Mobile Workstation In The Designer Test

2023 Author : Hannah Pearcy | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:12

Mobile workstations are increasingly achieving the hardware performance of desktop devices and, of course, offer more flexibility. Hardware expert Dell and 3D-Connexion, specialists in 3D input devices, provided us with the mobile workstation Dell 5530 2-in-1, the monitor Dell U2719DC and the Cad-Mouse Pro Wireless for testing.

The technical details of the test devices

Mobile workstation Dell 5530 2-in-1 with the following equipment:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-8706G with Radeon Pro WX Vega M GL graphics card (8 MB cache, up to 4.10 GHz)
• 16 GB DDR4 memory with 2,400 MHz
• M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD Hard Drive (Class 40), 1 TB
• Graphics card: Radeon Pro WX Vega M GL with 4 GB HBM2 graphics memory
• UltraSharp IGZO4 touch display, 15.6 ", UHD (3,840 x 2,160), wide viewing angle, LED backlight
• Intel 8265 802.11ac [2 x 2] Wireless for vPro + Bluetooth 4.1
• Windows 10 Pro (64 bit), English, Dutch, French, German, Italian

3D input device Cad-Mouse Pro Wireless:

• 7 buttons (including middle mouse button, 5 programmable buttons)
• High-resolution, energy-saving optical sensor with 7,200 dpi
• Rechargeable lithium polymer battery with 1,100 mAh
• Intelligent mouse wheel of the 2nd generation
• Interfaces: USB, Bluetooth Low-Energy, Universal Receiver
• Supported operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10; Mac OS X 10.10 or higher
• Certificates and approvals: CE, FCC, RCM, BSMI, ROHS, WEEE, NCC, MIC, IC
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 126 mm x 74 mm x 44 mm
• Weight: 140 g

Monitor: Dell U2719DC

• LED backlit LCD monitor - 68.6 cm (27 ")
• Energy efficiency class: Class A
• Energy consumption per year: 40 kWh
• Power consumption in the on state: 27 W
• Features: USB 3.0 hub
• Screen type: IPS
• Aspect ratio: 16: 9
• Native resolution: QHD 2560 x 1440 at 60 Hz
• Pixel pitch: 0.233 mm
• Brightness: 350 cd / m²
• Contrast: 1000: 1
• Response time: 8 ms (normal); 5 ms (fast)
• Color support: 16.7 million colors
• Input ports: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C
• Screen coating: glare-free, 3H hard coating
• Dimensions (width x depth x height) - with stand: 61.22 cm x 18 cm x 39.02 cm

Test results: The workstation in daily work

The test kit was put through its paces by two designers in their daily work - here is their assessment.

1. Alexander Schenberg, designer in special machine construction (Solidworks 2017)

Mr. Schenberg, what experience have you had regarding the performance of the workstation?

The workstation is an all-round successful product : high display resolution and very sharp images. An example: When working with CAD models, tangential edges are often displayed in pixels, but not with this workstation.

In terms of computing power, the mobile workstation is comparable to a desktop workstation and works just as well.

The monitor has great quality and is really great for image editing. Even my color calibration device had nothing to complain about.

My stress test consisted of an assembly in Solidworks with several thousand parts . These were presented very well and fluently. Individual parts are easy to process, but working in large assemblies is difficult: From 2500 to 3000 parts there are problems.

What about haptics, optics and background noise?

Haptics and optics are excellent and the feature as a Surface device is great.

When using the mains, the fan starts up very quickly and becomes noticeably warm, which could have a negative effect on the battery performance in the long run.

Mobile working: What do you say about handling and battery performance?

The battery has a runtime of around six hours in normal use, and around three to four hours when working with CAD data . The charging time is about two hours.

Maybe a few words about weight?

What are your criticisms and what needs improvement? What else would you want from such a device?

The workstation has only one new UBS-C connection , so older devices have to be connected via adapters - this could be improved.

What do you say about the monitor?

The monitor convinced me with its great colors, but the resolution is lower than that of the workstation. The monitor has a wide field of view and working in sunlight is not a problem . However, I also tested the device with a program that prepares data for 3D printing and found that the video transmission does not run in real time. With Solidworks, it wasn't a problem.

Now for the mouse: what are your experiences?

The 3D mouse is a good thing: great feel, ergonomic fit, useful key assignment. In my view, it is unique that the mouse works on all surfaces . The mouse pad is non-slip and is well made, but actually not necessary. The only drawback to the 3D mouse is that the USB receiver cannot be stowed in the housing.

Your conclusion?

The mobile workstation is very suitable for mobile work , for daily work I have concerns about the heat generated.

Thank you very much, Mr Schenberg

CAD workstation

How visualization and AI change construction

2. Igor Augustinov, CAD administration and development of assemblies for the automotive industry and welding assemblies

Mr. Augustinov, what experience have you had regarding the performance of the workstation?

In addition to the familiar office applications, the workstation was tested with the Creo 6.0 CAD software and the Keyshot 8.0 rendering software. The performance in the CAD area can be described as very good . There were no problems - both with constructions in special machine construction with welded constructions.

When it came to rendering, however, I quickly reached the limits of the notebook ; on average, a similarly equipped desktop workstation was 30% faster. Because of this, the notebook is more of a backup solution for such applications.

What about haptics, optics and background noise?

Haptics and build quality leave nothing to be desired , here you can say that competing products, for example from Apple, are not better processed.

The background noise is pleasant when working with the CAD software Creo 6.0 and does not disturb.

Things look different with the rendering software Keyshot, here you have the feeling that the mobile workstation wanted to take off soon . However, it has to be said that this is quite similar with the desktop workstations, only it is not so noticeable because they are on the floor under the desk and there is a corresponding sound insulation through the table.

Mobile working: What do you say about handling and battery performance?

The battery performance is very good.

What are your criticisms and what needs improvement? What else would you want from such a device?

The only point of criticism is the topic with the rendering.

What do you say about the monitor?

An absolutely brilliant display at top level ; I always compare with Apple products and there is no difference.

Now for the mouse: what are your experiences?

The mouse is already in use by colleagues and they are completely satisfied , I personally have other requirements such as free programming of the keys. That's why I prefer to use the Logitech MX Master.

Your conclusion?

All in all a great product.