Dell teases with 17-inch quad-core laptop sporting 16GB of memory

This is going to be huge. Unfortunately, we're talking size not marketplace impact when Dell's 17-inch Precision "mobile workstation" rolls out this fall. This portable desktop replacement promises up to 1TB of storage configured in a dual-drive RAID configuration, quad-core processor, and 16GB of graphics memory (1GB for graphics) with enough oomph to power a pair of external 30-inch displays. It also includes a number of unidentified media slots and an integrated jog shuttle controller -- a pretty good hint at the mobile media types this laptop is targeting. Watch it all go down in the video after the break.

Update: Heh, this is the same Dell leaked last month carrying the M6400 moniker.

[Thanks, Gaurav S.]

[GeekPI Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:04AM]

I'll be ordering a few of these the second they come on the market, but why is this such big news and deserving of a post?

This video has been on Dell's site since August 12th. You guys even posted more specs and prices about it then too.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/dell-lets-slip-new-sexy-precision-m4400-and-m2400-mobile-workst/

[18000rpm Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:30AM]

Why can't people get the aspect ratio of their video right??

[iPilya Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:50AM]

And I have to ask... but which OS are they going to use that can actually take advantage of the 16gb of RAM??? Surely not Windows XP / Vista.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 4:50AM]

Windows XP 32 is limited to 4GB RAM
Windows Vista 32 is limited to 3GB RAM
WIndows Vista 64 Home is limited to 8GB RAM
Windows Vista 64 Home Premium is limited to 16GB RAM
Windows Vista 64 Business (and above) is limited to 128GB RAM

Given that this is a Precision model, sold through Dell Business, Vista 64 Business is likely to be the primary factory installed OS.

Considering that many applications used by the target market have already started releasing 64-bit versions (if they haven't already been doing so for some time), this move makes sense.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 3:54AM]

i don't think dell is compromising

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 4:48AM]

So,,, how many 24v aircraft batteries will this need?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 5:11AM]

in pure scientific terms, a shit load

[csmitty Posted Sep 22nd 2008 8:43AM]

As much as I dislike dell i think i'll go ahead and starting working on the IT request here at work. I've got a 17" HP "engineering laptop" whatever that means. and its HUGE, so much I just leave it on my desk unless I HAVE to take it somewhere. Its got the same processor as my 13" macbook 512 graphic memory 4 system and running a large assembly in Autodesk is about a 5 min operation just to bring it up. Almost everyone else on my team has the same gripes (mine moreso with inventor) and talking about going to 64bit. So this would be a good option, though I would need to reinforce my desk probably. And fireproof it.

[White Noise Posted Sep 22nd 2008 10:26AM]

I don't know why someone can't come out with a 15" with slightly less diesel specs so you actually can have a mobile workstation. That's the real niche no one is filling. I'd rather have something I can work off site with, not something I need a site to work from.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 11:15AM]

Wonder how many seconds of battery life? Are they going to put a couple roller wheels and one of those extendable luggage handles on it? I want one anyway. Many moble users are mostly in a hotel room anyway, and like the big screen and desktop performance. If you can afford this, you can buy a netbook for the coffee shops.

[FakeGreenDress Posted Sep 22nd 2008 12:34PM]

I'm a documentary animator currently spec-ing out my next work system (eagerly awaiting tomorrow's CS4 announcement before I buy). I'm looking to go portable, and, while I've never been a Dell fan, this is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for: powerful enough for solid in-office use, able to move if necessary (say for final graphic touchups at a post house, or even just the ability to work from home on occasion). Battery life certainly isn't an issue -- there's pretty much zero chance of me ever using it not plugged in. The jog-shuttle wheel is a huge bonus, and 16 gb of ram really isn't that ridiculous when you're rendering in HD.

[diegont Posted Sep 22nd 2008 7:03PM]

READ !!!!!! 16GB OF SYSTEM MEMORY, 1 GIG OF VIDEO RAM, 1TB OF STORAGE, CONNECT TWO 30" LCD'S. CAPISH.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 7:28PM]

What is the point of 16GB RAM when DELL refuses to support 64bit systems? try to call their customer support and tell them you are running 64bit windows, and have a problem - they will hang up on you so fast you will have a ringing in your ears for years.
They have no problem selling laptops with 4GB RAM today, but will not support you if you actually try to use it all.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2008 9:25AM]

How do they plan on using that 16gb or ram? As 32-bit Applications like XP and Vista are limited to 4gb.

Will this laptop be based on a 64-bit system... or Linux to pull off that much ram?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2008 2:22AM]

I'm a newby 3D modeller and always run out of mem. Tell me will a laptop handle 3D apps like Blender etc smooth enough without freezing, how about these new quad core machines?