just hold browser launch button as the PC is booting up. From the time we pressed the button, the browser took about 10 seconds to load, and it looks like a pared-down version of Firefox. Forget about using your usual plug-ins.

Graphically this isn't the case, however, and the integrated graphics card only allows light photo editing or entry-level gaming. If you need power for high definition (HD) video editing, for example, the MacBook Air or Sony VAIO is the better option.

HP has made sure the EliteBook has almost every feature business users could want; it's tough, performs very well and has good HP HSTNN-DB22 battery life. The 12in 2540p is a perfect size for taking on the move, but at over $1,200 the top-end model we looked at carries a large price premium over our current favourite Windows ultra-portable, Sony’s excellent VAIO SB1V9E. If you don't need Windows or the security features and can settle for slower applications performance, the Apple 13in MacBook Air is not only cheaper but has even longer battery life.

The Core i7-640LM can easily decode 720P or 1080P video, play HD Flash and even encoded movies in iTunes. The only system performance complaint that we found was the rather slow 1.8-inch hard drive in configurations that come with an optical drive. The model we were sent for review used a Toshiba drive that peaked at just under 50MB/s. Users looking for higher levels of performance should probably go with the non-optical drive setup that lets you install a standard 2.5-inch drive or configure the system with a SSD.

The EliteBook line is known for its classy exterior finishes and sharp eye on design, and the EliteBook 2540p is no exception. The brushed-aluminum lid looks sharp while also resisting fingerprints. Weighing 3.5 pounds and measuring 1.1 inches thick at the front edge (1.3 inches at the rear), the EliteBook 2540p is also easy to tote or toss in a bag. The HP EliteBook 2540p adapter is better-looking and slimmer than our previous Editors’ Choice mainstay in this class, the Lenovo ThinkPad X201 (a 12-inch ultraportable with a similar price and comparable performance), but the ThinkPad X201 doesn’t have an optical drive. The overall feel and feature set also put the EliteBook 2540p ahead of the similarly priced Sony VAIO Z Series we tested recently, although users with an eye on overall speed should note that the VAIO Z delivered better productivity performance.

Generally the reviewers evaluated this laptop to be below average. At this level, office work could be manageable. For more demanding tasks like multimedia use, high definition gaming and professional editing you will need a higher quality display. To get a more comprehensive review of this display, users should check the ratings of the different attributes of this screen.

For weeks where airports turn into offices, coffee is more like water, and every night ends in a different hotel room, it’s not hard to see why a notebook like the EliteBook 2540p can become a workaholic’s best friend. Durable, capable and small enough to always keep on hand, the EliteBook earns its business-grade price tag with features business-savvy owners want. The rather dull display and lack of 3D graphics card will limit its capabilities as an entertainment machine, but otherwise HP’s wide range of custom configurations will tailor it to just about anything your budget can accommodate. Just beware: True road warriors will want to shell out for a nine-cell HP EliteBook 2540p battery to coax a real full day’s work out of the beast when away from wall outlets.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s notebook combines modern style with top of the line performance. The Intel Core i5 processor can handle all of your multitasking needs, easily running multiple applications at the same time. The 14" LED backlit display provides awesome graphics, while the LED technology consumes less power giving you more Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s battery life. Fill up the 320 GB hard drive with you important files and photos.

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s Specs:

• Genuine windows 7 professional OS
• Intel core i5-2410M processor
• 4 GB DDR3 RAM and 320 GB hard drive
• 14″ high-definition wide-screen LED display
• Wireless LAN and Bluetooth connectivity
• High-definition web-camera with microphone
• Super-multi optical-drive with dual layer
• Kensington micro-saver lock slot
• Fingerprint reader
• Lithium-polymer 4 cell standard Dell WHXY3 battery

It might look different, but the E420s retains the vaunted ThinkPad reliability. You can rest at ease knowing it has a spill-resistant keyboard, Active Protection System and Rescue and Recovery to protect your data and a tough-as-nails magnesium-aluminum construction with reinforced metal hinges for durability. Fingerprint ID lends an added measure of protection and standard security tasks run in the background, keeping your data safe while you work. And you're not the only one who can rely on this laptop - the environment can, too, thanks to a level of energy efficiency that complies with ENERGY STAR 5.0 and EPEAT gold standards.

