Dell Precision 3541 review: Budget mobile workstation with many hardware options, some issues
Dell'due south 3000 lineup of mobile workstations includes the Precision 3541, a 15-inch notebook bachelor in budget configurations with average hardware, upwards to powerful models with Intel Xeon processors (CPU) and NVIDIA Quadro dedicated graphics (GPU). The Precision 3000 lineup isn't as thin and low-cal or equally powerful compared to the 5000 and 7000 models, but it's also considerably more affordable. I used the 3541 for a calendar week to see what it'southward all almost and whether or not information technology's worth beingness your next mobile workstation.
Mobile workstation
Dell Precision 3541
From $829
Bottom line: Dell's Precision 3541 is available with tons of configurations, though prices climb apace. Information technology's a great performer if you're on a budget, but for true workstation performance, there are better options out there.
Pros
- Deep configuration options for pros
- Upgradeable RAM, SSD
- IR camera and fingerprint reader
- LTE connectivity available
- Lots of ports
Cons
- Keyboard could be a lot improve
- Runs quite hot
- No 4K brandish option
- Prices climb chop-chop
Dell Precision 3541 at a glance
Dell provided Windows Central with a review unit of measurement of the 15.half dozen-inch Precision 3541 mobile workstation. This exact model includes a ninth Gen Intel Cadre i7-9750H CPU, 16GB of DDR4-2666MHz non-ECC RAM, 512GB One thousand.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD), and NVIDIA Quadro P620 dedicated GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM. It also includes a 15.6-inch non-bear on display with 1920x1080 (FHD) resolution. Look to pay about $1,874 for this review model with included Windows 10 Pro and 97Wh battery.
Models start at about $829 for a non-touch HD display, ninth Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB SATA hard-disk bulldoze. This is a relatively inexpensive starting toll, but these models are no uncertainty reserved for bulk Enterprise buys. If you're shopping for yourself, go with at least an FHD display, 8GB of RAM, and an M.two PCIe SSD.
In that location are deep configuration options available for the Precision 3541, assuasive you to get exactly what you need without having to overpay. If y'all're looking to get the most operation for design and development piece of work, add an Intel Xeon Due east-2276M CPU with six cores, NVIDIA Quadro P620 GPU, 32GB of mistake-correcting code (ECC) RAM, and 2TB PCIe SSD coupled with a 2TB SATA HDD. With an Intel Wi-Fi 6 adapter, 97Wh battery, and Intel XMM 7360 LTE modem, you lot're looking at spending most $2,845.
Here are the verbal specs constitute within the review unit of the Dell Precision 3541.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Display | 15.6 inches 1920x1080 (FHD) Non-touch, |
| Processor | 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H Vi cores, upward to 4.5GHz |
| RAM | 16GB non-ECC DDR4-2666MHz Dual-channel |
| Storage | 512GB Thousand.2 PCIe NVMe SSD Course xl |
| Graphics | NVIDIA Quadro P620 4GB GDDR5 VRAM |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 3 Three USB-A iii.i HDMI RJ45 Ethernet microSD menu reader 3.5mm sound Wedge lock slot SIM |
| Keyboard | Three-stage backlight |
| Touchpad | Precision touchpad |
| Audio | Dual integrated |
| Camera | 720p front-facing |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint reader IR camera |
| Wireless | Intel Dual Band Wireless-Ac 9560 802.11ac (2 x 2) Bluetooth v.0 |
| Battery | 97Wh |
| Dimensions | 14.14 10 nine.iii ten 0.86 inches (359.1mm ten 236.2mm x 21.9mm) |
| Weight | four.34 pounds (one.97kg) |
What you'll love near the Dell Precision 3541
The Precision 3541 is fabricated upwards of a carbon fiber polymer that helps go along the weight downward, and there is an aluminum pick if you'd like something a chip more robust. There's nothing exactly heady about the design, but it's considerably lighter and has a smaller footprint than many other 15-inch workstations nosotros've reviewed. Information technology'southward a laptop made for professionals who are more interested in productivity than showing off.
