In today's demanding professional landscape, the need for robust computing power that doesn't compromise on portability is paramount. Enter the Dell Precision 5690, a 16-inch mobile workstation engineered to meet the intense workloads of engineers, designers, content creators, and researchers alike. This machine aims to deliver exceptional performance and premium features in a sleek and relatively lightweight design. Let's delve into what makes the Dell Precision 5690 a compelling option for professionals seeking top-tier capabilities on the go.
What Defines a Mobile Workstation?
Before diving into the specifics of the Precision 5690, it's crucial to understand what distinguishes a mobile workstation from a typical laptop. Mobile workstations are built for high-intensity tasks over extended periods. Unlike standard laptops designed for lighter, shorter bursts of activity, these powerhouses are engineered to handle demanding applications 24/7, making them ideal for professionals who require sustained high performance.
Under the Hood: Powering Professional Workflows
The Dell Precision 5690 is equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra H-series processors. These processors, including options ranging from the Core Ultra 5 up to the Core Ultra 9, are designed for high-speed performance. Notably, these new Intel chips feature a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), also known as AI Boost, focused on accelerating artificial intelligence tasks. Dell configures these processors with a 45-watt base CPU power, ensuring ample processing capability.
For memory, the Precision 5690 can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM. It's important to note that the memory is soldered onto the system board and is not user-upgradable after purchase. Therefore, selecting the correct amount of RAM at the time of purchase is crucial.
Storage needs are addressed with two M.2 slots supporting 2280 format SSDs. This allows for ample storage capacity and the option for RAID configurations for enhanced performance or data redundancy.
Graphics capabilities are a cornerstone of any workstation, and the Precision 5690 offers a range of options. It features integrated Intel Arc graphics for power efficiency in less demanding tasks. However, for intensive graphical workloads, it can be equipped with discrete NVIDIA RTX professional GPUs, ranging from the RTX 1000 Ada generation up to the powerful RTX 5000 Ada generation. These professional-grade GPUs provide the necessary power for smooth performance in applications like CAD, 3D rendering, video editing, and animation.
Design and Build: Professional Elegance and Robustness
The Dell Precision 5690 boasts a premium build quality with a chassis crafted from high-grade aluminum. This construction provides both durability and a sleek, professional aesthetic. The hinge mechanism is sturdy, ensuring smooth opening and closing without any wobble.
Weighing in at around 4.46 lbs (approximately 2.02 kg), the Precision 5690 strikes a balance between power and portability, making it relatively lightweight for a workstation with such potent internals. Dell has also incorporated an efficient cooling system with strategically placed vents to prevent overheating during demanding tasks. The internal thermal design features a dual fan and dual heat pipe system with airflow directed outwards at the back. Testing has shown that even under 100% load, the fan noise remains relatively steady and not excessively loud, especially considering its workstation classification.
The Precision 5690 has also undergone MIL-STD 810H torture tests, proving its resilience against travel hazards like shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures. The aluminum exterior exhibits minimal flex, further reinforcing its robust build.
Visual Experience: Display Options for Professionals
Dell offers the Precision 5690 with two primary 16-inch display options: a Full HD+ IPS display and a UHD+ OLED touchscreen display.
The Full HD+ (1920x1200) IPS display features an aspect ratio of 16:10 and a matte finish. It has a maximum brightness rating of 500 nits and a refresh rate of 60Hz. Notably, this display offers surprisingly high color accuracy, with measurements around 99.9% sRGB coverage, 86.7% Adobe RGB coverage, and 96.4% DCI-P3 coverage. This level of color accuracy is crucial for general professional tasks, including photo and video editing.
For professionals demanding the highest visual fidelity, the UHD+ (3840x2400) OLED touchscreen display provides vibrant colours and deep blacks, ideal for colour-critical work. This option typically has a glossier finish and a maximum brightness of around 400 nits. While it may consume slightly more battery, its superior colour accuracy and contrast make it a preferred choice for creative professionals. Dell's PremierColor software allows users to fine-tune display settings, including colour gamuts, brightness, contrast, and gamma.
Comfortable Input: Keyboard and Touchpad
The Precision 5690 features a compact island-style keyboard that offers a comfortable typing experience with good key travel and tactile feedback. While it lacks a dedicated numeric keypad, the keyboard is backlit with a white light, enhancing usability in low-light environments. The power button, located on the top right, doubles as a fingerprint reader for enhanced security and quick login via Windows Hello. The keyboard is also spill-proof, adding another layer of durability.
The large haptic touchpad is responsive and precise, providing smooth navigation and gesture support. While some CAD users might miss dedicated physical buttons, Windows allows for configuring a three-finger tap for middle mouse button functionality. The haptic feedback provides a faint click sensation.
Connectivity: Essential Ports for Professionals
The Precision 5690 is equipped with a selection of modern ports to cater to professional connectivity needs:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports with Power Delivery: Offering high-speed data transfer rates (up to 40 Gbps) and support for DisplayPort 1.4 for connecting multiple high-resolution monitors.
- One USB 3.2 Type-C port with DisplayPort: Providing versatile connectivity options for peripherals and displays.
- One full-size HDMI 2.1 port: Supporting high-definition video output for connecting to external monitors and projectors.
- One universal audio port: For connecting headphones or external speakers.
- One SD card slot: Particularly useful for photographers and videographers for quick file transfers.
- One Smart Card reader: A handy feature for users requiring secure access and authentication.
- A security lock slot.
Notably, the Precision 5690 does not include any legacy USB Type-A ports. However, Dell includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box to address this. For wireless connectivity, the laptop features the latest Intel Wi-Fi 7 for faster and more reliable internet and Bluetooth 5.4 for connecting wireless peripherals.
