Dell Precision 5510: The Best 3D Printing Laptop

Having a good laptop is important when you are 3D printing. Nothing beats having a portable computer to move around as you print your parts. In this review we look at our favorite laptop, the Dell Precision 5510.

Let’s take a look at the Dell Precision 5510 model to see how it compares to other laptops in its price range. As Dell’s second generation ultra-portable 15.6-inch mobile workstation, the laptop offers performance as well as portability. The design follows the classic Dell sleek look in a more compact and lightweight package. The small size in partly thanks to the ‘Infinity Display’ feature which includes an ultra-thin 6mm bezel. The display reaches the edges of the laptop, which also adds to the compactness and beauty of the design. The general build of the model is excellent, with an aluminum covering protecting the Ultrasharp PremierColor 4K touch display against bumps and the carbon fiber keyword adding a soft and cool place to rest the palm.

3D Design

The model is particularly great for working with CAD. It uses an Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 CPU, with a very solid 2.80GHz and four cores that allow for multi-thread operations. The 16GB memory allows for the smooth running of most of the heavier programs, and an extra 16GB can be added for more heavy duty use. The CPU does not carry an Error Correcting Code, which would be a pretty useful safeguard against any crashes due to background radiation. Lengthy simulations or renderings might cause a problem, but anything else can be dealt with without resorting to the ECC.

The acoustics on the Precision 5510 model are the best of all laptops in the same category. The fan isn’t kicked into high gear for the simplest of calculations, so the laptop stays pretty quiet while performing most of its rendering functions.

With a 4K resolution, there are enough pixels to handle complicated simulation actions. With 18 frames per second, the programs can be navigated precisely for most graphic design actions. Battery life is very solid, and the I/O ports combine Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 1.2 and Ethernet. In addition, you have two USB 3.0 ports along with Power share and an SD card reader, HDMI, and headphones and microphone combo jack. Bluetooth 4.0 and Dual-Band 2×2 802.11 ac Wireless LAN are standard.

Other Specifications

The model doesn’t give off a lot of heat even while performing intensive tasks, and it doesn’t carry too much bloatware. You also get Microsoft Office 365 for a month on a free trial. The best type of warranty to opt for with this laptop would be a one-year limited warranted for parts and labor, although you can also get an extended warranty for an extra $114.80. The webcam offers a clear resolution and no significant problems in terms of latency issues. The dual speakers pack a solid punch, and you can use the pre-installed MaxxAudio Pro sound tools to adjust the sound to your preference.

All in all, the 5510 is a premium quality 15 inch workstation which offers great performance, a beautiful ultra-HD screen and a compact body. It’s the perfect tool for those who work a lot with CAD renderings at a professional level. Overall, we think this is the best laptop for people interested in 3D printing.