The relatively chunky body has plenty of room for ports, with Thunderbolt iii, USB-A 3.ane, and barrel charging port on the left side. The Thunderbolt 3 port can likewise be used for charging, and will work well with a docking station for increased connectivity. On the right side are some other two USB-A 3.1, HDMI, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, a microSD carte du jour reader, SIM slot, and wedge lock slot. Our review unit of measurement did not include an LTE modem, though one tin be added for virtually $140.
Dual hinges let the lid to open to 180 degrees with a smooth action. They're stiff enough to concord the brandish in place when moving around, yet you can open up the laptop with one hand when it'due south sitting flat. To log in securely, yous have the option of a fingerprint reader built into the power button or an IR camera. Both piece of work promptly and accurately, and in that location's even a webcam shutter for the standard HD front-facing camera. I just wish the switch wasn't on the forepart directly adjacent to the camera array where, when touched, leaves noticeable smudges. Bezel along the sides is quite thin, and the upper bezel and lower chin match in size for a slick look.
Dell offers a few display options, though they top out at 1920x1080 (FHD) and dip as low as 1366x768 (Hard disk). For Enterprise buys the depression-res screens make sense, simply if y'all're buying for yourself, go with at least FHD. Our review unit has an FHD non-impact console with a matte finish, and for the nigh role, information technology offers a cracking expect. It gets bright plenty to combat glare, and in my testing measures 99% sRGB and 77% AdobeRGB color reproduction. Other choices include touch or non-touch and level of colour reproduction. Touch panels aren't about as colorful and suck upward more battery power, while non-touch panels offer virtually-perfect sRGB and less ability describe.
Dell's Precision 3541 offers deep customization options so you can get the performance yous desire without overspending.
Dual speakers are positioned toward the front of the bottom of the laptop, and they offer impressive sound. Acme-mounted is e'er preferred, especially for a notebook, but even with the PC sitting in my lap, I got clear and crisp sound. Removing the bottom panel is pain-free, and you become access to M.2 SSD, two.five-inch SATA storage, dual RAM slots, and Wi-Fi and LTE cards for future upgrades after buy. Yous tin get upwardly to 32GB of ECC RAM, 2TB M.2 SSD, and 2TB SATA HDD straight from the factory, so yous tin can equip a powerful car that won't need DIY upgrades if y'all're not comfortable with the procedure.
An enormous 97Wh bombardment, which is the summit of what Dell offers, takes up almost half of the space inside. Opting for the larger battery (97Wh compared to 51Wh) merely costs about $50, and it's a worthwhile investment. With brandish brightness at about 50% and with a "Better performance" battery plan, the Precision 3541 carried on for more than 10 hours without needing a charge. Keep in mind a touch display, and specialized work would sap this number, simply if you lot're not pushing the dedicated GPU, y'all should be able to hands exit your charger behind when you head out for the twenty-four hours.
Dell includes Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certification for popular design and development software, guaranteeing the laptop volition work optimally for specialized work. There's besides something called Dell Precision Optimizer (DPO) that recognizes when certain programs are running and specifically optimizes your PC. You can opt for up to a 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9880H vPro or Xeon Due east-2276M Xeon vPro CPU for awesome operation, though I'grand unsure how well the laptop would do to keep things cool and unthrottled. I ran some synthetic benchmarks with the Core i7-9750H CPU and NVIDIA Quadro P620 GPU to go an thought of how well the Precision 3541 stacks upwards confronting other laptops we've reviewed.
CPU
Geekbench five.0 Benchmarks (Higher is meliorate)
| Device | CPU | Single cadre | Multi cadre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Precision 3541 | i7-9750H | 1117 | 4720 |
With updated Geekbench five test, the 9th Gen Core i7-9750H scores well. On the Geekbench 4 scale, this CPU hits a 4,599 single-core score and an xviii,957 multi-cadre score.
