Dell Precision 5550 test
Dell Precision 5550 test
The Dell Precision 5550 is a model that catches the eye at first glance: slim, sleek and yet extremely robust. It is a true mobile workstation designed for the most demanding users who want not only performance but also reliability in a compact form factor. Dell has equipped this model with 10th generation Intel processors, in my case the i7-10875H model, which guarantees plenty of computing power for data-intensive tasks. The Precision 5550 was designed as a workhorse for professionals, from engineers to graphic designers, who need advanced technology support on the go.
Dell Precision 5550 big performance in a compact form factor
The Precision 5550 is available with an Nvidia Quadro graphics card, the variant I tested is the T2000 model. It's not the most powerful graphics card in the range - it lacks the RT and Tensor cores that are available in the Quadro RTX versions and are essential for more demanding tasks such as ray tracing and machine learning. Nevertheless, the Quadro T2000 with 4 GB of VRAM performs quite well, especially for CPU-oriented tasks. For more complex graphics tasks, it may not be able to keep up with the higher-end models, but for many users its capabilities will be sufficient.
The Precision 5550 uses memory that is expandable up to 64 GB, including an ECC error correction option. With this configuration, the Precision 5550 is suitable for the most demanding tasks without the risk of data loss. In addition, Dell offers up to 4TB of storage on two SSDs with the option of RAID 0 or 1 configurations, giving users flexibility depending on their priorities: Speed or Security.
Another important advantage of the Precision 5550 is its screen. Dell offers users two variants of the 15.6-inch display - a 4K display with touch and a non-touch option with a lower FHD resolution. The 4K display impresses with color saturation and a brightness of over 300 nits. The 100% sRGB and Adobe RGB color reproduction makes the Precision 5550 ideal for graphics and photo editing tasks. The integrated Dell PremiereColor software allows for customization of display parameters, which graphics and video editing professionals will appreciate.
In terms of dimensions, the Precision 5550 is one of the smallest devices in this class - it is extremely thin, although it weighs almost 2 kg with a larger 86 Wh battery. While this is still relatively light for a portable workstation, it's worth bearing in mind that it's not the lightest notebook on the market. The number of ports available consists mainly of USB-C: three ports, with the two on the left supporting Thunderbolt 3 and the one on the right functioning as USB 3.1. However, the classic USB-A port is missing here - Dell includes an adapter that covers USB-C to USB-A and HDMI, which makes life easier but requires an extra accessory in the bag.
Comfort, work and extras
The Precision 5550 is not just about performance, but also about well thought-out ergonomics. The notebook has a fingerprint reader in the power button, which quickly and reliably recognizes the user's fingerprint after a familiarization phase. The keyboard is comfortable, although the keys are flat - typing is pleasant, and the built-in backlight allows you to work in poor lighting conditions. Underneath is a large touchpad, reminiscent of the touchpads on MacBooks - very comfortable, even if it can sometimes be too sensitive to accidental touches.
Dell has equipped the Precision 5550 with the Dell Optimizer software, which uses artificial intelligence to automatically adapt the performance of the device to the applications being run. In practice, the tool provides small but noticeable improvements, especially during intensive use.
Performance and noise development
The Intel i7 -10875H processor in the Precision 5550 shows its capabilities during the load tests. During the initial phase of the Prime95 test, the clock rate rises to 4.2 GHz, but quickly stabilizes at 3.4-3.5 GHz when 100 °C is reached. After a few minutes, it stabilizes at 2.8-2.9 GHz and a core temperature of 75°C. These are quite decent results, although under maximum load - in the simultaneous Prime95 and FurMark test - the clock rate drops to 1.2 GHz, a limitation due to the thermal management in a device of this class.
The Precision 5550's fan noise can be surprising - under heavy load, it produces a noise of 40-50 dB(A), which is reminiscent of the volume of Gaming notebooks. It is then worth using the Dell Power Manager, which allows the user to adjust the fan operation and system performance to the task at hand. For those working in quiet environments, this is a particularly important feature.
With its 86 Wh battery, the Dell Precision 5550 offers a battery performance that sets it apart from other workstations in its class, allowing the notebook to run on battery power for up to 5 hours with moderate use and around 11 hours with maximum power saving, which is an important advantage for professionals who work on the move - even with intensive tasks, longer operating times can be expected.
In battery mode, however, the Precision 5550 shows limited graphics performance - in the Fire Strike test, it achieved a value of 20806 for the CPU and 6475 for the GPU in battery mode, while the values in mains mode were 15535 and 8416 respectively.The higher values of the CPU in battery mode are due to the cooler state before the start of the test.
Conclusion
The Dell Precision 5550 is an impressive offering for professionals looking for a powerful and mobile workstation with a large display and long battery life. Although performance can be thermally limited under full load and the Quadro T2000 graphics are inferior to the RTX models, the Precision 5550 offers enough power for most professional applications. Precision craftsmanship, advanced security features, excellent video and audio quality, and functional Dell Optimizer software make the Precision 5550 a machine that prioritizes comfort, reliability, and high computing power that catches the eye and allows users to work efficiently for hours on end.