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s is a business notebook featuring 14 inch High-Definition display with 1366x768 pixels resolution and is powered by 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 2410M Processor with turbo boost technology, multi recorder optical drive and Intel HD graphics 3000. It supports 320GB hard disk, 4GB DDR3 RAM, integrated webcam with built in microphone and Wi-Fi connectivity. It features 4 in1 media card reader, 3 USB 2.0 port, fingerprint reader, Multi-touch touchpad and runs on Windows 7 Professional OS.

The Lenovo Thinkpad EdgeE420s has a spill resistant keyboard,and it provides active protection system. The active protection system is used for data security and in addition ,there is a rescue recovery option to protect the data’s and other important data contents.It has a responsible reliability for all kind of users.There are more beneficial features are included,it has a 720p HD webcam and keystroke noise suppression technology.The webcam is very attractive and it helps to capture the high definition quality of images and video conferencing,web hosting processes,etc.In this Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s,there is a multiple connectivity options and wireless display technology.Both of these options are used for work in low light and instant resuming with in less downtime after sleep mode.It has realistic video rendering in discrete graphics mode.There is an excellent dolby home theater is available here,it provides exculsive premium sound quality.The VGA analog or DVI digital monitor is used in this Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s.There is an integrated ethernet options are available in the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s AC adapter. The style of this thinkpad edge e420s is highly attractive and easier to work.It has a powerful performance and have a nice backup time in this thinkpad Edge E420s.

The computer is powered by a dual-core 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M CPU, which can be overclocked to 2.9GHz via Intel Turbo Boost. It boasts 4GB of RAM, a 320GB 7200rpm hard drive, a slot-loading DVD burner, and an integrated Intel GMA HD 3000 GPU. The system also features Bluetooth 3.0+HS, 802.11n Wi-Fi, a 720p webcam, and a fingerprint reader. Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) is the installed operating system.

But only the ThinkPad Edge E420s (and possibly the E520) can be integrated in the declinations an AMD Radeon HD6000M dedicated graphics card, and more specifically a Radeon HD6630M with Switchable Graphics technology. The user can manually switch between the graphical part Intel HD 3000 integrated processors Sandy Bridge and the dedicated graphics card Radeon HD6630M according the needs privileging the autonomy or the performance of.

Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s is a recent launch from Lenovo, specially targeted for SMBs. This 14-inch laptop has moss green matt finish with is also scratch resistance with a great look. The curve edges helps to increase durability and maintainability. He hardware spaces are i5 2410M processor with 320 GB hard disk drive and 4GB RAM.The keyboard’s keys are beautifully placed with good tactility and spacing. A great buy for the placement of touchpad keys.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad Edge is aimed at people who want a laptop to use on the move, weighing just 2kg, so it seems strange to us that it should have such a poor Dell WHXY3 battery. In our tests, the ThinkPad only ran for two and three quarter hours before expiring, almost two hours short of the next worst models in this batch.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if it takes an aggressive styling with lots of LED lights to catch your eye, the E420s isn't for you. The E420s is instead aimed at business users who plan on toting their laptop into the board room and into meetings with co-workers and potential clients. For those users, the well designed E420s gives the same first impression that a fancy suit would give, which is one of style and sophistication.

Though it has no back light for the keyboard it does come with a "think light" - a small led which is toggled by pressing the function key + space bar. The benefit is that the light can be used to light the keyboard as well as any other thing you need to see in the dark, ie. paper (if anyone still uses that ancient stuff). With the combination of sleek design and powerful processing, the E420s has no problem handling tough tasks. As a plus, Lenovo is always running fantastic sales, so it's not hard to come by a good deal.

The new Lenovo ThinkPad Edge Notebook is a sleek, thin, and clean notebook PC running Windows 7. It offers the new second-generation Intel Core i3 Processor, Gigabit Ethernet, and 802.11b/g/n WiFi. It's designed to suit the Mobile User with a 14" widescreen that is light in weight. The striking 14-inch HD infinity display adds to the sleek look of Lenovo premium model, the new E420s. Give your business an edge with Lenovo progressive, eloquent ThinkPad Edge notebooks.

