Dell has launched the Precision M6500 – the first mobile workstation based on the Core i7 Mobile processors.  Based on the same chassis as the popular M6400, the M6500 supports up to 16 GB RAM, up to three hard drives and/or solid state drives, and a choice of high-end graphics from nVidia and ATI.

There are three processor choices.  All are quad core CPUs running at 1.6, 1.73 and 2.0 GHz.  Don’t let the low clock speeds fool you, these are top performers.  In TurboBoost mode, these same CPUs run at speeds up to 2.8, 3.06 and 3.2 GHz, respectively.   Even the entry level 1.6 GHz Core i7-720QM performs as well as the fastest mobile Core 2 Duo and Quad processors. And the top-end Core i7-920XM outperforms any previous mobile CPU by 15-40%.

Now for the bad news:   These puppies are expensive!  Even a modestly configured system with the 1.6 GHz CPU, ATI graphics and 4GB RAM comes in at over $3000.  Opt for the fastest CPU, 8 GB RAM, an SSD drive, and Quadro FX graphics card and the price can easily climb over $5000.

And the silver lining:  Dell is offering up to $627 Instant Savings on the M6400 (up to $485 Instant Savings if configuring with a 64-bit OS.)  I priced out very robust configurations (8GB RAM, Quadro FX2700, 250 GB hdd, UXGA screen) for under $3200 with a 2.53 GHz Core2 Quad CPU
 and under $2700 with a 3.06 GHz Core2 Duo processor. 

HP and Lenovo should be introducing their Core i7 mobile workstations soon.

SolidWorks continues to update the list of mobile workstations certified for SolidWorks 2010.  The last two generations of mobile workstations from Dell and HP using nVidia Quadro FX graphics are certified for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of XP and Vista.    The Lenovo ThinkPad W700 has been certified with Quadro FX3700M graphics only, but the FX2700M graphics should work fine.   All of these models are expected to be certified for Windows 7, as well.

The older Dell Precision M90 and M65 notebooks have been certfied for 32-bit XP/Vista only.  These notebooks can address a maximum of 3.2GB RAM, so 64-bit operation doesn’t make much sense anyway.  The Vista driver should work for Windows 7, but probably will not be certfied.  These are the last drivers that will be available for these computers.    Kudos to Dell for supporting these systems with updated drivers.  The same generation notebooks from HP (nw8440/9440) and Lenovo (T60p) will not be getting updated drivers.

The only notebook with ATI FireGL or FirePro graphics certified so far is the Dell M6400 with FirePro M7740 graphics.  The Lenovo ThinkPad W500 and models of the HP 8530w/8730w with ATI graphics will probably be certified eventually, but it’s not certain.    We recommend sticking with Quadro FX graphics, at least for the time being.

For the most up to date certification information, see http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html.  Look up notebooks by computer manufacturer, not by the graphics manufacturer.

SolidWorks has begun shipping out Sw 2010 Upgrade Kits to eligible customers.  About 3/4 of our list has been shipped and assigned FedEx tracking codes.  You should receive your upgrade kits before Thanksgiving. 

If not, please contact me and I’ll track your package.

Jim Zink

763.795.7975

jim.zink@symsolutions.com

There are two current threads on the SolidWorks Discussion Forum that seem particularly popular and I think helpful for many users.

The first is a discussion of the new Windows 7 Start Menu and Task Bar.  Jim Wilkinson, SolidWorks Director of User Experience shares some good tips.   https://forum.solidworks.com/message/127259#127259

The other is a discussion of a recent screencast on Excel Tips for Engineers.   View the screencast at http://www.solidworks.com/tips_excel_SIEBEL and then join the discussion at https://forum.solidworks.com/message/127259#127259

Both the Minnesota and Southern Minnesota SolidWorks User Groups will hold meetings November 11.