d3d mobile workstation buyers guide

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Try and run 3D CAD software on a consumer laptop and youll most likely have a disappointing experience. Mobile workstations, on the other hand, are purpose built for 3D CAD.

They offer the same workstation-class technologies youd expect to find in desktop counterparts and many are tested and certified to run a whole range of CAD applications. Whether youre looking for a workstation-class ultrabook or a desktop replacement here are some of the most important things to consider for CAD on the go.

MobiliTyMobile workstations, by their definition, should be mobile, but finding the right balance between performance, screen size and portability can be hard.

Machines typically come in two sizes, governed by the size of the display. 15-inch models weigh

anywhere between 2.5kg and 3.0kg, while 17-inch models range from 3.5kg to 4.0kg.

The laptop itself is one thing but you also need to take the power adapter into account. These are much larger for mobile workstations than they are for standard laptops due to the power hungry GPUs. Complete with cables, adapters typically weigh 0.7kg for a 15-inch machine and 1kg for a 17-inch machine. This not only adds to the overall weight, but can also make it hard to pack everything into a laptop bag.

17-inch models, often called desktop replacements, might be fine for the back seat of the car, but can be hernia-inducing if you take one on an overseas trip. 15-inch machines offer slightly better portability, but are still not much fun to carry around for the day.

For those who like to travel light theres a new class of ultra portable mobile workstations. Thin and light, weighing between 1.6kg and 1.9kg, they are available with 14-inch and 15-inch screens.

DisplayHD (1,920 x 1,080 resolution) used to be a luxury but is now becoming quite common on 14-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch mobile workstations. 1,600 x 900 resolution is also available, as is 1,366 x 768 on some 14-inch and 15-inch models.

Of course, theres also a growing trend in ultra high-resolution displays, typically found on 15-inch models. The two common resolutions here are QHD+ (3,200 x 1,880) and 2,880 x 1,620.

Higher resolution displays are stunning and deliver exceptionally fine line detail, which is great for CAD. However, there are downsides.

Icons, menus, dialogue boxes and general text can be hard to read, even with Windows settings ramped up. 3D performance can also take a significant hit. At a resolution of 3,200 x 1,880 there are three times as many pixels to push around compared to standard HD (1,920 x 1,080). This puts a much

Mobile workstations for CaD: a buyers guide From ultrabook to desktop replacement, theres a mobile workstation for every designer and engineer. DEVElop3D.CoM delves deep into the CAD-class laptop

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bigger load on the GPU. The drop in performance will depend on the application, dataset and viewing mode but can be as much as 30%.

In terms of image quality, there can be a lot of difference. IPS displays generally offer better colour reproduction and better viewing angles than standard TN displays. You may also have a personal preference for a glossy or matte finish.

Screens with a higher colour gamut are able to display more colours from a specified range. This can be very useful for colour-critical design, but you will need to calibrate your screen with a separate piece of hardware. The Lenovo ThinkPad W540 is the exception as it has an X-Rite colour calibrator built in.

proCEssorMobile workstations come with dedicated mobile Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors. Two or four CPU cores are standard, with four more suited to accelerating multi-threaded simulation and rendering applications. Clock speeds are essential for CAD and range from 2.1GHz (with 3.3GHz Turbo Boost) to 2.9GHz (with 3.9GHz Turbo Boost).

Intel Turbo Boost works by increasing the processors frequency whenever you need it, as long as there is thermal and power headroom.

Power saving is also important and when running off the mobile workstations battery Intel SpeedStep technology switches both voltage and frequency down to conserve power.

The level by which the processor slows down varies between different mobile workstation manufacturers. It can be as little as 5% or as much as 75%! Throttling the processor is great if you want to prolong battery power but not so good if you want to run your CAD program at full speed.

Some mobile workstation manufacturers, including Dell and Lenovo, allow you to switch off Intel SpeedStep so the CPU is not throttled when running on battery power. However, this can only be done in the BIOS and not inside Windows, so its a bit of a pain. Other manufacturers, including Scan, Workstation Specialists and Schenker, dont give you this option so your processor is always throttled when your machine is not plugged in.

GraphiCs For professional 3D CAD there are only really two serious graphics options - Nvidia Quadro or AMD FirePro. Mobile workstations also include Intel graphics and can automatically switch between the two to extend battery life when not using 3D CAD applications that demand 3D performance.

To conserve battery life GPUs can be automatically throttled or GPU cores switched off. The amount by which the GPU slows down varies between mobile

workstation manufacturers. GPUs run at full power when the machine is plugged into the mains.

Nvidia has the lions share of the mobile workstation market and offers a massive choice seven options in total ranging from the Quadro K510M (1GB GDDR5) for 2D and entry-level 3D CAD right up to the high-end Quadro K5100M (8GB GDDR5) for high-end 3D visualisation.

With 3D performance approaching that of the desktop cards power comes into play. The low-end Quadro GPUs consume up to 30W while the high-end Quadro GPUs can eat through up to 100W, more than twice as much as a typical mobile Intel Core i7 CPU.

AMD concentrates on the entry-level to mid-range with the FirePro M4100, M5100 and M6100, all featuring up to 2GB GDDR5 memory. AMD does not quote max power consumption.

If you have an ultra high-res screen, such as 3,200 x 1,880 or 2,880 x 1,620, you may need to consider investing in a high-end GPU to get the right level of 3D performance. Having to render significantly more pixels puts a greater load on the GPU so it may become harder to manipulate 3D models smoothly. This is dependent on application and datasets.

MEMoryFor CAD/CAM/CAE and design visualisation, memory is king, but with a maximum of four DIMM slots you cant get the same capacities as you can with a desktop workstation.

32GB (4 x 8GB) is the maximum for most 15-inch and 17-inch models, with 16GB (2 x 8GB) all you can squeeze into an ultra mobile workstation, still a whole lot more than youll find in a standard laptop.

sToraGESolid State Drives (SSDs) are perfect for mobile workstations. Theyre fast, responsive and, because there are no moving parts, use less energy and will not break when dropped.

Whats not to like? Well, the price per GB is high and capacities peak at 500GB 1TB so traditional mechanical drives still have an important role to play in storing CAD datasets.

The good news is most mobile workstations can accommodate multiple drives, so you can mix and match technologies: a lower capacity SSD for operating system and applications and a high-capacity mechanical drive for data.

There are two main storage form factors in a mobile workstation: traditional 2.5-inch (for SSD and mechanical drives) and the smaller mSATA (51 x 30 x 0.8mm), which is just for SSDs. Some machines support the M.2 form factor, which is even smaller.

