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New Laptop - Dell Precision 7530 - i5-8400H - P2000 - and tips on installing Linux Mint 20.1 Cinnamon

Dell Precision 7530 Workstation: A Brief Overview

Purchase Details

  • Price: ~$250 on eBay
  • Model: Dell Precision 7530
  • Processor: 8th Gen Intel i5-8400H
  • GPU: Mid-tier P2000 (higher-end options available, such as P3200 6GB)

Key Features

  • Customizability: This model is designed for easy configuration and component replacement, making it ideal for business settings where IT support is involved.
  • Value: Comparable configurations typically range from $350 to $500, making my purchase a solid deal for the specifications.

Decision to Sell

  • Reason for Selling: The Precision 7530 proved to be more powerful than I need. My older HP laptops (4th and 6th Gen) are sufficient for my current usage.
  • Future Considerations:
    • While the 4th Gen HP is reliable, the 6th Gen will need replacement by 2025 due to Windows 10 reaching its end of life.
    • I'll hold off on purchasing a new laptop for a few more years, as newer models are becoming more affordable.

In summary, while the Dell Precision 7530 is an impressive workstation with great features, I realized it’s not necessary for my needs. Selling it will help me stick to more practical options until my current machines require an upgrade.


Reasons to Choose the Dell Precision 7530

A. Performance vs. Needs: i9/P3200 vs. i5/P2000 - Overkill

While the Dell Precision 7530 can be configured with a top-of-the-line Intel i9 processor and P3200 GPU, this setup is unnecessary for most users. My research indicated that the mid-tier i5-8400H and P2000 GPU would perform adequately for my tasks, as limitations in the motherboard and architecture would prevent the higher-end configurations from being fully utilized.

B. Abundant Spare Parts

Opting for a business model like the Precision 7530 means access to a wide array of spare parts. Many companies offload older technology, leading to a surplus of listings on auction sites for this specific model. In contrast, consumer laptops like my HPs have far fewer listings due to lower sales volumes. Released in June 2018, the Precision 7530 still offers decent specs, significantly outperforming my older i3-4010u and i7-6700hq.

C. Value Proposition: 40% the Cost of Modern Gaming Laptops

The Precision 7530 represents an excellent value compared to entry-level modern gaming laptops. While a basic gaming laptop with an RTX 3050 typically costs $600 to $900, my 7530 with a P2000 GPU provides similar capabilities at about 40% of that price. Though gaming laptops come pre-configured and ready to use, the Precision 7530 can be transformed into a competent machine with some upgrades, making it a cost-effective option.

My Specs

  • Brand: Dell
  • Model: Precision 7530
  • Processor: Intel i5-8400H (8th Generation)
  • RAM: 32GB (2x 16GB DDR4 SDRAM)
  • Hard Drive: m.2 NVME 256GB
  • Screen: 15"
  • GPU: NVIDIA Quadro P2000 (4GB)
  • Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth

Port Selection

  • USB 3.1: 2x
  • USB-C: 2x
  • SD Card Reader
  • Internal SIM Card Slot
  • HDMI Out
  • DVI Out (possibly)
  • Ethernet Port

Internal Expansion

  • m.2 PCIe slots: 3 (one can be converted for a 2.5" SATA with an adapter)
  • RAM Slots: 4

Linux Mint Installation Experience

Since the 7530 didn't come with an operating system, I chose to install Linux Mint 20.01 Cinnamon to test hardware functionality. Here’s how I navigated the process:

Tools Used

  • USB Drive: Sandisk Extreme 3.0 - 64GB
  • Linux Distribution: Linux Mint 20.01 Cinnamon

BIOS Access and Settings

To enter the BIOS, press F2 during the Dell logo screen. The required BIOS settings for a successful Linux installation were:

  • Boot Sequence: UEFI - enabled
  • Legacy Options: Enabled
  • SATA Operation: AHCI - checked
  • Secure Boot: Unchecked

Troubleshooting

  1. Boot Issues with m.2 HDD: Initially confused, I discovered UEFI needed to be enabled for the system to boot correctly. This requirement is different from older laptops where I often disabled UEFI.
  2. USB Media Compatibility: Some multiboot USB keys were ineffective, so creating standalone Linux ISO images was the better approach.

Configuring Linux Mint

I installed various useful applications for benchmarking and performance evaluation:

  • Hardinfo: Benchmarking tool
  • KDiskMark: HDD speed benchmarking
  • GParted: Partition editor
  • Wine: Windows API compatibility layer
  • VLC: Media player

I also installed NVIDIA drivers for the P2000 GPU, enabling performance mode.

First Impressions

For $250, the Precision 7530 is an outstanding value. The build quality feels premium, reminiscent of older laptops before cost-cutting became common. Accessing the motherboard is straightforward, allowing easy upgrades to RAM and storage.

Future Plans

I upgraded to Linux Mint 21.2 without much hassle, and I’m considering dual-booting Windows 10 alongside Linux Mint. My laptop fleet now includes:

  • Dell Precision 7530: Dual boot (Windows/Linux)
  • HP AB292NR: i7-6700HQ - Windows 10
  • HP 15F010DX: i3-4010u - Linux

Budget for Upgrades

To maximize the Dell’s potential for gaming, I plan to invest in:

  • 1TB m.2 NVME SSD: $40
  • 32GB USB Drive (for Windows ISO): $10
  • Windows 11 License: $35

Total Estimated Cost: $310 to create a dual-boot system.

 

Useful Linux Commands for File Permissions

Open Terminal, then navigate to the Home Directory with cd /. List files using ls, change to your desired directory with cd /usr/share/games/endless-sky/data, and finally, change file permissions with sudo chmod 777 ships.txt to grant read-write access to all users. Enter your password when prompted.







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