Performance: Handling Demanding Tasks with Ease
The Dell Precision 5690 is engineered for blazing performance in demanding applications. The combination of powerful Intel Core Ultra processors, ample RAM, fast SSD storage, and professional-grade NVIDIA RTX graphics ensures smooth and efficient handling of tasks such as:
- Web browsing and multitasking: Effortlessly managing multiple browser tabs and applications simultaneously.
- Photo and video editing: The high-resolution display and accurate colour reproduction, coupled with the power of the NVIDIA RTX GPU, make it ideal for software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
- 3D rendering and animation: The high core count of the Intel processors and the dedicated NVIDIA RTX GPU provide excellent performance in software like Autodesk Maya and Blender.
- Engineering and data science: The robust processing power and ISV certifications ensure compatibility and optimal performance with industry-standard software.
While primarily a professional workstation, the Precision 5690 also offers respectable gaming performance. With its powerful GPU, it can handle modern games at decent settings. Tests have shown playable frame rates in titles like Counter-Strike 2, GTA 5, Halo Infinite, Fortnite, and Valorant. For example, Counter-Strike 2 ran at a smooth 60 FPS on recommended high graphics settings, and GTA 5 achieved an average of 75 FPS on high settings. Valorant showed impressive performance with over 260 FPS. While not a dedicated gaming laptop, it can certainly provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
Benchmark tests have indicated that the Precision 5690 outperforms competitors like the HP ZBook Studio G10 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 in certain professional workloads.
Battery Life: Impressive Stamina for a Powerhouse
Despite its powerful hardware, the Dell Precision 5690 offers impressive battery life for a high-performance workstation. Equipped with a 99.5 Whr or 97 Whr battery, it can provide up to 11 hours of usage on a single charge in lighter tasks like web browsing and document editing. BsianTech's testing yielded 11 hours and 31 minutes in a modern office benchmark. Even under more demanding workloads, the battery life remains respectable. For instance, it achieved around 2 hours and 6 minutes of gaming and an impressive 14 hours and 31 minutes of video playback in BsianTech's tests. This all-day battery life capability enhances its portability and makes it a reliable companion for professionals on the move.
Audio and Webcam: Communication and Multimedia
The Precision 5690 features a quad-speaker setup with two user-facing speakers on either side of the keyboard and two bottom-mounted speakers. The audio quality is good with a balanced sound profile, offering decent bass and clear mids and highs. The maximum volume reached a peak of 88.8 dB, suitable for video conferencing and presentations even in moderately noisy environments.
The 1080p webcam with high dynamic range provides clear and detailed video quality, making it suitable for professional video conferencing. While some sources noted it might be slightly noisy or struggle with colour accuracy in certain conditions, it supports features like auto framing, eye contact, and background blur through Windows Camera and Dell's Optimizer software, which also helps reduce background noise during calls. Disappointingly, the webcam lacks a physical privacy shutter.
Upgradability: Limited RAM, Flexible Storage
As mentioned earlier, the RAM on the Dell Precision 5690 is soldered to the motherboard and is not user-upgradable. This necessitates careful consideration of memory requirements at the time of purchase.
However, the Precision 5690 offers more flexibility in terms of storage. It features two M.2 NVMe slots, allowing users to upgrade or replace the SSDs themselves. The laptop supports up to 4TB of M.2 NVMe SSD storage, providing ample space for professional applications and large files.
Who is the Dell Precision 5690 For?
The Dell Precision 5690 is designed for power users who need a balance between portability and high performance. Its target audience includes:
- Engineers and designers requiring robust processing and professional graphics for CAD, simulation, and design software.
- Content creators working with video editing, graphic design, 3D rendering, and animation.
- Data scientists and medical professionals handling large datasets and demanding computational tasks.
- Researchers who need to run high-intensity tasks for extended durations.
While it can handle gaming, it is primarily geared towards professional workflows where reliability, performance, and colour accuracy are paramount.
Price Point: A Premium Investment
The Dell Precision 5690 is a premium mobile workstation, and its price reflects its high-end features and performance. The base model starts at around $2,289 and typically includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. However, fully loaded configurations with high-end processors, maximum RAM, and discrete graphics can reach significantly higher prices, potentially exceeding $9,000. While it represents a substantial investment, its capabilities are often considered worthwhile for professionals whose productivity directly translates to their bottom line.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros:
- Blazing performance for demanding professional applications.
- Premium and durable build quality.
- Stunning display options, especially the 4K OLED touchscreen.
- Good colour accuracy on both display options.
- Comfortable and spill-proof keyboard.
- Responsive haptic touchpad.
- Comprehensive connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI.
- Impressive battery life for a high-performance workstation.
- Strong security features, including fingerprint reader and facial recognition.
- Relatively portable for its class.
Cons:
- RAM is not user-upgradable.
- No legacy USB Type-A ports included (though a dongle is provided).
- Webcam lacks a privacy shutter.
- Mega expensive, especially in higher configurations.
- Limited ports compared to some heavier rivals.
Final Verdict: A Mighty Mobile Workhorse
The Dell Precision 5690 stands out as a powerful and well-engineered mobile workstation that effectively balances performance and portability. Its cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra processors, professional NVIDIA RTX graphics, and stunning display options make it an excellent platform for demanding tasks across various industries. While its high price and lack of RAM upgradability are factors to consider, for professionals who require top-tier performance on the go and whose work justifies the investment, the Dell Precision 5690 is a compelling choice that earns its reputation as a leading mobile workstation. It's a testament to Dell's commitment to providing powerful and reliable tools for the most demanding users.