Ultra mobile workstations typically support two drives (1 x 2.5-inch + 1 x mSATA); 15-inch machines three drives (2.5-inch + 2 x mSATA) and 17-inch

four drives (2 x 2.5-inch + 2 x mSATA). Its also possible to create RAID arrays so you

can optimise your drive for speed or redundancy. For ultimate performance consider striping two drives in a RAID 0 array. However, if youre on the road a lot and theres a long time between backups, keep your data safe by mirroring two drives in a RAID 1 array. Should one drive fail then you can continue to work uninterrupted.

DVD or Blu-ray drives are common, but omitted on the ultra mobile workstations to keep down size and weight. This could be an issue if you back up data or like to watch films. But with software increasingly downloaded or even coming on USB sticks, its less of an issue instead, buy a USB DVD drive or map to another drive over the network.

KEyboarD anD MousEMobile workstations typically have two types of keyboards: standard and chiclet. Standard keys have slanted edges and sit close to each other while chiclet or island are flat and have clear space between them. Everyone has a personal preference.

Numeric keypads, which sit to the right of the main keyboard, are extremely useful for precise input for design and engineering. They are standard on 17-inch models and most 15-inch models.

TrackPads vary greatly in size and surface texture. Everyone has a personal preference but we like a large TrackPad with a smooth finish and buttons with a small but definite click. Some machines also have a Pointstick that sits in the middle of the keyboard. Many users find these hard to use, but there are definitely some fans out there.

Of course, whenever possible, we recommend you use an external mouse wired or BlueTooth.

baTTEryWith big screens and high performance CPUs and GPUs, mobile workstations can eat power, which is bad news for transatlantic flights or long commutes. If youre on the road a lot consider buying a spare battery.

Some machines offer a choice of batteries typically 6, 8 or 9 cells. Generally speaking the more cells, the longer the battery life, but batteries are also rated by Watt Hours (Wh). Other machines, like the HP ZBook 14, support a battery slice, a slimline secondary battery that clips underneath the base.

Battery life is obviously governed by what you do with your mobile workstation. Hammering both CPU and GPU when modelling in a 3D CAD package is always going to drain power more quickly than writing a Word doc. When processors heat up you also get the double whammy on battery life as fans kick in to cool everything down. Keeping fans and grilles free from fluff can help improve cooling efficiency and save power.

To help maximise battery life (and because its not always possible for the battery to deliver the same amount of power that it can when plugged into the mains) the CPU and GPU are often throttled automatically.

The way this throttling is done varies by manufacturer. For example, in the Lenovo ThinkPad W540 the CPU automatically runs at 25% speed when on battery power, though this throttling can be turned off in the BIOS.

With the Schenker W503, Scan 3XS MGW-10 and Workstation Specialists, the CPU always runs at 50% when running on battery. In the Dell Precision M6800 its 95%, but the GPU is clocked

Currently, two of the most popular processors for mobile workstations are the Intel Core i7-4700MQ (2.40GHz up to 3.40GHz) and the Intel Core i7-4800MQ (2.70GHz up to 3.70GHz) both with 4 cores and 8 threads.

The Intel Core i7-4900MQ (2.80GHz up to 3.80GHz) and Intel Core i7-4930MX Processor Extreme

Edition (3.0GHz up to 3.9GHz) are also available in some machines though expect to pay a hefty premium.

Ultra mobile workstations use low powered processors, such as the Intel Core i7 4600U (2.10GHz up to 3.30GHz) (2 cores, 4 threads), which draws a maximum of 15W compared to the 37W or 47W common

in most other mobile processors.

Keep an eye out for the new Intel Core i7 4610M (3.0GHz to 3.7GHz) (2 cores, 4 threads), Core i7 4810MQ (2.80GHz to 3.80GHz) (4 cores, 8 threads) and Core i7 4910MQ (2.90GHz to 3.90GHz) (4 cores, 8 threads). These should be making their way into mobile workstations soon.

Choosing a Mobile ProCessor

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down much more dramatically. The quality of batteries can vary greatly and,

over time, some lose their ability to hold charge faster than others. Some manufacturers exclude batteries from their warranties or reduce the term so read the small print.

Battery charge times vary which can be frustrating if youre about to embark on a long haul flight. Dell Precision mobile workstations support ExpressCharge, which allows a completely discharged battery to charge to 80% in about 1 hour, though using this feature regularly could have a negative impact on long-term battery life. HP offers something similar and its Fast Charge technology recharges batteries up to 90% within 90 minutes when the system is off.

porTsThree to five USB ports are typical, which should be plenty for most users. Some machines offer a mix of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 so learn which are which. This is particularly important when reading / writing CAD datasets to external drives where high-bandwidth USB 3.0 is a must.

Also keep an eye out for always on USB ports, which are extremely useful for charging SmartPhones and other devices when the mobile workstation is off.

Taking data transfer speeds up to a whole new level HP and Lenovo boast support for Thunderbolt definitely nice to have if you need to read / write huge datasets to external storage.

Other machines include IEEE 1394a (FireWire), which is more of a legacy standard now, and eSATA, which usually doubles as a USB port.

RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet is essential if you want to move large CAD files over the network. This is standard on most machines, but the Dell Precision M3800 uses a USB to Ethernet adapter rather than the standard RJ45 connector.

Memory card readers are standard but check out which formats are supported as these vary from machine to machine. ExpressCard slots are less common, but allow you expand your machine adding new or legacy wireless and wired standards.

WirElEssWiFi is now taken for granted on mobile workstations but most vendors offer a choice of two or three modules. Standard 802.11 a/b/g/n should be fine for mainstream use, but for moving hefty CAD files around or extending the range consider Dual Band 802.11ac.

In theory 802.11ac is two to three times quicker than 802.11n and approaches the speed of Gigabit Ethernet. However, as wireless speeds drop off over distance, and due to interference and

physical obstacles, wed always recommend a physical connection.

For CAD on the go, some manufacturers offer an optional mobile broadband module. You slip in a SIM card and then you can connect to the Internet wherever you can get a 3G or 4G signal. This is a nice feature to have but you can achieve similar results by tethering to your SmartPhone. However, built in mobile broadband can have the added benefit of being able to track your machine in case of theft.

Bluetooth is standard and useful for connecting peripherals such as keyboards, SmartPhones and mice. However, if you choose a SpaceMouse Wireless 3D mouse, which features 3Dconnexions own optimised 2.4GHz wireless technology, youll need a spare USB port to plug in the receiver.

sECuriTyWhen you have company critical information stored on your machine, security is essential. Laptop theft is prevalent and thats without giving criminals a head start by leaving your bag in the pub, airport or on the train.

