Dell Releases Monster Laptop

Dell has released its new Precision M6400 mobile workstation featuring a 17-inch display, Intel quad-core processor and 16 GB of memory.

Dell’s powerful Precision M6400 was released on Wednesday, offering powerful workstation performance in a 17-inch notebook. The M6400 is more of a mobile workstation than a notebook really, especially considering the weight of the system, which starts at “just” 8.54-pounds. The first thing one might notice about the M6400 though is the display, which features 17-inches of LED back-lit 1920x1200 goodness, with edge to edge glass and full Adobe color gamut support. Such a beautiful display needs a powerful system to match of course and Dell made sure the M6400 is no slouch.

The M6400 is available in a configuration that features Intel’s Core 2 Quad QX9300 Extreme Edition processor, with a 2.53 GHz clock-speed, 12 MB L2 Cache and 1066 MHz FSB. The system can be configured with up to 16 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory, although a 64-bit operating system is needed for that option. Two internal disk drive bays are available for up to 1 TB of storage configurable in RAID, although SSD drive options are also available. Lastly, no workstation would be complete without a discrete graphics solution; the M6400 offers up to 1 GB of dedicated graphics memory by means of a Nvidia Quadro FX 3700M.

Other highlights of the M6400 include optional fingerprint reader, webcam with dual microphones, support for dual 30-inch monitors, built-in mobile broadband with GPS, Bluetooth, 802.11a/n, a slot-loaded DVD drive, UWB and a jog shuttle. The included AC adapter is rated for 210 W, hinting at the fact the included 9-cell 85 WHr battery will have its work cut out for it. The chassis of the M6400 is made of anodized aluminum and the thickness of the M6400 ranges from 1.35-inches to 1.5-inches.

Pricing for the Dell Precision M6400 starts at $2,299, which comes configured with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor, 1 GB of DDR3 memory, an 80 GB HDD, a Nvidia Quadro FX 2700M with 512 MB and a 17-inch WXGA+ basic display. A full-fledged configuration starts at over $5,000.

  • Pei-chen
    $700 to $1000 cheaper than Lenovo's goodies.
    Reply
  • sdcaliceli
    now that is the mobile workstation i have been waiting for. all at a great price!
    Reply
  • wavebossa
    I would agree with you sdcaliceli, but it might not be as mobile as one would think. The specs are incredible, but I have to ask, How long will it last without being hooked up to a wall? That kind of power comes at a high energy premium.
    Reply
  • one-shot
    It's portable, is that worth the extra premium versus a similar desktop workstation? I feel sorry for the battery too.
    Reply
  • jaragon13
    one-shotIt's portable, is that worth the extra premium versus a similar desktop workstation? I feel sorry for the battery too.Not really,no.

    I've never seen anyone use a portable "workstation";laugh when they have a full tower with a grand(possible more) of graphics/CPU power in it..
    Reply
  • unusedprogram46
    Max config is a little over $10,000. Thats a laptop right there. You can get a second 9-cell but I'm wondering about that battery life as well. It would certainly save a lot of desk space...
    Reply
  • ryanaxiom
    Just went to the Dell site, there is no option in the configuration of the M6400 for more than 4 GB of memory. Otherwise, quite a laptop!
    Reply
  • As an electrical engineer, I currently have a Precision M90, one of the predecessors to the M6400. Even with Core 2 T7200, 2GB RAM and a Quadro FX2500M, the battery lasts at least an hour and a half when only surfing on the internet or using Office products. It is truly a workstation, though. It will run Pro/E without any problems and no noticeable difference from the Precision 690 workstation tower that I had before. The real b!tch is actually carrying the thing around. It's heavy!
    Reply
  • The system will take 16gb of RAM if you configure it with a 64 bit OS. Just did it.
    Reply
  • jacke
    Yes, Dell set new level to business notebooks as Latitude E-series. Now it offers something portable to people who is used to run several virtual desktops to test software etc.

    Jack, http://shop.it.ee/
    Reply