[Merged] Dell Adamo - 4lb, $2k Macbook Air Competitor

[tubbymac]

Dell finally unveiled their Air competitor today. They refused to release specs, but did let Engadget photograph the thing. Looks more like a black Macbook to me than a Macbook Air. It's supposed to be thinner than an Air but I can't tell from the pictures. Dell did try something new though. It appears the sides of the machine have no ports or holes. Everything got moved to what looks like a lip sticking out the back. Not sure I like that design decision at all. Still think the Air looks better.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/2008-12-09delladam-8.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/2008-12-09delladam-24.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/2008-12-09delladam-27.jpg

[kastenbrust]

"Dell finally unveiled their Air competitor today" haha
Thats a good joke, your a very funny guy, i like the ass its got going on there. tap that :p

[errol]

It has a esata port. nice.

[rhyx]

No specs. What's the point? Something could have the prettiest case on the outside but the insides could be garbage.

[01jamcon]

"Dell finally unveiled their Air competitor today" haha
Thats a good joke, your a very funny guy, i like the ass its got going on there. tap that :p

I like it, I don't think its the best design ever, but its certainly clever.

Edit: I just saw the video of it on engadget, damn, that thing is GOOD looking. Compared, this might just be better looking, thinner and lighter than the Air. Here's hoping it is decently spec'd for a reasonable price. Shame its still only Windows though.

[neiltc13]

Looks better than the Air in that they didn't ram a keyboard in which is a different colour to the rest of the case.

[6SSD4]

Nothing really looks as thin as the Air because of the way it's built. If anyone wants to compete with it, they have to make it the same way. Even the Vodoo (or whatever it's called) looks alot thicker than the Air. Atleast when it's closed....well, that's what I think.

[NT1440]

Im not diggin the look that much at all. things got an ass in the back, but the brushed black aluminum with the matte black keys is an eyesore IMO.


Notice i say MY opinion before anyone jumps at me:p

[andreab35]

Im not diggin the look that much at all. things got an ass in the back, but the brushed black aluminum with the matte black keys is an eyesore IMO.


Notice i say MY opinion before anyone jumps at me:p

Same here. I really don't like the looks myself.
With all the MBA competitors I've seen, I really don't like any of them.

[glitch44]

i actually like the brushed metal. i don't know about the super shiny screen, though.

if i knew for sure i could run OS X on it, i might give it a try.

[JLatte]

hahaha, love the baby's got back comments.

[glitch44]

short video of it added to engadget link:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/dell-adamo-hands-on/

[glitch44]

and anandtech has some pictures of the white/silver model:

http://anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3495

[akbc]

Hmm, I was looking for Air-Like, solid Windows machine.
this might just do it XD

[MacsBestFriend]

the fat-butt is real ugly, but the brushed aluminum is what i wanted back when the alu. macbook rumors were about. i like that: would be great color of apple if they gave choices!

[wheelhot]

I wonder if Dell got english problem or something cause I remember their ad says, the world thinnest notebook.

The current world thinnest notebook is the MBA, so how can that chunk of brick be thinner then the MBA?

[tubbymac]

Woah the white/aluminum one looks much better. I really, really do not like the ports sticking out the big back though. If they got rid of that it wouldn't be half bad, but then it might have been too similar looking to the Voodoo Envy.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/2009-01-09whitead-4.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/2009-01-09whitead-1.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/2009-01-09whitead-5.jpg

[Maven1975]

Not bad Dell.. Not bad at all!

I actually don't mind the ass/ports in the back.

But alas.. No firewire for the whiners here. :)

Seriously, if it had the MBA keyboard, trackpad and OSX .. it would be a serious contender for me.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

That thing is sexy. And it doesn't have that BS lack of ports the Air has going on. I'd take one of those any day over the Air (assuming that the specs are at least as good as the Air's)

[LxMx]

I wonder if Dell got english problem or something cause I remember their ad says, the world thinnest notebook.

The current world thinnest notebook is the MBA, so how can that chunk of brick be thinner then the MBA?

The MacBook Air at it's thickest point is thicker than the Adamo. This is a guess, I don't think anyone has any exact dimensions of the Adamo.

Looks like a pretty cool machine though.

[MacsBestFriend]

so what do you guys think the specs will be/price?

;)

Also, is there a way i can do that to an aluminum macbook?

[QCassidy352]

The MacBook Air at it's thickest point is thicker than the Adamo. This is a guess, I don't think anyone has any exact dimensions of the Adamo.

