Dell creates portable workstation that meets Evo consumer laptop spec

Dell has refreshed its business laptops, predictably enough adding 12th-gen Intel silicon while also trying to make its offerings in a very well established product category stand out. The new Precision 5470 might be the best illustration of Dell's efforts. The 14-incher is designated as a workstation, but still meets the Evo …

[WolfFan]

They’re Dells. No thanks

I have a company Dell laptop. It’s incredibly shitty, even for a Dell. It is due to be replaced by either a Surface or a MacBook. I didn’t like Dells before I was forced to use this abortion, and now I like them even less.

[Tom 38]

Re: They’re Dells. No thanks

Dell Precision or Dell Latitude - there's a big difference.

Personally, I'm very happy with my 3 yr old Dell Precision 5540, still quite a beast.

[Snake]

Re: Dells

There's more than that. Dell Latitudes, their business laptops, can be quite good. I had an E6420 for about 7 years of steady use with no problems and, after refreshing the unit with cheap and easily available parts off eBay such as a new keyboard, I sent it off to a new home with a friend in need (but he's an Apple-head and although I gifted him a computer it seems he didn't bother to use it :rolleyes: No computer, still Apple picky!)

Dell Precisions workstations are fantastic: I outfitted a clumsy, not very technical friend with a Dell Precision M4600 what, at least a good 8 years ago? Since then I've replaced his keyboard at least 3 times; recently the entire palmrest & display bezel to refresh the unit to give him a nicer look, whilst at the same time replaced the metal lid latches because he broke them; repasted the CPU; upgraded the RAM; switched to an SSD about 5 years ago; replaced the power adapter at least twice...

and yet, with dented & bent chassis corners from how many times he's dropped the thing, a loose power plug from how many times he's yanked out the cord whilst working on his lap, no rubber feet from them being ripped off due to his handling, it continues to go on and on and on and on. He's using it to this very moment.

(Talking him into an upgrade, coming soon!)

Dell Inspirons, on the other hand...can be utter shiate.

Depends what you buy, you get what you paid (or, didn't pay) for.

[Down not across]

Re: Dells

Agreed. i still have some D620s as the real serial port is useful.

As much as I like larger screens I've grown quite fond of my E7240s that I have few and I've replaced parts as needed, maxed out RAM (or added the WWAN card if missing). Had to replace the screen on one (only annoyance is that the 1920x1080 is only available as the glossy touchscreen). I have couple spare keyboards and palmrests in the cupboard for when needed. Whilst I've always thought UltraBooks were silly, when I had to recently do fair bit of travelling i found the E7240 perfect, small and light and not too cumbersome to use on a plane either WWAN card for mobile internet is very useful when on the move and I prefer that to tethering.

I did take a look at the new lineup and looks like you can get those new ones with 4GLTE card etc so fairly similar. Sadly they have dropped ethernet port so its either the awful puck or some other USB GigE adapter. Battery is also internal as seems to be the case with all laptops now.

So £2k for new shiny that is less functonal (unless you crave USB C) than my current one.

I think I'll stick to recycling old ones until they die completely or spare parts become unavailable.

[Is It Me]

Re: Dells

Thanks,

I came to see if anyone had checked if they had a built in Ethernet port, and it is a shame that they don't.

[teknopaul]

Photo or it didn't happen

Or do I need to turn my ad blocker off?

[Giles C]

Re: Photo or it didn't happen

No photos on this article that I can see.

[Snake]

Re: Photo or it didn't happen

Dell isn't even currently admitting to a price (yet).

[Anonymous Coward]

13.3-inch

Give me at least 17" and maybe we can talk.

No, I'm not a woman.

[Down not across]

Re: 13.3-inch

i used to think that. I still do mostly.

However as I needed to carry more than one laptop when doing some travelling I bought some 2nd hand 7240Es and they are actually lot better than I thought they'd be. Perfect size. Much nicer to carry around being lighter (especially if you need more than one laptop) Ok battery life on old ones is not that great. Great size to use on a plane, wouldn't want to try to balance 17" on airplane tray.

[Anonymous Coward]

Intel needs to stop forcing these BS hardware templates.

Intel has been ruining PC laptops for years.

The Ultrabook was, and is, overpriced crap. Almost all of their other specs mandate making a nearly useless machine that is also practically indistinguishable from every other laptop on the market. It's insane that a hardware company pushes that hard to limit platforms that could otherwise include more of the technology they as a company make, and haven't been selling enough of.

And calling it an EVO or a vPro is just adding gobbledygook from a consumer standpoint. More marking BS isn't the answer here.

Maybe they need to drag out whatever morons they hired in from the auto industry and publicly flay them with wafer cleaner on the next company zoom.

[dajames]

16:9!?

It's not a TV, it's a computer ... so put a 16:10 screen on it or I won't even consider buying one.

[Freddellmeister]

Dell Precision 5470 looks to have some very interesting treats. I hope Lenovo can mash up something similar and not just "p14s".