Drive encryption is vital if you want to prevent unauthorised access to data. This can be done in software or hardware.

BitLocker is available in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7 or the Pro or Enterprise editions of Windows 8 and provides software-based encryption for the entire volume.

Hardware-based encryption is generally considered to be more secure and, because all of the processing is done on the disk, is less susceptible to loss of performance. This can be done with Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) and can be set at the BIOS level.

To add another level of security, smart card readers or fingerprint scanners are available on most mobile workstations.

Fingerprint sensors are usually located in front of the keyboard or between the trackpads buttons. Simply place your finger on the device to log onto Windows or to web sites. The related software automatically fills in your user name and password.

DoCKinGDocking stations are extremely useful if you frequently move your mobile workstation to and from your desk. They allow you to keep keyboard, mouse, display, Ethernet and other peripherals permanently connected to the dock meaning your dont have to mess about with cables.

The best support comes from corporate-focused mobile workstations, such as the Dell Precision M4800, HP ZBook 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad W540. A dedicated port on the underside of the machine allows you to snap on each machine to its

custom dock in seconds.The ZBook 14s docking port is on the side,

compatible with a HP UltraSlim Docking Station, while the Dell Precision M3800 connects to Dell D3000 dock via USB 3.0. Other manufacturers rely on universal USB docking stations.

sErViCinGServiceability has become a big focus in workstations over the past few years and many manufacturers are now bringing this to mobile workstation.

HP leads the market with its ZBook family, all of which feature the HP Easy Access Door so users dont have to fiddle around with tiny screws. Simply slide the catch and the back panel pops off, making it easy to upgrade or replace memory, hard drives and mini cards. Getting inside the Dell Precision M4800 or M6800 is also easy - simply remove two screws and the back panel slides off.

The Lenovo ThinkPad W540, Scan 3XS MGW-10, Workstation Specialists WS-M1760 and Schenker W503 all feature separate panels for hard drive, memory, mini cards, etc. This can be a pain and a case of trial and error if you dont know whats behind each panel. The Dell Precision M3800 needs a specialist Torx T5 screwdriver, the type you never have when you need one.

WarranTy anD supporTMost mobile workstations come with a 2 or 3 year warranty, but these can often be extended for an additional cost. Some are collect and return, others are next business day on site.

Think about how long you can afford to be without your machine. If you have to send it to a repair centre it can take days or even weeks to get it back. Check the small print as some warranties only cover screens or batteries for 12 months.

If you carry your mobile workstation all the time, consider accidental damage cover. And if you travel overseas think about how youd deal with a tech support query or hardware failure. Some warranties include Next Business Day on site service even when you are abroad. This can mean great peace of mind if youre a frequent flyer.

Fingerprint sensors might be a standard feature on mobile workstations but Fujitsu takes security up a notch offering palm vein pattern recognition technology on its new Celsius H730 mobile workstation.

Simply hovver your hand over the sensor and it authenticates it due to the unique pattern of the

veins in the palm. Fujitsu claims it is more

reliable and more secure than fingerprint sensors and blood has to be flowing in the hand so theres no scope for a gruesome Tarantino plotline ending in the loss of your firms valuable IP.

Look out for a full review of the Celsius H730 in the April edition of DEVELOP3D

giMMe Five PalM vein authentiCation

msata is a compact alternative to the traditional 2.5-inch hard drive. Primarily designed for storage in highly mobile devices, these tiny cards are also having a major impact in mobile workstations

Measuring a mere 51 x 30 x 0.8mm,

machines that previously were restricted to a single hard drive can now support two or three. The drives are very easy to fit: simply remove the laptops rear panel and secure with two screws.

mSATA SSDs are typically seen in mobile workstations in 128GB or 256GB capacities, delivering fast storage for OS

and applications. However, Samsungs recently released 840 EVO mSATA SSD comes in 500GB and 1TB as well as 120GB or 250GB capacities so you can also store big CAD datasets.

Performance is top notch. The 1TB model delivers very high random and sequential read and write speeds.

All models feature

Self-Encrypting Drive security technology to keep data safe.

The 840 EVO mSATA SSD also features TurboWrite technology and a RAPID (Real-time Accelerated Processing of I/O Data) mode, both of which are explained in our detailed review of the 2.5-inch 840 EVO SSD. tinyurl.com/ssDevo

gooD things CoMe in sMall PaCkages

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hP Zbook 14 Dell Precision M3800 schenker W503 hP Zbook 15 Dell Precision M4800 lenovo thinkPad W540 scan 3Xs MgW-10 Dell Precision M6800 Workstation specialists Ws-M1760

Class Ultra portable 14-inch Ultra portable 15-inch Mid range 15-inch Mid range 15-inch Mid range 15-inch Mid range 15-inch High-end 17-inch High-end 17-inch High-end 17-inch

Processor (CPU)Intel Core i7 4600U

(2.10GHz up to 3.30GHz) (2 cores, 4 threads)

Intel Core i7 4702HQ (2.20GHz up to 3.20GHz)

(4 cores, 8 threads)

Intel Core i7-4700MQ (2.40GHz up to 3.4GHz)














Memory (RAM) 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3L SDRAM, 1600MHz 16GB (2 x 8GB)

DDR3L 1,600MHz16GB (2 x 8GB) SO-DIMM DDR3L

RAM 1,600MHz Crucial8GB (1 x 8GB) 1,600 MHz

DDR3L SDRAM 8GB (2 x 4GB)

DDR3L 1600MHz 8 GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3 1600MHz32GB (4 x 8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance RAM 1,600MHz

16GB (4 x 4GB) 1,600MHz DDR3

32GB (4 x 8GB) PC3-1600MHz High

Speed DDR-3

Graphics (GPU) AMD FirePro M4100 (1GB GDDR5) Nvidia Quadro K1100M

(2GB GDDR5)NVIDIA Quadro K3100M

(4GB GDDR5)Nvidia Quadro K2100M

(2GB GDDR5)AMD FirePro M5100 Mobility Pro





(8GB GDDR5)

Graphics driver 13.101.1 326.8 327.41 312.65 12.104.2 332.21 332.21 327.62 331.82

Screen14 LED-backlit FHD UWVA IPS eDP anti-glare + PSR

(1,920 x 1,080)

15.6 inch LED Backlit Touch Display with Truelife and QHD+ resolution

(3,200 x 1,880)

