Headlining Dell’s mobile workstation update are a few major improvements to its 7510 and 7710 machines. Both laptops will now come with an opportunity to be outfitted with Intel’s sixth-generation E3-1545 or E3-1575 vs processors, which can deliver up to 20 percent better performance than their predecessors.
In addition to enhanced processor performance, both the 7510 and 7710 models can onboard up to 32 GB of DDR4 2667 MHz memory—a move that could boost the 7000-series performance by 23 percent.
Stepping down a series, Dell has also noted that its 5510 mobile workstation will receive a new processor option. Those who are considering this mid-level mobile workstation will be able to select Intel’s i5-6440HQ processor.
Finally, each of Dell’s 3510, 5510, 7510 and 7710 workstations will use the company’s Reliable Memory Technology Pro to safeguard against lost data.
“Performance and accuracy are essential for Autodesk users working on complex projects in modeling, simulation and visualization. We partnered with Dell to certify and maximize the experience of our applications on the new Dell Precision workstations,” said Dave Ford, director of strategic alliances for Autodesk. “From AutoCAD to 3ds Max, the new Dell Precision workstations provide the computing power that professionals require to create with our Autodesk portfolio."
As we’re all seeing, CAD and computationally intensive graphics work is quickly moving away from the workstation and onto the laptop. With these updated offerings, Dell is answering the demand that CAD techs have for increased mobility and state-of-the-art performance. However, I wonder how long engineers will need to lug around these beefed-up super-systems when a smaller, less expensive unit will suffice?
The next era of CAD is approaching rapidly, and it will manifest itself as CAD streamed directly through a browser. To that end, if loading a browser is all you need to do complex assembly work or run simulations, will engineers really need 32 GB of RAM and an expensive processor?
I’m betting that they won’t.