Dell Precision M60

The Precision M60 has a specification that would put many desktop PCs to shame, particularly in terms of raw graphics processing and display capacity.

A 128MB NVIDIA graphics card, a full gigabyte of RAM and a mobile 1.7GHz Pentium M processor mean that this machine can handle heavy-duty graphics work – from video to 3D and Photoshop.The days of the oversized desktop monster may be numbered.

Dell has brought together the best components it could find, and combined them in the most powerful system imaginable. The screen offers a top resolution of 1900x1200 pixels, the graphics adaptor has twice the memory of almost any other available, and there’s space for 2GB of RAM. You’re working with something akin to an experimental test-plane. It’s very powerful but it feels a little dangerous. However exhilarating this may be it’s a very expensive business, and one best left to the professionals.

The size and quality of the screen alone are impressive, giving you space to view complex models or multiple documents. Eye strain at the higher resolutions might be a worry though, and there’s no DVI out, only S-video.

Unfortunately, not everything about this machine is good. One of the first things you notice is that Dell has obviously got someone in to redesign it since the M50. It’s a question of taste, obviously, but the plastic chasis doesn’t complement the fantastic quality of the display – it leaves it marooned in the middle of too much silver plastic. It’s also a bit on the heavy side. This is to be expected, but that would be little consolation while you were running for a train.

The only reason you could possibly justify the need for this type of performance in a laptop is if you are working on high-detail, technical 3D modelling, perhaps visiting clients or displaying sensitive information of a technical nature that you don’t want to copy and distribute. The professional slant is reflected in its price. As configured, our review model ran to £3530. Another gigabyte of RAM could be added, along with several other useful peripherals which would easily push you up to £5000. This is a lot of cash for a machine that will still seem significantly slower than your desktop if you’re in the 3D, gaming or video market.

It can’t be denied that this is a monster of a laptop. To have good-spec Viewperf scores on a portable is a singular achievement. But given the price, you could make do with a mid-range laptop and wait for the technology to filter down. However, if you need the latest technology on the move, the M60 will look very tempting.