You think the Adamo (wtf kind of name is that, by the way?) is thinner than .76 inches? Sure doesn't look like it.

[tubbymac]

Also, is there a way i can do that to an aluminum macbook?

You mean color it black? Not without a lot of expense and difficulty since the aluminum is anodized. You'd have to anodize it again after coloring it, which isn't easy.

You think the Adamo (wtf kind of name is that, by the way?) is thinner than .76 inches? Sure doesn't look like it.

Adamo is a weird name. First time I heard it I thought it was a new season of Battlestar Galactica. It's actually not the name of the notebook but Dell's new high end line.

[SnowLeopard2008]

One word. POS. The design is total crap... the "ass" just looks awkward, no pun intended. It is pretty thing, but it doesn't have the sex appeal of the MBA.

And.. that is not thinner than a MBA. I can tell using relative size of the USB ports. The MBA is thinner and much better.

[Aea]

One word. POS. The design is total crap... the "ass" just looks awkward, no pun intended. It is pretty thing, but it doesn't have the sex appeal of the MBA.

And.. that is not thinner than a MBA. I can tell using relative size of the USB ports. The MBA is thinner and much better.

My My Fanboyism.

[tubbymac]

What I'm most interested in is the screen. Notebookreview finally got a huge picture up of the screen and... no horizontal lines. Looks perfect. Argh, if Dell can do this why can't Apple do it too? Give me that screen on a MBA and I'll love you Apple, seriously, I will.

Warning, image is pretty large when clicked on:

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/40094.jpg

[TuffLuffJimmy]

One word. POS. The design is total crap... the "ass" just looks awkward, no pun intended. It is pretty thing, but it doesn't have the sex appeal of the MBA.

And.. that is not thinner than a MBA. I can tell using relative size of the USB ports. The MBA is thinner and much better.

:rolleyes:
The Macbook Air is tapered. That doesn't make it thinner.

[NT1440]

Woah the white/aluminum one looks much better. I really, really do not like the ports sticking out the big back though. If they got rid of that it wouldn't be half bad, but then it might have been too similar looking to the Voodoo Envy.

I'm not really diggin the look there, To me that looks a bit like a desiner hand bag kind of thing.:o

[jaytv111]

Alright I measured the thickness of the Adamo based upon the size of its ethernet port. I came up with ~.86 inches thickness (screen included). So it's thicker than the Air. But I'll be honest, I'd rather have 3 USB ports, Ethernet, eSATA, and full Displayport than a little thinner design. We'll have to wait for the full specs though. Notebookreview said the internals are impressive. link (http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4790) (last paragraph)

[tubbymac]

I'm not really diggin the look there, To me that looks a bit like a desiner hand bag kind of thing.:o

Hey you're right. It kinda does remind me of a Coach handbag!

[darngooddesign]

Dell did try something new though. It appears the sides of the machine have no ports or holes. Everything got moved to what looks like a lip sticking out the back.

Powerbook Titanium and countless other laptops.

[OnceBitten]

Very nice.

[areusche]

Hehe I want one so people can say

"Adam has an adamo!"

hahaha I love that name for a computer!

[Santa Rosa]

Its a good attempt by dell. Would be a nice Windows 7 machine to have lying around but it has got some serious junk in the trunk in comparison to the MBA. I certainly wont be trading up for it!! :)

[darngooddesign]

:rolleyes:
The Macbook Air is tapered. That doesn't make it thinner.

The Air is both tapered and much thinner towards the front.

[mikey28]

Hey that thing is pretty good looking. And if I were in the market for a windows machine-- all things being equal spec-wise-- I'd be looking at that. But for the most part, I am DONE with windows in my personal life. Apple has really changed the way that I work with computers, and I like it.

[NT1440]

Hey that thing is pretty good looking. And if I were in the market for a windows machine-- all things being equal spec-wise-- I'd be looking at that. But for the most part, I am DONE with windows in my personal life. Apple has really changed the way that I work with computers, and I like it.

Cant look at something that hasnt even had specs announced.....

[Scottsdale]

Something could have the prettiest case on the outside but the insides could be garbage.

Like the first/original MacBook Air...

[NC MacGuy]

Glass display cover like the MB/MBP -yuck. Hate it from Apple or anyone else.
Looks more like a MB than an Air.

[Turmoil]

I think it's a vista toy. no specs? It's hardly a competitor to anything at this point.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I think it's a vista toy. no specs? It's hardly a competitor to anything at this point.

