I believe you are correct TJ. Since most laptops only have one port that can be used, which Windows reports as having 2 displays as you mentioned (integrated and external). This system allows for an extra display prior to docking - two external plus the internal.
I took the 3 without docking to mean there were 2 display ports on the side or back of the unit (plus the laptop display to make 3), and that the docking port would provide an additional 2 for five total.
I think the "3 displays without docking" is a feature for those of us (me included) that constantly take the laptop between home and office.. It is very very nice not to have to deal with display cables or docking station. I don't think it was intended to eliminate ALL wires (power) when at a desk with 3 monitors.
Ya gotta charge it at some point!
What isn't clear ..
- impact on performance of the displays when operating wirelessly.
- wireless displays that support it (most have resolution limitations of 1920x1080)
The all-day battery was a surprise to me as well. I didn't realize we had reached that capability in laptops. As someone who has spent the last 15 years, looking always for electrical outlets in airports, this is good news.
Chuck: I didn't come across any specific details on battery chemistry in covering this workstation nor did Dell play up any new developments which leads me to believe there is nothing really out of the ordinary here otherwise they would have highlighted it.
That said, here's a small bit from their release materials about what they're doing to achieve all-day battery life:
"An optional slice battery, ExpressCharge battery and NVIDIA Optimus™ technology, which intelligently and automatically optimizes the system to provide outstanding graphics performance when needed while extending battery life, are also available on both the M4700 and M6700."
TJ, the heat dissapation is becoming less and less of an issue as the components become more efficient. I recently saw another laptop (sans 3D) that had many of the features found in these Dell units. It seems to run cooler and runs all day. This is attributable to the Gen 3 peocessors and graphics chips. They use lots less power thanks to their funer line width lithography.
It is pretty crazy how much horsepower hardware makers (not just Dell) are packing into mobile workstation platforms. The heat dissappation question is a good one. I sit forever with a Macbook perched on my lap and I have to admit, it gets hot. And it's no near as powerful as this puppy!
The price seems terrific for the hardware described, but my work has no need of 3D.
Time to sell some projects that do, I suppose.
These beasts can run 3 monitors when not docked. Undocked also tends to imply unplugged, so one wonders how much battery Dell can get out of a laptop package.
"All day battery life" with no stats from Dell to back it up is a little hard to believe. Dell has never been a leader in long battery life laptops.
Heat dissipation will be another area to watch for these. Just how hot a lap will I get when using this laptop?
UK-based Plastic Logic and French company ISORG have created what the pair tout as a first in flexible printed electronics: a large area, conformable, organic image sensor printed on plastic.
For 3D printing to make the jump from rapid prototyping to manufacturing, engineers will need to find easier ways to move products from their CAD screens to their printers.
Gigabit and PoE are two networking technologies moving ahead in tandem as industrial users power remote Ethernet devices such as IP security cameras at 1,000 Mbps over existing CAT5 cable.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 5
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For industrial control applications, or even a simple assembly line, that machine can go almost 24/7 without a break. But what happens when the task is a little more complex? That’s where the “smart” machine would come in. The smart machine is one that has some simple (or complex in some cases) processing capability to be able to adapt to changing conditions. Such machines are suited for a host of applications, including automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, computers and electronics, telecommunications, consumer goods, and so on. This radio show will show what’s possible with smart machines, and what tradeoffs need to be made to implement such a solution.
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