HP EliteBook 8570w Notebook Review: The Other Side of the Coin
by Dustin Sklavos on December 18, 2012 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
- Systems
- AMD
- HP
- Mobile Workstation
- Ivy Bridge
- GCN
- FirePro
Application and Futuremark Performance
While our review unit has a reasonable fast processor, the GPU is a relative unknown on the mobile side, and the PCMarks are going to drop like rocks due to the lack of an SSD or even SSD caching. The lack of switchable graphics in the HP EliteBook 8570w also means users won't get the benefit of Quick Sync, but the AMD GPU makes it a poor choice for doing video editing anyhow due to the lack of AMD support in the current version of Adobe's Mercury Playback Engine.
The lack of an SSD or any kind of caching absolutely kills the test results in the PCMarks. Remember that you can order the 8570w with either an SSD cache or a system SSD, although you can't order it with a system SSD in the mSATA slot (something Dell does allow you to do).
It turns out that the AMD FirePro 4000M is also a mite slower than the other graphics options, and roughly on par with the GeForce GT 650M in the Samsung Series 7, at least where graphical horsepower is concerned.
When we start pushing just the CPU, though, the EliteBook 8570w starts to come into its own, offering performance comparable to ther i7-3720QM-based systems. Though I've mentioned my concerns with heat (more on that in a bit), it doesn't seem to be seriously affecting overall system performance as the 8570w is lining up just fine.
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Stuka87 - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
5 displays? The docks only have up to two outputs. I am technically running triple head as I have the laptop (M4600) open, and then dual Dell 2412M displays.And as I said int he comments for the 6700, I love my precision, its a bit heavy but great otherwise. It works hard and does what I need.
DanNeely - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
Has Dell issued a new, less capable dock? My E series dock has 1 each DVI, DP, and VGA ports; using both the sandy bridge IGP and the Quadro I can drive all 3 external outputs and my Latitude's built in LCD at the same time.I'd like to try running a 4th external display from one of the laptop's video out's instead; but haven't managed to finagle a 4th monitor at the office.
blue_falcon - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
They have an Eport plus that has 2 DVI, 2 DP, and 1 VGA and has the legacy ports (if needed).http://dell.to/UHZTE5
Kevin G - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
Is the DP port support v1.2 of the spec? If so, you may be able to daisy-chain some displays or use a DP MST hub. Unfortunately, I've only seen one monitor capable of DP chaining to date and MST hubs are AWOL but continually promised 'soon'.DanNeely - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
No idea. Without a daisychainable (or a DP capable 2560x1440/1600) monitor; how would I check this?Goodstorybro - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
Agreed - with the heavy discounts from Dell and Lenovo, I don't see how the HP is attractive.You can really get a pretty good system for the price if you do some of the upgrades yourself. I got my build at under $2100 shipped:
Thinkpad W530 with : 3820qm i7, K2000m Quadro, 32gb RAM, 15.6 FHD, 240gb SSD + 750GB 7200 HDD, WP8, fingerprint reader, ultimate N wifi, 2yr accidental coverage
Doesn't get too much better than that in the 15.6" workstation market.
deamon0 - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
I have seen a couple examples and a lot of stories that HP manufactured laptops are not as reliable as Lenovo or Toshiba. The HP's heating issue seems to be common among many laptops. I thinks this laptop is not worth the price at all!I think we have better options from other better brands for a better price.
By the way it'd be much interesting read if you could review the Toshiba Qosmio X875-Q7380 laptop. There aren't any reviews of it elsewhere.
Hrel - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
Can you guys please review this Lenovo?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
Honestly looks like the perfect combination of features for a balanced gaming rig at a VERY fair price from a company that, based on every time I've worked with their business offerings, has a flawless record of reliability.
joos2000 - Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - link
With that PGU it's hardly suitable for workstation duties.Hrel - Thursday, January 17, 2013 - link
yeah, that consumer laptop is totally designed for that. *sarcasmI have no interest in work station duties.