15.6 FHD (1,920x1,080)

95% colour gamut panel

15.6 RGB LED-backlit HD DreamColor UWVA eDP anti-glare

(1,920 x 1,080)

15.6 Dell UltraSharp (1,920 x 1,080) wide view, anti-glare, LED-backlit

15.5 3K (2,880 x 1,620) IPS display with built in Pantone colour

calibrator

17.3 HD 1,920 x 1,080 backlit

LED display

17.3 UltraSharp HD (1,920 x 1,080) Wide View Anti-Glare

LED-backlit

17.3 HD 1,920 x 1,080 backlit

LED display

Drives256GB SATA

Solid State Drive with SED technology

256GB Solid State Drive Full Mini Card + 500GB 5,400RPM Solid State

Hybrid Hard Drive

500GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD + DVD Multi recorder

750GB 7,200 RPM HDD + 32 GB mSATA SSD (cache drive using Intel Smart Response Technology) +

DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL

500GB Hybrid 2.5-inch, 6Gb/s SATA with 8GB Flash Drive + 8X DVD+/-RW

Drive Slot Load

256GB Samsung SSD DVD Multiburner

250GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD + 1TB Hitachi Travelstar 7K10000 +

Samsung DVD writer

750GB 2.5inch SATA (7,200RPM) Hard Drive +

Slot load DVD+/-RW

240GB Intel 525 Series mSATA SSD + 750GB 7,200RPM high-performance

SATA drive + 8x DVD-RW Drive

Keyboard / Mouse

Spill resistant keyboard. Multi gesture TouchPad with three buttons and Pointstick with three

additional buttons

Backlit full size keyboard (no numeric keypad); Gesture enabled multi-touch touchpad

with two buttons

Full size keyboard with numeric keypad

Touch pad with multi-gesture and scrolling


additional buttons

Full size keyboard with number padMulti-touch touchpad

with three buttons Track stick with three buttons

Spill-resistant, ergonomic keyboard with numeric keypad. TrackPoint

pointing device and TrackPad with 5-point click integration







Battery HP Long Life 3-cell (50 WHr) polymer/prismatic batteryDell 61 WHr 6-Cell

Lithium-Ion Battery8-cell 77Wh Lithium

Ion battery HP Long Life 8-cell (75 WHr)

Li-Ion battery9-cell (97Wh) Lithium Ion battery

with ExpressCharge6-cell (56 Wh) battery

(optional 9-cell)8-cell (77Wh) Lithium

Ion battery9-cell (97Wh) Lithium Ion battery

with ExpressCharge8-cell 77Wh Lithium

Ion battery

Wireless Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260NB 802.11a/b/g/n (2x2) WiFiIntel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

+ Bluetooth 4.0Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

(with Bluetooth)

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 802.11a/b/g/n and

Bluetooth 4.0 Combo

Dell Wireless 1550 2X2 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0

Intel Dual Band AC 7260 WiFi

Ericson N5321GW WWAN:Bluetooth

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235, 300Mbps & Bluetooth

Dell Wireless 1550 2X2 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0 Optional mobile

broadband mini card

Intel 300MB/Sec N Wireless Network Card +

Integrated Bluetooth 3.0

Ports4 x USB 3.0 (1 charging)

Secondary battery connector RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet

3 x USB 3.0 and 1 x USB 2.0 (all with PowerShare)

2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 1 x eSATA / USB 3.0.

RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet. Mini Firewire

3 x USB 3.0(1 charging) 1 x USB 2.0.

ThunderboltRJ45 Gigabit Ethernet

4 x USB 3.0 (1 with PowerShare) 1 eSATA / USB 2.0

RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet

2 x USB 2.0 + 2 x USB 3.0 Thunderbolt




4 x USB 3.0. 1 x eSATA / USB 2.0.

RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet. -



Expansion / security Memory card reader Smart Card readerFingerprint reader

3-in-1 media card reader

9-in-1 memory card reader

ExpressCard/54Secure Digital

Smart Card Reader

9-in-1 media card reader SmartCard reader

54mm ExpressCard slot

4-in-1 card reader Express Card (SmartCard)


9-in-1 media card reader. 54mm ExpressCard slot.


Display outputs VGA, DisplayPort HDMI, mini DisplayPort DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi VGA, DisplayPort HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort VGA, DisplayPort, Mini DP DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi

Docking Side docking port No dedicated docking port No dedicated docking port Docking port underneath Docking port underneath Docking port underneath No dedicated docking port Docking port underneath No dedicated docking port

Size (W x D x H) 339 x 237 x 21mm 372 x 254 x 8-18mm 376 x 256 x 35-43mm 381 x 257 x 31mm 376 x 256 x 36-40mm 377 x 248 x 28mm 412 x 276 x 45-42mm 40 x 417 x 271mm 412 x 276 x 45-42mm

Weight (machine + power adapter) Starting at 1.62kg + 0.38kg Starting at 1.88kg Starting at 3.1Kg + 1.05kg Starting at 2.82 kg + 0.95kg Starting at 2.88kg + 0.81kg Starting at 2.53kg + 0.72kg Starting at 3.9kg + 1.1kg Starting at 3.57kg + 1.03kg Starting at 3.9kg + 1.1kg

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bitMicrosoft Windows 8.1

Professional 64-bitMicrosoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit






Warranty3-year limited warranty for carry-in

service. 3-year warranty on HP Long Life battery

1-year Next Business Day On Site Service

(optional 3, 4 or 5 year)

24 Month Collect & Return (inc parts, labour, support, shipping)

3-year limited warranty for carry-in service. 1-year battery warranty

Standard 3-year Next Business Day On Site Service after Remote

Diagnosis3 Year On-site 2 Years Collect and Return (screen 1st year only)

Standard 3-year Next Business Day On Site Service

36 Months Standard Hardware Warranty with NBD Engineer

Response

Website hp.com dell.co.uk/precision mysn.co.uk hp.com dell.co.uk/precision lenovo.com/UK 3xs.scan.co.uk dell.co.uk/precision workstationspecialists.com

CPU benchmarks (smaller is better)

CAM (Delcam PowerMill 2010) (i) 315 (ii) 611 (iii) 883 (i) 220 (ii) 336 (iii) 458 (i) 179 (ii) 272 (iii) 375 (i) 183 (ii) 285 (iii) 400 (i) 171 (ii) 275 (iii) 399 (i) 176 (ii) 284 (iii) 412 (i) 169 (ii) 266 (iii) 376 (i) 173 (ii) 277 (iii) 396 (i) 171 (ii) 266 (iii) 374