Right. because it's not released. :rolleyes:

[tubbymac]

Woah at the resurrected thread. I think Dell is making their usual big mistake here by releasing details on the Adamo too long before it's ready. It's 15 minutes of fame are up and by the time it does get released there's probably going to be much juicier stuff from Apple and other companies.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

The Air is both tapered and much thinner towards the front.

Oh you mean it TAPERS toward the front? :rolleyes:

[jackfrost123]

that reminds me of the very first laptops with their fat derrieres, ugly.

[smoked]

Keyboard on the thing does not look like it would be very functional. All the keys mashed up together like that... First thing I thought of with the white was "handbag". And it is at least half plastic, so it will probably feel flimsy to boot.

My wife travels constantly with her MBA. Everyone oohs and ahhs over it. I just don't see that happening with the Adamo.

[SFStateStudent]

That things behind looks like 150lbs. of chewed bubble gum. I saw it backing up and it went "BEEP - BEEP - BEEP"...:D

It's a Dell, that says it all for me! (Dell can eat the peanuts outta' my $hi&! Frickin' Windows piece of krap).

[sparkie7]

its no where near the MBA. The only thing I like is its extra ports

[SeaneyC]

Like the first/original MacBook Air...

Best bit of garbage I ever bought, are we talking about the same machine here?

[Hot Snowboarder]

Sexiest windows laptop I've ever seen. I actually like it more than the air.

The video advert for it on dells website shows what looks to be a unibody manufacturing process and a glass screen.
If it really is a copy of Apples design - at least windows machines will now be getting top-class engineering.

If windows 7 is a success, I may buy myself an Adamo.

[Miker2k]

The keyboard looks horrid. Besides the LED backlit screen in the MBA the keyboard is my favorite feature. It slays my dell and HP laptop keyboards.

[MultiFinder17]

Oh you mean it TAPERS toward the front? :rolleyes:

Ah, the tapered design. It's totally new, never done befo... WHAAAAAAAA?!?!?

[NT1440]

No one has mentioned the hypocrisy of the PC world yet?

Alright, you know how people seem to think that Macs are all for flash and design?

Well take a look at the intro video on Dell's site, its literally marketing this thing 100% as a fashion accessory for women. Everything about it screams handbag down to the (ugly) etched design on the lid as well as all of underneath.

Edit: To the above, who claimed tapering was something new? Almost every laptop maker uses it to some degree...

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Ah, the tapered design. It's totally new, never done befo... WHAAAAAAAA?!?!?

I didn't say it hadn't. The previous poster said that the laptop was tapered AND got thinner toward the front. Getting thinner toward the front IS tapering.

way to read :rolleyes:

[zer0tails]

the only thing I like about the Adamo is that it has more usb ports. Other than that, MBA still rules in the style and usability department :cool: os x ftw

[Scottsdale]

the only thing I like about the Adamo is that it has more usb ports. Other than that, MBA still rules in the style and usability department :cool: os x ftw

I use my MBP one day per month to run Windows for a client App. I actually am thinking about buying a new Adamo once Windows 7 comes out. I will keep and love my MBA, but for the occasion when I need Windows, it will be nice to have such a cool looking PC and the same concept I have with my MBA.

So, I look forward to the Adamo, but that doesn't mean I am abandoning my MBA. In fact, I refuse to WASTE any of my valuable MBA's 128 GB SSD space. The space is far too coveted to run VISTA on it.

That is whole reason I use the MBP, WINDOWS. Once I upgrade to the Adamo, I will not have to worry about the possibility that my kids will destroy my only Windows capable machine while they are playing games and watching videos on it.

I just hope it doesn't cost more than $2k for the Adamo, that would suck if the price gets to be like $3k as some are talking. No matter how you look at it, the MBA is a better OVERALL computer. But to run Windows, I will prefer an Adamo... and keep my MBA free from Windows.

[jaytv111]

I think it's funny that people are knocking a computer that's not even out yet. We don't even know the specs yet! Seriously

[NT1440]

Up on Gizmodo

$1999, still no specs.

I guess those who REALLY love handbags now have a computer to match....

[Abstract]

Gorgeous machine, particularly the front. :) Looks better than the MBA, in my opinion.


Photo Gallery LINKETY (http://www.flickr.com/photos/briansolis/sets/72157615347413959/detail/) of Brian Solis. (Thanks.....whoever you are.)

[NT1440]

Only $1999 for a computer that looks exactly like a handbag!

