Considering the amount of technology on offer in this 17-inch model from Scan, 3XS MGW-10 wins hands down on value for money.
With an Intel Core i7-4800MQ CPU, Nvidia Quadro K3000M GPU and 32GB RAM, it has a spec to rival a mid-range desktop workstation.
A 250GB Samsung 840 Evo mSATA SSD provides fast storage for OS and apps, while a 2.5-inch 1TB Hitachi Travelstar HDD will hold the bulk of your CAD data. With room for an additional 2.5-inch and mSATA drive there’s plenty scope to expand. RAID 0/1 is supported in pairs.
The Clevo P170SM chassis (also used by Workstation Specialists in its WS-M1760) is plasticky in places and, compared to the Dell Precision M6800 or HP ZBook 17, a little uninspiring.
That’s not to say it isn’t wellbuilt, but when one can customise the backlit keyboard with flashing colours, it’s obvious Clevo only has one eye on the professional user.
The Quadro K3000M is of a slightly older generation of GPUs than the K3100M and didn’t reach the same heights as Schenker’s W503. Scan says this is down to supplier availability rather than cost, so
it’s probably worth waiting for the newer GPU to come online, which should be soon.
Overall, the machine offers solid performance, good expandability and great value for money, making it a costeffective alternative to a mainstream desktop CAD workstation.
To view comparative scores from other workstations please click here
For details of all our specific CAD/CAM/CAE benchmarks click here
This review is part of a comprehensive buyer’s guide to mobile workstations.
Below are links to the rest of the content
Ultra mobile workstations (14-inch and 15-inch)
HP ZBook 14
Dell Precision M3800
Mid-range 15-inch mobile workstations
Schencker W503
HP ZBook 15
Dell Precision M4800
Lenovo ThinkPad W540
High-end 17-inch mobile workstations
Dell Precision M6800
Workstation Specialists WS-M1760
Click here to download a PDF of the entire mobile workstation buyer’s guide which includes a comprehensive matrix of all the specifications
Specifications
» Intel Core i7-4800MQ (2.70GHz up to 3.7GHz) (4 cores, 8 threads)
» 32GB (4 x 8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance RAM 1,600MHz
» NVIDIA Quadro K3000M (2GB GDDR5)
» 250GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD + 1TB Hitachi Travelstar 7K10000 + Samsung DVD writer
» Graphics driver 332.21
» Screen 17.3” HD 1,920 x 1,080 backlit LED display
» Keyboard / Mouse Full size keyboard with numeric keypad Touch pad with multi-gesture and scrolling
» Battery 8-cell (77Wh) Lithium Ion battery
» Wireless Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235, 300Mbps & Bluetooth
» Ports 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 1 x eSATA / USB 3.0. RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet. Mini Firewire
» Expansion / security 9-in-1 memory card reader
» Display outputs DisplayPort, Mini DP, HDMi
» No dedicated docking port
» Size (W x D x H) 412 x 276 x 45-42mm
» Weight (machine + power adapter) Starting at 3.9kg + 1.1kg
» Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional 64-bit
» 2 Years Collect and Return (screen 1st year only)
CPU benchmarks
(secs – smaller is better)
CAM (Delcam PowerMill 2010) – (i) 169 (ii) 266 (iii) 376
CAE (SolidWorks 2010 Simulation) – N/A
Rendering (3ds Max Design 2011) – 237
Graphics benchmarks
(bigger is better)
CAD (SolidWorks 2013 – SPECapc graphics composite) – 4.75
CAD (Creo 2.0 – SPECapc graphics test) – 5.31
Intel Core i7-4800MQ (2.70GHz up to 3.7GHz) (4 cores, 8 threads)
32GB (4 x 8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance RAM 1,600MHz
NVIDIA Quadro K3000M (2GB GDDR5)
N/A
250GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD + 1TB Hitachi Travelstar 7K10000 + Samsung DVD writer
2 Years Collect and Return (screen 1st year only)
N/A
169
266
376
N/A
237
N/A