Rendering (3ds Max Design 2011) 551 299 238 258 243 285 237 244 236

Graphics benchmarks (bigger is better)

CAD (SolidWorks 2013) 2.07 Benchmark does not run on Windows 8 5.30 4.58 4.55 2.58 4.75 5.35 6.32

CAD (PTC Creo 2.0) 2.48 4.32 6.15 4.92 4.39 4.77 5.31 6.13 7.56

Price (excl VAT) 1,857 1,499 1,531 1,996 1,152 2,349 1,553 1,659 2,835

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hP Zbook 14 Dell Precision M3800 schenker W503 hP Zbook 15 Dell Precision M4800 lenovo thinkPad W540 scan 3Xs MgW-10 Dell Precision M6800 Workstation specialists Ws-M1760

Class Ultra portable 14-inch Ultra portable 15-inch Mid range 15-inch Mid range 15-inch Mid range 15-inch Mid range 15-inch High-end 17-inch High-end 17-inch High-end 17-inch

Processor (CPU)Intel Core i7 4600U

(2.10GHz up to 3.30GHz) (2 cores, 4 threads)

Intel Core i7 4702HQ (2.20GHz up to 3.20GHz)
















Memory (RAM) 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3L SDRAM, 1600MHz 16GB (2 x 8GB)

DDR3L 1,600MHz16GB (2 x 8GB) SO-DIMM DDR3L

RAM 1,600MHz Crucial8GB (1 x 8GB) 1,600 MHz

DDR3L SDRAM 8GB (2 x 4GB)

DDR3L 1600MHz 8 GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3 1600MHz32GB (4 x 8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance RAM 1,600MHz

16GB (4 x 4GB) 1,600MHz DDR3

32GB (4 x 8GB) PC3-1600MHz High

Speed DDR-3

Graphics (GPU) AMD FirePro M4100 (1GB GDDR5) Nvidia Quadro K1100M



(2GB GDDR5)AMD FirePro M5100 Mobility Pro





(8GB GDDR5)

Graphics driver 13.101.1 326.8 327.41 312.65 12.104.2 332.21 332.21 327.62 331.82

Screen14 LED-backlit FHD UWVA IPS eDP anti-glare + PSR

(1,920 x 1,080)

15.6 inch LED Backlit Touch Display with Truelife and QHD+ resolution

(3,200 x 1,880)

15.6 FHD (1,920x1,080)

95% colour gamut panel

15.6 RGB LED-backlit HD DreamColor UWVA eDP anti-glare

(1,920 x 1,080)

15.6 Dell UltraSharp (1,920 x 1,080) wide view, anti-glare, LED-backlit

15.5 3K (2,880 x 1,620) IPS display with built in Pantone colour

calibrator

17.3 HD 1,920 x 1,080 backlit

LED display

17.3 UltraSharp HD (1,920 x 1,080) Wide View Anti-Glare

LED-backlit

17.3 HD 1,920 x 1,080 backlit

LED display

Drives256GB SATA

Solid State Drive with SED technology

256GB Solid State Drive Full Mini Card + 500GB 5,400RPM Solid State

Hybrid Hard Drive

500GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD + DVD Multi recorder

750GB 7,200 RPM HDD + 32 GB mSATA SSD (cache drive using Intel Smart Response Technology) +

DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL

500GB Hybrid 2.5-inch, 6Gb/s SATA with 8GB Flash Drive + 8X DVD+/-RW

Drive Slot Load

256GB Samsung SSD DVD Multiburner

250GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD + 1TB Hitachi Travelstar 7K10000 +

Samsung DVD writer

750GB 2.5inch SATA (7,200RPM) Hard Drive +

Slot load DVD+/-RW

240GB Intel 525 Series mSATA SSD + 750GB 7,200RPM high-performance

SATA drive + 8x DVD-RW Drive

Keyboard / Mouse


additional buttons

Backlit full size keyboard (no numeric keypad); Gesture enabled multi-touch touchpad

with two buttons




additional buttons



Spill-resistant, ergonomic keyboard with numeric keypad. TrackPoint

pointing device and TrackPad with 5-point click integration







Battery HP Long Life 3-cell (50 WHr) polymer/prismatic batteryDell 61 WHr 6-Cell

Lithium-Ion Battery8-cell 77Wh Lithium

Ion battery HP Long Life 8-cell (75 WHr)

Li-Ion battery9-cell (97Wh) Lithium Ion battery

with ExpressCharge6-cell (56 Wh) battery

(optional 9-cell)8-cell (77Wh) Lithium

Ion battery9-cell (97Wh) Lithium Ion battery

with ExpressCharge8-cell 77Wh Lithium

Ion battery

Wireless Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260NB 802.11a/b/g/n (2x2) WiFiIntel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

+ Bluetooth 4.0Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

(with Bluetooth)

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 802.11a/b/g/n and

Bluetooth 4.0 Combo

Dell Wireless 1550 2X2 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0

Intel Dual Band AC 7260 WiFi

Ericson N5321GW WWAN:Bluetooth

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235, 300Mbps & Bluetooth

Dell Wireless 1550 2X2 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0 Optional mobile

broadband mini card

Intel 300MB/Sec N Wireless Network Card +

Integrated Bluetooth 3.0

Ports4 x USB 3.0 (1 charging)

Secondary battery connector RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet

3 x USB 3.0 and 1 x USB 2.0 (all with PowerShare)



3 x USB 3.0(1 charging) 1 x USB 2.0.

ThunderboltRJ45 Gigabit Ethernet

4 x USB 3.0 (1 with PowerShare) 1 eSATA / USB 2.0


2 x USB 2.0 + 2 x USB 3.0 Thunderbolt




4 x USB 3.0. 1 x eSATA / USB 2.0.

RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet. -



Expansion / security Memory card reader Smart Card readerFingerprint reader

3-in-1 media card reader


ExpressCard/54Secure Digital

Smart Card Reader

9-in-1 media card reader SmartCard reader

54mm ExpressCard slot

4-in-1 card reader Express Card (SmartCard)


9-in-1 media card reader. 54mm ExpressCard slot.


