14 DAY TRIAL // The product page on the company's site dubs the Dell precision M6500 as “the most powerful mobile workstation” and claims it delivers “unlimited creative power” and “specifications that some desktop workstations might struggle to deliver.” Although there have been many recent announcements of products, both from Dell and other makers, which claimed to be the best according to certain standards, in this case, there is no question that the workstation is genuinely performance-packed.
The Dell Precision M6500 is the successor to the Precision M6400 and is built from components both powerful and expensive. For instance, the central processing unit is an Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Quad Core processor (i7-920XM Extreme Edition 2.00GHz, i7-820QM 1.73GHz or i7-720QM 1.60GHz) and the maximum memory attainable is 16GB, which runs at 1333MHz. The graphics card options are equally fund-draining, with a choice between ATI FirePro M7740 Graphics with 1GB dedicated memory and NVIDIA Quadro FX 2800M or Quadro FX 3800M, also with 1GB dedicated memory.
As additional information, for primary storage, the workstation offers support for one, two or even three storage devices, with optional RAID0, RAID1, or RAID5 Configuration, and the maximum storage capacities are 500GB (when using 7200RPM Free Fall Sensor Hard Drives), 160GB (when using 7200RPM Encrypted FFS Hard Drives) and only 256GB (when using Solid State Drives). Multimedia options include two speakers, optional dual array microphones and an optional 2MP camera, with future plans to integrate support for a 3MP one. The laptop also features expandability through its eight-in-one card reader.
Connectivity options are, naturally, no less notable than the primary specifications of Dell's M6500. They may include WLAN connectivity, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth 2.1 and Ultra-Wideband (UWB), as well as a Next Generation Mobile Broadband. The station has wireless capabilities, whether Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g or 1510 802.11 a/g/n 2x3 Mini-Card, or an Intel Wireless 5300 802.11a/g/n 3x3 Mini-Card. WWAN is also supported through Dell Wireless 5620 HSPA - EVDO Rev A.
The industrial design chassis (with aluminum LCD back and base) measures 15.4 x 11 x 1.35 inches and has as I/O options 1394 Powered 6-pin, four USB 2.0 ports, a VGA and a Display Port, RJ-45, Audio and eSATA. The product runs on a 210 Watt AC adapter and nine-cell extended life primary batteries.
The so-called most powerful workstation, Dell Precision 6500 has a starting price of $2,749, whereas the Covet Edition (Featuring vibrant orange anodized aluminum chassis and edge-to-edge 17" screen) costs a massive $4,219. Both may be found here.