Still no specs released sadly (not that id ever consider it)

[Dmac77]

I just wonder why Dell won't release the specs. Are they scared to? Are the specs that bad?

Don

[mattcube64]

Up on Gizmodo

$1999, still no specs.

I guess those who REALLY love handbags now have a computer to match....

Engadget: "1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U9300 with integrated Intel X4500 graphics, 2GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, and it all weighs four pounds -- a pound more than the MacBook Air. Not exactly a barnstormer, especially for $1,999"

Wow. Looks like the MBA is actually a much better deal. Didn't see that coming, honestly. Sure, the standard SSD is nice. But, I'd much rather save the pound, and have a faster CPU and a better GPU.

[FX120]

Very cool laptop, it actually has some definition to it, unlike the MBA where it just looks like a wedge-shaped blob.

But I've always been a sucker for strong, agressive lines.

[sushi]

Only $1999 for a computer that looks exactly like a handbag!

Still no specs released sadly (not that id ever consider it)

From this article (http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/03/dell-launches-l.html):

The Adamo is a beautifully designed notebook computer that in its basic model comes with a 1.2 GHz Intel Core2Duo processor, 2 GB memory and 128GB solid state drive. It also offers two USB ports, one USB/eSATA port and a display port. But all of that carries a stiff price tag. The basic version of the Adamo will cost $2000, while a more expensive model costs $2700.

[MacDawg]

From this article (http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/03/dell-launches-l.html):

Wonder if it will get all the price bashing / spec hawking that the Mac does?

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[ceezy3000]

processor is even worse than the air, and whats with that ugly battery

[Abstract]

Ugly battery? Is that what it has come down to?


But yeah, the processor is a bit disappointing. It's also supposed to be heavier than the MBA....it's around 4 lbs. I guess even the MB is light enough, but if I'm going to buy a laptop that's 4 lbs, it may as well have a disk drive.

So basically, this is an MBA except:

1. Adamo is around 1 lb heavier.
2. Adamo has more ports. (2 x USB, 1 USB/eSATA combo port, DisplayPort, and an ethernet (RJ-45) port.
3. IMO, Adamo is far nicer.

[Scottsdale]

Engadget: "1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U9300 with integrated Intel X4500 graphics, 2GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, and it all weighs four pounds -- a pound more than the MacBook Air. Not exactly a barnstormer, especially for $1,999"

Wow. Looks like the MBA is actually a much better deal. Didn't see that coming, honestly. Sure, the standard SSD is nice. But, I'd much rather save the pound, and have a faster CPU and a better GPU.

I figured Dell would use the same SL9400 CPUs the MBAs use. Sorta disappointing, but I will still buy one. Will run a minimal version of Windows 7 well and I am sure at deep discounts by the time Windows 7 is released. I am definitely going to wait... for Windows 7. With all of the hype, on how it is going to perform much better and be smaller like SL, I have to wait instead of buying it with Vista Home Premium on it. What a way to ruin its introduction... I guess I am proving I am still an Apple fanboy even though I want an Adamo.

Cannot wait to read more about it tomorrow. Oh wait, I will be reading all about the iPhone 3.0 tomorrow... looks like Dell is going to lose some press tomorrow, big time. Why would they release the same day as iPhone 3.0???

[bartelby]

So basically, this is an MBA except:

1. Adamo is around 1 lb heavier.
2. Adamo has more ports. (2 x USB, 1 USB/eSATA combo port, DisplayPort, and an ethernet (RJ-45) port.
3. IMO, Adamo is far nicer.



You missed one.

4. Battery is uglier.

;)

[FX120]

Ugly battery? Is that what it has come down to?


But yeah, the processor is a bit disappointing. It's also supposed to be heavier than the MBA....it's around 4 lbs. I guess even the MB is light enough, but if I'm going to buy a laptop that's 4 lbs, it may as well have a disk drive.

So basically, this is an MBA except:

1. Adamo is around 1 lb heavier.
2. Adamo has more ports. (2 x USB, 1 USB/eSATA combo port, DisplayPort, and an ethernet (RJ-45) port.
3. IMO, Adamo is far nicer.

I am not completley sure of the specs that have been flying around so far. Until Dell releases official specifications I don't know if I am going to believe the weight.

Although it doesn't really matter since I still probably won't be buying one, I am just not the target customer for a MBA/ Adamo style laptop.

It is a nice design however, and it only goes to demonstrate that Apple is not the only computer company capable of cranking out really nice looking computers.