Display outputs VGA, DisplayPort HDMI, mini DisplayPort DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi VGA, DisplayPort HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort VGA, DisplayPort, Mini DP DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi

Docking Side docking port No dedicated docking port No dedicated docking port Docking port underneath Docking port underneath Docking port underneath No dedicated docking port Docking port underneath No dedicated docking port

Size (W x D x H) 339 x 237 x 21mm 372 x 254 x 8-18mm 376 x 256 x 35-43mm 381 x 257 x 31mm 376 x 256 x 36-40mm 377 x 248 x 28mm 412 x 276 x 45-42mm 40 x 417 x 271mm 412 x 276 x 45-42mm

Weight (machine + power adapter) Starting at 1.62kg + 0.38kg Starting at 1.88kg Starting at 3.1Kg + 1.05kg Starting at 2.82 kg + 0.95kg Starting at 2.88kg + 0.81kg Starting at 2.53kg + 0.72kg Starting at 3.9kg + 1.1kg Starting at 3.57kg + 1.03kg Starting at 3.9kg + 1.1kg

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bitMicrosoft Windows 8.1

Professional 64-bitMicrosoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit







Warranty3-year limited warranty for carry-in

service. 3-year warranty on HP Long Life battery

1-year Next Business Day On Site Service

(optional 3, 4 or 5 year)

24 Month Collect & Return (inc parts, labour, support, shipping)

3-year limited warranty for carry-in service. 1-year battery warranty

Standard 3-year Next Business Day On Site Service after Remote

Diagnosis3 Year On-site 2 Years Collect and Return (screen 1st year only)

Standard 3-year Next Business Day On Site Service

36 Months Standard Hardware Warranty with NBD Engineer

Response

Website hp.com dell.co.uk/precision mysn.co.uk hp.com dell.co.uk/precision lenovo.com/UK 3xs.scan.co.uk dell.co.uk/precision workstationspecialists.com

CPU benchmarks (smaller is better)

CAM (Delcam PowerMill 2010) (i) 315 (ii) 611 (iii) 883 (i) 220 (ii) 336 (iii) 458 (i) 179 (ii) 272 (iii) 375 (i) 183 (ii) 285 (iii) 400 (i) 171 (ii) 275 (iii) 399 (i) 176 (ii) 284 (iii) 412 (i) 169 (ii) 266 (iii) 376 (i) 173 (ii) 277 (iii) 396 (i) 171 (ii) 266 (iii) 374

Rendering (3ds Max Design 2011) 551 299 238 258 243 285 237 244 236

Graphics benchmarks (bigger is better)

CAD (SolidWorks 2013) 2.07 Benchmark does not run on Windows 8 5.30 4.58 4.55 2.58 4.75 5.35 6.32

CAD (PTC Creo 2.0) 2.48 4.32 6.15 4.92 4.39 4.77 5.31 6.13 7.56

Price (excl VAT) 1,857 1,499 1,531 1,996 1,152 2,349 1,553 1,659 2,835


6 DEVELOP3D.COM

Dells new lightweight laptop may be a dead ringer for an apple Macbook Pro, but its an entirely different beast a dedicated 3D CaD mobile workstation, certified for a wide range of applications including nX, inventor, Catia, solidWorks & Creo.

As far as mobile workstations go, the slimline Precision M3800 certainly stands out from the crowd. Starting at 1.88kg and boasting an incredible 15.6-inch QHD+ display no other mid-sized CAD laptop can compete on portability. Its aluminium frame, lightweight carbon fibre base, island style keyboard and spacious touchpad all contribute to what is a refined, well built machine.

There is a downside to the elegant design. The Intel Core i7-4702HQ CPU and Nvidia Quadro K1100M (2GB) GPU, standard on all models, are a few notches below what youd find on a typical 15-inch mobile workstation. Theres also a maximum of 16GB RAM so CAD models cant get too hefty.

In our CPU-intensive tests we found the M3800 to be around 20-25% slower than a comparative Intel Core i7-4800MQ-based machine. Graphics also takes a hit, partly due to the processing power of the entry-level to mid-range Nvidia GPU, but also because of the stunning QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) resolution screen.

With three times as many pixels to push around as FHD (1,920 x 1,080), most users will probably experience some slow down in 3D performance. This will vary according to application, datasets and how you view your models (e.g. plain shaded with edges or realistic materials), but the Quadro K1100M should still be perfectly adequate for small to medium CAD assemblies.

The 15.6-inch QHD+ display may put an additional load on the GPU, but the image quality is exceptional. CAD models are incredibly crisp with fine

lines and vibrant colours. The glossy Gorilla glass display is 5-finger multi-touch enabled, a nice feature that works best with Windows 8.1.

Our test machine came with a 256GB mSATA SSD for operating system and apps and a 512GB SSHD for data, but there are plenty of others options. The machine boots in a mere 10 seconds, but this is probably mostly down to efficiencies in Windows 8.1.

There are some downsides: theres no DVD drive, numeric keypad or RJ45 Ethernet port though a USB to Ethernet cable is included. And because the M3800 is based on a consumer chassis (Dell XPS 15) it misses out on business features such

as a fingerprint reader and docking port (though a Dell D3000 USB 3.0 Docking Station is supported). The warranty is also consumer focused: 1-year compared to the three offered on other Precisions, though upgrades are available.

Under heavy loading fans are also more noticeable than they are standard 15-inch mobile workstations. Some may find the noise annoying but the processors did appear to keep running at full speed even under long term loading.

These compromises may be deal-breakers for some, but for a machine that offers such impressive portability in a stylish minimal package, the Dell Precision M3800 is simply in a class of its own.

offering impressive

portability in a stylish package, the

Dell precision M3800 is in a class of its own

Weve seen 14-inch mobile workstations come and go over the years, but none can touch the hP Zbook 14 when it comes to mobility.

Pitched as the worlds first workstation Ultrabook, HPs little beauty is a mere 21mm thick, weighing a touch over 1.6kg. Even with the 65W power adapter the whole package comes in at 2kg. This is a mobile workstation like no other.

Of course, the tradeoff for mobility is performance. The AMD FirePro M4100 GPU is very much entry 3D and while most mobile workstations have headroom for a 37W CPU, the ZBook sets its limits at 17W.

The clock speed of 2.1GHz - 3.3GHz on our test machines Intel Core i7-4600U CPU may be impressive for such a low powered chip, but with only 2 CPU cores, there will likely be bottlenecks in everyday use.

Windows, drivers and software all fight for CPU cores, and multi-threaded 3D software will suffer.

But to pull up this machine on performance would be missing the point. Cranking down key components (and ommitting a DVD drive) are the very reasons the ZBook 14 is so light.

And it is an exceptional piece of design. The island style keyboard is a pleasure to use, the Touchpad silky smooth and the mouse buttons have a good amount of give. Theres even a Pointstick should you prefer.