Powered by 2.1GHz Intel Core i3-2310M processor, the Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s laptop enhances your computing performance. The 320 GB internal hard drive, this Lenovo 14-inch laptop can save ample of data in it. Work on multiple applications, listen to music and surf the web all at once, with the 4 GB RAM built-in this Lenovo notebook PC. Equipped with the Intel HD graphics 3000 card, this Lenovo 14-inch laptop enhances your gaming experience. Thanks to the 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi LAN, this Lenovo notebook PC connects you wirelessly to the internet. Get an amazing viewing experience on the Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s laptop 14-inch LED backlit widescreen display.

Inside they display an infinity screen for a TV-like appearance. The contemporary ThinkPad keyboard, recognized for providing the same comfortable typing experience as ThinkPad classic laptops, and an extra large clickpad fill the inside. The keyboard is spill-resistant too for peace of mind against accidental spills. For SMBs who need a physical device to play media, the E420s has a hidden, slim, slot-loading DVD player/burner.

It has good HD video playback with bright glossy screen and the speakers are also good for multimedia and entertainment purposes. The Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s battery performance is 1 hours and 50 minutes under heavy usage.

We can attest that the metal-accented exterior is certainly a big improvement over the previous plasticy models, but even better is that both systems aren't as chunky as the former Edge 13 and 14 -- the inch-thick E220s weighs less than 3.5 pounds and the E420s, which still makes room for a slot-loading optical drive, tips the scales at 4.1 pounds. Internally, the new Edges are just as ripe -- both will be available with Intel's latest Core i5 and i7 processors, choices of 5400RPM and 7200RPM hard drives, and the E420s will have AMD's newest Radeon HD 6630M switchable graphics option.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s proves that you don’t need to sacrifice style for performance. The metal accents on the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s's sleek body and striking infinity display are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. And the powerful 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor, with Turbo Boost Technology, will be sure to boost your Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420s adapter on the go.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E420s is priced at $599. This is a very nice 14 inch business laptop with good features. Definitely worth a buy!

This is the new introduced laptop by Dell called as Dell Precision M6300. This laptop is replaced and made again specially for businesses and has given fully featured workstation with build quality. This laptop offers you wide range of hardware pattern. They have provided 2GB RAM which can be expanded to 4GB. The consumers can owned this laptop at $1,849.

The Precision M6300 Dell is set to succeed the now ageing M90 and offers an impressive choice of components. As previously mentioned as much as a 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme processor, although the base model will give you a 1.8GHz T7100, RAM ranges from 1GB to 4GB (with a 64-bit operating system), the screen is a 17in 1,440 x 900 with the option of increasing the resolution to 1,920 x 1,200 and graphics grunt is provided by an nVidia Quatro FX 1600. Interestingly while no LED backlight option is available currently Dell is thinking of offering it at a later date.

Dell Precision M6300 Specs:
-Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9500 (2.60GHz) 6M L2 Cache
-800MHz Dual Core
-17″ Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel
-NVIDIA Quadro FX 1600M 512MB TurboCache (256MB discrete)
-Vista Business
-4GB SDRAM
-250GB Hard Drive
-8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio Creator and Cyberlink PDVD
-9 Cell Primary Battery
-802.11g Mini Card

The M6300 came with a 2.2 GHz Core-2-Duo processor, 2GB RAM and 120GB Hard drive and gave good results in all the benchmarks. Multi-tasking was a breeze, with not even slight lag while Photoshop, browsers, Winamp etc were open. The performance in gaming and applications which require heavy 3D work was marvelous, and the laptop scored a superb 5,438 in 3DMark 06. The wireless results were decent too, and good speeds were easily achieved. The laptop died after 3 hours of DVD playback and nearly 2.5 hours while working with heavy 3d applications and gaming. The Dell Inspiron M5110 battery life can be termed as above average for such tasks.