Edit: I don't believe that the battery is in the rear of the laptop, I believe that the system board, fansink and I/O lives in the back of the laptop, and the battery lives somewhere beneath the keyboard. So it's not a "ugly battery", it's just a way of making the overall profile of the laptop thin, while still allowing it to have fullsize ports instead of retarded dongles to carry around.

Edit: Just read the C-Net hands on, sounds like it comes in at just under 4lbs which seems like a lot, but is only .64" thick.

Odd that it is actually smaller than the Air, yet weighs more.

[sgibson]

Here is the video on YouTube from Dell extolling the virtues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=QUJqWc6seYk

Erm, really? It's like an Onion parody of an Apple video. Right down to the "designer" talking about the process against a white background.

"People will stare. And that's ok"

[sgibson]

Here is the video on YouTube from Dell extolling the virtues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=QUJqWc6seYk

Erm, really? It's like an Onion parody of an Apple video. Right down to the "designer" talking about the process against a white background.

"People will stare. And that's ok"

[talkingfuture]

It looks like a really poor rip off of the MBP. Seems a shame because Dell have done quite well with the Studio line and the Mini 9, 10, 12 Netbooks.

[benlangdon]

hahahahahahaha, i thought i read mbp not air, but still this is hilarious, is this real? ahahahahahahaha

[tubbymac]

It's like an Onion parody of an Apple video. Right down to the "designer" talking about the process against a white background.


I literally cringed when I watched that video. It was like you said, an onion parody, except without any of the humor and with music that sounded like it was ripped straight from a porno video.

Dell ruined this just like I knew they would. At 4 pounds this thing can't even compete with my Macbook let alone the rev B Macbook Air.

My MB with the 128 gig SSD upgrade I did to it is about 4 pounds too, looks infinitely better than the Adamo, smashes it to pieces in terms of specs, has better battery life, and costs less.

The rev B Air just completely destroys the Adamo in everything except for the 4 gigs of memory option on the Adamo. But with that dinky 1.2 ghz CPU, even if you got the 4 gigs of memory it would be useless because it would run slow as a slug anyway.

I really want the competition to be better. Good competition forces everybody to make better products. But this? This is a bloody joke. Over two years after the Air was released and this is the best Dell could do? What a let down.

[aaquib]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/17/dell-adamo-announced-1-2ghz-core-2-duo-1-999/

Vista on 2GB of RAM and 1.2GHz? :eek:

Any one else feeling a lot better about their MBA purchase? ;)

[11800506]

The Adamo is looking to be a huge disappointment, especially when compared to what looks to be it's main competitor, the MBA. It has a much slower processor, is a pound heavier, and at that weight, you might as well get a regular sized computer, many of which are around that weight anyways. At that price, it makes the MBA look like a great value!

And what's interesting is that the majority of Engadget commentators seem to agree.

[Grolubao]

Can't understand either... Less performance, higher price and it's windows... Who will buy that crap?

[jessica.]

It sucks that it is so disappointing as I kind of liked the design. Even still, I feel good about my Air because it does what I need, not because it trumps something else out there.

[sammich]

So it's 1 whole pound heavier than the MBA? And it's got a slower CPU?

At least they took sometime to think about their packaging (follow link on page for pics).

[Eyedn]

"Vista on 2GB of RAM and 1.2GHz? :eek:"

Exactly my point, Vista will just eat that up for starters. Im interested to see someone take it apart though just to see how it shapes up against the MacBook Air.

I think that people had really got their hopes up about the adamo, that it would come along and just "Crush" the MBA. Im really struggling to find out who is their potential audience for this, maybe people who just have to have 2 USB Ports.

[aristobrat]

Who will buy that crap?
According to cnet, ...


Dell is pitching the Adamo as a "luxury brand notebook design for the luxury conscious consumer,"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10197495-1.html?tag=rtcol

[Mastamarek]

looks like a total copy of a MPB, especially with that backlit keyboard and that glossy black finish on the LCD. I actually cant believe that they are so cheap and cant get their own design. Also, PC-bots were complaining about MBA weight so STF now as that Dell weights even more. Its gonna be painfully slow with that 1.2Ghz CPU and internal X4500 Intel Graphics is no match for the brilliant nvidia 9400 in the MBA. Man, I cant wait to see pc-bots posting about that piece of crap dell very soon, be ready.

[Redline13]

Does anyone else see the irony of Mac owners complaining about overpriced, underpowered but generally sharp looking computers?

[Mastamarek]

Does anyone else see the irony of Mac owners complaining about overpriced, underpowered but generally sharp looking computers?

no, and its ugly. so go cry.