Because of the 14-inch form factor theres no dedicated numeric keypad, but pressing fn and num lk together turns the centre of the keyboard into a pseudo numeric keypad.

Even with its slender body, HP has still managed to include a standard RJ45 port. This ingenious design has a spring-loaded hinge that expands the port to its full width when you plug in an Ethernet cable. VGA and DisplayPort v1.2 ports allow connection to external displays.

Unlike most mobile workstations, all four ports are USB 3.0. One is always on for charging, denoted by a miniscule lightning symbol, which is very hard to see. Its a real shame this port isnt colour-coded. HP isnt the only manufacturer to miss this trick.

WiFi on our test machine supports 802.11a/b/g/n (2x2), but you can upgrade to 802.11ac (2x2) to boost transfer rates. Mobile broadband modules are optional.

The display in our test machine is impressive a 14-inch full HD IPS panel, which delivers crisp lines and vivid colours. There are other options available from a 1,600 x 900 touchscreen down to a more standard 1,366 x 768 display.

Despite its tiny chassis, the ZBook 14 still offers exceptional serviceability. Slide a catch on the underside and the HP Easy Access Door simply clips off. Now you have direct access to battery, memory, hard drive and mini-cards making it exceptionally easy to upgrade or replace components. Theres hardly a screw in sight.

For power the three cell 50WHr battery can be supplemented with a secondary 6-cell (60 Whr) slice battery, which connects via a port on the underside of the machine.

Enterprise-users are catered for through a dedicated docking port (on the side rather than underneath), a smart card reader and a fingerprint reader to the right of the touchpad.

To add another layer of security the 2.5-inch 256GB SSD in our test machine features Self Encrypting Drive (SED) technology. There are plenty of other storage options and if you want to double up on drives theres an optional 120GB M.2 SSD.

The ZBook 14 is a great little machine, well built with exceptional serviceability. Its ideal for truly mobile CAD but limited to small assembly modelling. Considering the core spec its a little expensive, but its hard to put a price on mobility.

hp Zbook 14 Dell precision M3800

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DEVELOP3D.COM 7

this latest update to lenovos thinkPad family is a specialist piece of kit. With an exceptional 15.5-inch 2,880 x 1,620 display and an X-rite Pantone colour calibrator built in, its ideal for colour-critical workflows. simply choose a profile, close the lid and it does the rest, making a few re-assuring beeps along the way.

The IPS panel is stunning: colours are vivid and jagged edges on wireframe CAD models almost invisible. Unfortunately, the cost of having so many pixels on screen is a

drop in performance. We experienced a 35% and 15% respective slow down in SolidWorks and Creo when going from 2,880 x 1,620 to standard HD. This will vary according to applications and models and it may have no impact on some workflows. However, if it is an issue, you can always downgrade to an HD display.

Storage is fast, provided by a single 256GB Samsung SSD. Theres also room for a second 2.5-inch drive but, surprisingly, no mSATA.

The machine is optimised for mobile workers. It has fast Intel Dual Band AC 7260 WiFi and mobile

broadband built in so you can send/receive data wherever you can get a 3G/4G signal. Lenovo also places a big emphasis on battery life, automatically clocking down the Intel Core i7-4800MQ CPU by 75% when not plugged in, though this can be changed in the BIOS to give priority to performance.

Overall, we had mixed feelings about the W540. We loved the display and colour calibrator, but the touchpad can be hugely frustrating, so use an external mouse whenever possible.

lenovo Thinkpad W540

this mainstream 15.6-inch delivers far more grunt than its lightweight sibling, the Zbook 14. it can handle a high-end CPu (up to the intel Core i7-4900MQ), a mid-range gPu (up to the nvidia Quadro k2100M) an ideal combination for mid-range CaD.

Internal access is a breeze thanks to the superb HP Easy Access Door. Simply flip a switch and the back panel pops off. No tools required.

Everything is beautifully laid out inside. RAM slots are marked clearly meaning upgrades can be done in seconds. The 2.5-inch hard drive, secured by a couple of screws, is eased out with a green lever. No other mobile workstation gets close to the ZBook 15 in terms of its serviceability.

Its also a joy to use. The island keyboard and trackpad are superb. Wireless and sound can be switched on/off instantly using two buttons located above the numeric keypad.

Our test machines HP DreamColor panel is also superb, by far the best HD display on test this month. Colours are vivid and dont drop off at wider viewing angles, but you pay a premium for this high-quality

IPS panel. There are some lower-cost options, all of them HD.

Kitted out with an Core i7-4700MQ CPU and Nvidia Quadro K2100M GPU our test machine delivered solid if not spectacular performance. Its 8GB of RAM is a touch light for most workflows, but with capacity for 32GB this can be easily remedied.

Storage takes the middle ground between SSD and HDD, courtesy of a 2.5-inch 750GB hard drive and a 32GB mSATA SSD, which acts as a cache drive. There are plenty of other options including a 128GB mSATA.

Theres also scope for expansion by swapping out the DVD/RW for a drive upgrade bay to house a second 2.5-inch drive.

There are 4 x USB ports, three of them USB 3.0, but the machine also comes with Thunderbolt for exceptional transfer rates.

Overall, the ZBook 15 is an impressive machine, well built with exceptional serviceability. But quality like this doesnt come cheap. Our test machine will set you back the best part of 2,000 and while this includes the superb DreamColor display some will find it hard to justify for a mid-range mobile workstation for CAD.

Dell has an impressive pedigree when it comes to mobile workstations and its latest 15-inch offering picks up where the Precision M4700 left off.

The aluminium and magnesium alloy chassis feels solid and built to last; the keyboard, numeric keypad and trackpad are all excellent and theres a reassuring click when closing the lid on the HD display. The days of Dell using a cheap consumer chassis for its mobile workstations are long gone.

Despite this feeling of quality, our test machine is not expensive. But even with its budget 1,152 price tag you get a top notch Intel Core i7-4800MQ CPU, ideal for 3D CAD.

The AMD FirePro M5100 is an excellent choice for Creo and SolidWorks, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Nvidia Quadro K2100M and delivering solid scores in our benchmarks.

You do get more bang for your buck by going down the AMD route. An equivalent spec M4800 with an Nvidia GPU will set you back 1,189 and this will only secure you the slightly less powerful Quadro 1100M.

The rest of our test machines components are much more entry-level. 8GB (2 x 4GB) RAM and a 500GB hybrid drive hardly inspire, but with room for 32GB RAM (4 x 8GB) and three drives there are plenty of options.