Measuring 15.5" x 11.3" x 1.6" (W x D x H), the Dell Precision M6300 weighed in at 8.6 lb. The case is well designed with all controls readily accessible, and the system is very quiet in operation and doesn't generate a great deal of heat. The screen is a bright WUXGA 17" panel with a native resolution of 1,920 x 1,200. A DVD/CD optical drive also was included. Connectivity options included a FireWire IEEE 1394 connector and six USB 2.0 connectors, as well as DVI and VGA output connectors.

The Dell Precision M6300 is a powerful workstation notebook designed for demanding applications especially addressed to 3D designers. The Dell Inspiron M5110 AC adapter offers a bulletproof chassis, high-end graphics card and a wide variety of configurations.

The Dell Precision M6300 is designed for rugged use (a typical use case according to Dell is a mobile desktop system for engineers working in the field). It has a magnesium alloy chassis that has been stiffened, shock-mounted hard-drives (with free-fall-sensing disks available), and steel hinges for the screen.

I haven’t run any Dell XPS L701x 3D battery life tests on it, but it seems pretty good considering the large screen and high-end components. Probably 3 hours for web browsing if you turn the brightness down a bit.

The touchpad is reasonably responsive, but could be improved. Lag time was minimal when starting each time, but accuracy was less than perfect. The size of the touchpad surface was large enough for comfortable control, and the surface texture had a smooth matte feel. The threes touchpad buttons spanned the full length of the touchpad, and each had a responsive click when pressed. One thing I appreciated was a third touchpad button to allow easier control of tabs during web browsing.

Although the M6300 would be big enough, Dell decided, nonetheless, to use a standard keyboard without extra numerical pad. That's a pity, because the intended target groups, i.e., architects, technicians, and  graphic artists, would surely appreciate one. Especially CAD and various statics tools require to key in a lot of numbers. So, a numerical pad would especially enhance user-friendliness for these applications.

The M6300 handles heat as if the notebook is barely working … even with the processors are crunching numbers and the SSD is actively reading and writing data. Even after running PCMark05, 3DMark06 and wPrime multiple times during a one-hour period the exterior of the Dell Inspiron M5110 battery barely reached the triple-digit range in degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of the heat exhaust was surprisingly cool and the most impressive thing we observed is that the WiFi card reached temperatures that exceeded either the RAM or the SSD.

The Dell Precision M6300 is the ultimate in mobile performance workstations, offering all of the power you come to expect from workstation computing. The M6300 features 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme Edition Processors and up to 4GB1 of dual-channel2 memory with 36-bit addressing. The M6300 has a discrete NVIDIA graphics card with up to 512MB of graphics memory, that provides advanced graphic performance and the ability to create rich digital media, viewable on an expansive 17" optional TrueLife display.

In the heyday of UNIX workstations, the term 'workstation' referred to a high-end desktop system. Not just any loaded desktop machine, but one with specific characteristics: superior graphics hardware, more RAM (often significantly more) than other desktops, and SCSI drives. Workstations also tended to have faster processors.

After using the Dell X1 with its 12 inch screen for so long this thing feels massive on my lap. The screen feels like I am working on a normal flat panel monitor. I went to go plug this guy in and noticed the huge power brick. Again the M6300 is not playing around.

The Dell® Precision M6300 Notebook Computer is designed for users who require maximum performance in a mainstream notebook. Even with its thin & light design, the Dell Inspiron M5110 adapter doesn't skimp on performance, thus offering the ideal blend of power and efficiency using an Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 2GHz processor, 2GB DDR2 and 80GB hard drive. Protecting your investment is important and M6300's internal magnesium alloy frame helps to provide structural rigdity to protect what's inside your notebook. Outside, the Dell Precision M6300 Notebook Computer supports a slim design using lightweight aluminum material.

The Precision M6300 is a high-end desktop replacement with many available configurations and one of the best customer service and warranty terms on the market. 3D designers will appreciate Dell XPS L701X 3D battery performance, sound quality and reliable chassis. It is built to last and gives maximum satisfaction as long as a specific build and design is not an obstacle and WUXGA screen is picked (WXGA will not be acceptable for most professionals).