PCMark
PCMark ten
| Device | Score |
|---|---|
| Dell Precision 3541 | iii,906 |
| HP Pavilion x360 xiv | 3,558 |
| Lenovo ThinkBook 13s | 3,468 |
| Chuwi AeroBook | 2,140 |
| Chuwi LapBook Plus | 961 |
GPU
Geekbench 5.0 OpenCL (higher is meliorate)
| Device | GPU | Compute score |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Precision 3541 | NVIDIA Quadro P620 | 12,469 |
On the Geekbench iv calibration, this GPU hits an OpenCL score of 53,577. To compare, something similar the NVIDIA Quadro P2000 hits a GB4 OpenCL score of 76,554, and the NVIDIA Quadro P3200 available in Lenovo's ThinkPad P52 hits a GB4 score of 126,842. It's not the best option for specialized piece of work, simply information technology's more than affordable than beefier options.
SSD
CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)
| Device | Read | Write |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Precision 3541 | 3,468.8 MB/south | two,220.4 MB/s |
| HP Pavilion x360 fourteen | 537.viii MB/s | 195.4 MB/s |
| Lenovo ThinkBook 13s | one,604.1 MB/due south | 851.4 MB/s |
| Chuwi AeroBook | 530.i MB/s | 476.ii MB/s |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T490s | three,060.7 MB/s | 1,542.three MB/southward |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T490 | three,254.8 MB/due south | two,954.ix MB/south |
| Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 | 3,110 MB/s | 2,825 MB/s |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X390 | 3,024 MB/s | i,563.2 MB/s |
| Huawei MateBook Ten Pro | 3,0416 MB/south | 2,779 MB/due south |
Read and write speeds are excellent from the Course 40 Thousand.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, and you lot can upgrade to Course fifty if yous need fifty-fifty amend performance directly from the manufacturing plant.
What you lot'll dislike about the Dell Precision 3541
Something you're going to notice immediately is heat direction. The Precision 3541 is equipped with a unmarried fan, and fifty-fifty browsing the web with a bit of video streaming seemed to heat things upwards to a noticeable point. With the dedicated GPU humming, you'll accept a tough fourth dimension keeping this PC on your lap, and you're no incertitude going to come across thermal throttling. That'due south with a Cadre i7 CPU, nevermind Cadre i9 or Xeon options.
A 4K panel would be a welcome addition here, but for that y'all'll accept to make the jump to Precision 5000 models. If you're in demand of perfect AdobeRGB or DCI-P3 color, y'all'll also have much better luck with the more expensive laptop, equally the 3541 offers only precise sRGB color.
This laptop is designed for productivity purposes, but the full-size keyboard with number pad isn't all that great. It has comfy fundamental travel and a three-stage backlight, but some of the chiclet keys are sticky, there'south a lot of flex near the centre of the lath, and the secondary pointing system, which competes with Lenovo's TrackPoint, is useless without the nub centered between G, H, and B keys. It fell out at some point, never to exist seen again. This makes me question the overall immovability of the device, especially since these types of laptops are often put through elevated stress in the field. On the other hand, the Precision touchpad works well and includes physical right and left click buttons.
Should you buy the Dell Precision 3541?
Dell's Precision 3541 starts at a modest price, though baseline sub-$ane,000 models don't include a dedicated GPU, FHD display, or PCIe SSD. If you're looking for entry workstation functioning you'll have to spend at least about $1,470, and that still doesn't include an M.2 PCIe SSD or larger 97Wh battery. What the Precision 3541 does accept going for it is deep manufactory customization, generous port option, IR photographic camera and fingerprint reader options, upgradeable hardware, and a display that'southward bright and authentic in the sRGB space. Opting for the massive 97Wh battery also allows for a full day of use without a charge.
The review unit of measurement nosotros tested costs about $i,874 and is just scratching the surface of specialized work. At that point, making the jump to a Dell Precision 5540 or Lenovo ThinkPad P53 makes a lot of sense, both in terms of quality and features available. If yous are trying to stick to a tight budget, though, the Precision 3541 might exist just what you're looking for.
Mobile workstation
Dell Precision 3541
Productivity on a budget
The Precision 3541'south keyboard and thermals leave something to be desired, but super battery life and enough of configuration options keep it in the running for a budget workstation.
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