Maxing out the storage means swapping out the slot load DVD drive for a second 2.5 drive (HDD, SSD, or hybrid). The third drive is an mSATA SSD, available in capacities up to 512GB. This is significantly larger than those offered by HP and Lenovo in equivalent machines.

Providing you have the right combination of drives, you can boost drive performance or security by configuring with RAID 0 or 1 (two drives) or RAID 5 (three drives).

To keep costs down, theres no optional fingerprint reader in our test machine, so security is left to the Smart Card Reader.

Overall, Dell has delivered another solid mobile workstation and one that is priced extremely competitively. For mainstream 3D CAD our test M4800 may be a little unbalanced, but add an SSD into the mix and top up the RAM and you wont be disappointed.

hp Zbook 15 Dell precision M4800


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8 DEVELOP3D.COM

to get the kind of 3D performance on offer in this 15-inch from german firm schenker youd normally have to invest in a hefty 17-inch machine. 15-inch models from the major manufacturers max out at the Quadro k2100M, but schenkers W503 takes the gPu up a notch to a Quadro k3100M.

In SolidWorks and Creo this extra GPU horsepower is reflected in some elevated benchmark scores. In the real world it means youll be able to push up the quality settings in your real-time renderer and still maintain those all important frame rates.

The Intel Core i7-4700MQ CPU may not be the fastest, but the excellent 500GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD gives it a boost in our multithreaded

CAM and rendering tests. Its ability to fetch data quickly means the CPU can get to work much earlier.

As a smaller manufacturer, Schenker is quick to respond to new tech and is already offering the Intel Core i7-4940MX (3.1GHz to 4.0GHz) CPU and 1TB Samsung 840 Evo SSDs in 2.5-inch and mSATA form factors.

Indeed, if high performance storage is your obsession, the W503 is well equipped. Theres space for a whopping 4TB thanks to two mSATAs (which can be striped or mirrored in RAID 0/1) and two 2.5-inch bays (one replaces the DVD).

The downside of having 17-inch class features in a 15-inch chassis is it does feel slightly chunkier than its peers and the power adapter is heavier. From a design perspective, its also less refined, though the keyboard and touchpad are perfectly adequate.

The HD screen, despite boasting a 95% colour gamut, doesnt excite out of the box like the HP ZBook 15 or Lenovo ThinkPad W540. Investing in a colour calibration tool might change this. But then one mustnt forget that to get your hands on

this 15-inch powerhouse will only set

you back 1,531.

schenker W503 Dell precision M6800

Considering the amount of technology on offer in this 17-inch model from scan, 3Xs MgW-10 wins hands down on value for money.

With an Intel Core i7-4800MQ CPU, Nvidia Quadro K3000M GPU and 32GB RAM, it has a spec to rival a mid-range desktop workstation.

A 250GB Samsung 840 Evo mSATA SSD provides fast storage for OS and apps, while a 2.5-inch 1TB Hitachi Travelstar HDD will hold the bulk of your CAD data. With room

for an additional 2.5-inch and mSATA drive theres plenty scope to expand. RAID 0/1 is supported in pairs.

The Clevo P170SM chassis (also used by Workstation Specialists in its WS-M1760) is plasticky in places and, compared to the Dell Precision M6800 or HP ZBook 17, a little uninspiring.

Thats not to say it isnt well-built, but when one can customise the backlit keyboard with flashing colours, its obvious Clevo only has one eye on the professional user.

The Quadro K3000M is of a slightly older generation of GPUs than the K3100M and didnt reach the same heights as Schenkers W503. Scan says this is down to supplier availability rather than cost, so its probably worth waiting for the newer GPU to come online, which should be soon

Overall, the machine offers solid performance, good expandability

and great value for money, making it a cost-

effective altern-ative to a mainstream desktop CAD

workstation.

this 17-inch monster from Derby-based Workstation specialists is by far the most expensive mobile workstation on test this month, but its in a completely different class in terms of its spec.

The high-end 8GB Quadro K5100M GPU makes light work of throwing texture-heavy design viz datasets around the HD display. And, with 1,536 CUDA cores, it can also double up as a powerful general-purpose processor. This will be of interest to users of CUDA-compatible ray trace renderers or simulation solvers, where the GPU can be used to augment the Intel Core i7-4800MQ CPU. And theres plenty of memory to support such complex datasets: the machine is maxed out with 32GB PC3-1600MHz High Speed DDR-3.

To serve up the OS and apps theres a 240GB Intel mSATA SSD with a 750GB HDD for data. If you need a more powerful storage system, you can double up on both mSATA and

2.5-inch drives.The WS-M1760 uses the same Clevo

P170SM chassis as the Scan 3XS MGW-10 so theres no docking port or SmartCard reader, but you do get a fingerprint reader, powered by Truesuite keepsafe.

The HD display is a bit lacklustre. Lines are sharp, but fire up a CAD render and the colours appear a little dull. The good news is there are plenty of digital outputs to connect to an external display, including HDMi, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, which will be helpful to get the best out of the high-end GPU.

scan 3Xs MGW-10

From the outside the 17-inch Dell Precision M6800 looks just like a bigger version of the Dell Precision M4800. and in many ways it is. it features the same trademark Dell styling, solid chassis and easy maintenance of its 15-inch sibling. the big difference is whats inside.

The M6800 places a big emphasis on high-performance graphics and only has options for mid-range or high-end GPUs. Our test machines Quadro K3100M should be perfect for power CAD users, but you can take this all the way up to the K5100M should you so desire.

The 4GB GPU is partnered with an Intel Core i7-4800MQ CPU and 16GB of RAM, which comes in 4 x 4GB DIMMs. Unfortunately, this means theres no room to upgrade to the maximum 32GB without swapping out memory.

Its criminal for a machine of this class to be kitted out with such prosaic storage but our M6800s 750GB Hard Drive is crying out for an SSD to take the strain in day to day operations.

And its not as if the M6800 cant handle it. With

support for one solid state Mini-Card and three 2.5-inch drives (one in the optical bay caddy), there are plenty of options. Drives can be configured in pairs for RAID 0 or 1 and, unlike the WS and Scan, you can also make a three drive RAID 5 array for performance and redundancy.

The 17.3-inch UltraSharp HD display is impressive, boasting crisp lines and well-balanced colours. Unfortunately, theres no upgrade to QHD+, which is a shame as the M6800 is more equipped than most to throw around ultra hi-res models without unduly impacting performance.

Its clear our test machine needs some tweaks to get the most out of the M6800, but it certainly has the foundations for a solid, enterprise-class desktop replacement.

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