Dell Precision M4300 Mobile Workstation Unveiled

Dell Precision M4300, the new notebook in company’s mobile workstation lineup, has been unveiled today. The 15.4-inch M4300 features Intel “Santa Rosa” notebook PC platform and NVIDIA’s Quadro FX graphics solution.

The Precision M4300, a successor of the Precision M65 model, is offered with Core 2 Duo T7100, T7300, T7500, and T7700 processor and a discrete Quadro FX 360M 256MB video card designed for graphically-demanding applications like 3D modeling and video-editing. This graphics card manages the 15.4″ widescreen display, which is offered in three versions: WUXGA UltraSharp (200 nits) with 1920×1200 resolution, WSXGA+ UltraSharp TrueLife (200 nits) with 1680×1050, or WXGA (220 nits) with 1280×800 resolution.

The notebook supports up to 4GB of DDR2 memory. However, for utilization of more than 3GB of RAM, a 64-bit operating system is a must. The Precision M4300 comes with up to 160GB SATA hard drive at 7200rpm or with up to 32GB solid state drive. This system has module bay, which can be populated with an optical drive, a secondary HDD, a secondary battery, or left empty. The PC maker also offers the 1GB Intel Turbo Memory option with this laptop.

Regarding connectivity, Dell Precision M4300, has a wireless LAN with optional support for the 802.11n draft WiFi standard, a Gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem, and provides a variety of EVDO and HSDPA broadband wireless choices. Additionally, it has an optional Bluetooth.

The M4300 mobile workstation has both PC Card and ExpressCard slots, as well as three standard USB ports, a powered USB port for D/Bay external modular bay, a Firewire, VGA and S-Video outputs, a Serial port, and a docking connector.

For enhanced security, the laptop features integrated Smart Card reader, Trusted Platform Module 1.2 and optional fingerprint reader. There is also Wave Embassy Trust Suite security software.

Dell’s new Precision notebook starts at $2,034 and comes with Windows Vista or Windows XP Professional operating systems, both in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

The product pages do not provide the information on M4300’s weight. The previous M65 model starts at 6.2 lbs.

Dell Notebooks

Can I order it explicitly WITHOUT TPM, or can I remove the TPM module? Does it come with Linux installed?

[…] Along with a Precision M4300 mobile workstation, Dell Inc. has officially unveiled the Latitude D430 ultraportable notebook. The first D430 models are not built on the latest Intel “Santa Rosa” notebook platform. Instead, they feature older “Napa” platform, introduced in January 2006. […]

Does the Precision M4300 look exactly the same as the Precision M65? If not what are the differences?

@Jarryd, yes, it looks exactly the same aside from the actual model number being different, and some of the ports are shifted around to make room for the s-video port. (The same ports are on the back, but not necessarily in the same exact spot, they may be a few inches over).

@void, You can order it without the security package, but I believe the tpm itself is simply part of the board. No, no linux option yet for this model (not even redhat)

Michael

Is it possible to buy a Precision M4300 as a privat person, or are these only available for companies?

Johan, just tell them you’re a company. They don’t care.

I just got my 4300 this week. Shipped two weeks earlier than they promised, which was less than two full weeks after I ordered.

Quick review: Keyboard has a solid IBM feel. Lots of ports. Haven’t done any intensive apps yet, so I can’t say how fast the 7300 processor is. I ordered the machine with Win XP, so it should be screamingly fast, esp with 2 gig of memory.

One noticeable issue: the internal speakers are really tinny, quite poor actually, especially when compared to the Inspiron 8600 which this is replacing for me.

On the positive side, you can use the mic input jack as a line-level input, which was not possible on the 8600.

Would you say that the chassy is less resistent then the Latitude D830 one? Have you idea about what are the differences between these two models if configured with same processor-HD-ram-screen?

I typed a very detailed response but it got lost somehow. To make it short, they are exactly the same laptop, no difference AT ALL. Even the GPU chip inside have the same part numbers if you open it up.

Is this a heavy laptop?

[…] Along with the older 65nm Core 2 Duos, the 14.1-inch M2300, 15.4-inch M4300, and 17-inch M6300 are now available with the T8100, T8300, T9300, and T9500 45nm CPUs, clocked at 2.1GHz, 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz, and 2.6GHz respectively. The new chips have the same prices as their corresponding precursors. According to the product pages, the Precision M6300 notebook will be also available with the Core 2 Extreme X9000 “Penryn” at 2.8GHz. […]

I cant find any gallery on Dell.com and nither on web any detailed Pics how could i see it? is it like latitude in design?

[…] The mobile workstation, which replaces the M4300, enables a choice of various 802.11 wireless modules and a Gigabit Ethernet LAN port, as well as optional 56k modem, mobile broadband connection, and Bluetooth. […]

I’ve had the Dell 4300 for a little bit over a year, and it has been the worst Laptop I have ever owned. One problem after the next and it is like pulling teeth to get Dell to fix it. I’ve spent more time using my old Dell XPS M140 than this new Precision 4300.

[…] The PC maker also offers the 15.4-inch Precision M4300 and 17-inch Precision M6300 mobile workstations. […]