[Goona]

Seems Apple's prices ain't that bad.

[AdeFowler]

Does anyone else see the irony of Mac owners complaining about overpriced, underpowered but generally sharp looking computers?

You need glasses :p

Seriously, I'm surprised at how ugly they managed to make the rear of it.

[notjustjay]

I think that people had really got their hopes up about the adamo, that it would come along and just "Crush" the MBA. Im really struggling to find out who is their potential audience for this, maybe people who just have to have 2 USB Ports.

I think it would have been a MacBook Air killer at $999 or $1299 (e.g. significantly cheaper than the Air) and I think this is what a lot of people were expecting. I hadn't seen any rumors of pricing information until it was released, but a lot of conjecture that this thing would surely be cheaper than the MBA.

After all, "Macs are way too expensive --- anyone could build a comparable PC for way less", right? So Dell put their money where their mouth is, and -- oops! Maybe it's not that easy after all.

Look at all the previews on gadget sites between December - January -- speculated prices ranged everywhere from $500 (!) to $3000, but the one undisputed constant in all the comments was "it will definitely be cheaper than Apple".

(e.g. from a New York Times blog: "It is pretty clear, though, that Dell could beat Apple on price. “One of the things they could do real differently from Apple would be cheap,” said Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies, an analyst firm. “They could shave $400 off the MacBook Air price pretty easily.” ")

[Scottsdale]

I actually love Adamo. It is heavy (relatively speaking to the MBA) because of its quality and thickness of aluminum. The MBA is so light it's like Air. Sometimes the difference in weight IS quality.

Anyways, Adamo is really thin (.65 inches). While comparing the MBA and Adamo in side by side photos, the MBA still is SMALLER. The glass display goes ALL the way which means it is not wasting the extra space for bezel as the MBA does. Notice the video goes all the way to all edges. I really like that. BUT, the design still doesn't look nearly as nice or sleek as the MBA.

The keyboard is really really nice too. I love how the keys edges turn up a little sharper than the MBA and align better. I also love the SAME COLOR KB. I hate looking at my MBA's BLACK KB. The contrast is NOT a good thing. I also love the white key mods some have done here at Mac Rumors. The KB on Adamo just looks like it will feel really good to type on.

I think Adamo looks elegant, is made of solid materials, and is Dell's BEST EVER attempt at a notebook. Is it a MAC, HELL NO! But only Apple can do things perfectly. I do notice that the reviews don't include LINES all over the displays. Some who have seen Adamo have explicitly said they would switch to Adamo from MBA because the display is gorgeous.

This is another great thing for the MBA. Competition is EXCELLENT for us MBA lovers. When Apple has to respond, it improves in quality control. The MBA is already the most beautiful, already the best design, and already amazing, BUT its reputation is that of Apple's poor choices to skim costs where it shouldn't and allow a plethora of MBA buyers to experience LINES all over the display, broken hinges, and etc. I don't have the lines on mine, but I read it all of the time here... and I have to believe that MBA buyers are the real winners TODAY. The 4 GB RAM in Adamo is EXACTLY what us MBA lovers NEEDED. Now, Apple will be forced to put 4 GB of RAM in the MBA. A rev C MBA will be out sooner because Adamo was released today. When the rev C MBA is introduced, the display problems will be GONE. When the rev C MBA is introduced, 4 GB RAM will be inside. There will be a silky smooth glass trackpad, and Apple will do something to minimize the bezel just like Dell has done on Adamo.

This is a very good day for future MBA buyers! Go Adamo! The better Adamo is, the more Apple wants to ensure that every user experience with the MBA is vastly improved. Since we all will love the MBA more, if it just didn't have the QC problems, the problems will go away. I predict in the long run the MBA gets better and better. And the price of Adamo will have sales and etc, as Dell just will not keep to the plan like Apple does. Dell has proven again and again that it wants to be low cost, not superior design and quality. Even if the Adamo team believes, the spirit of Dell has never been Adamo. The spirit of Apple has always been MBA!

Adamo fails in a couple of KEY areas when compared to MacBook Air. The MBA uses an SL9400 CPU with 6 MB L2 Cache, running at 1.86 GHz. The high end Adamo uses an SU9400 CPU with 3 MB L2 Cache, running at 1.4 GHz. You would think Dell would have learned from MBA? I guess it wanted an Ultra Low Voltage CPU instead of just Low Voltage, BUT FOR WHAT?

Adamo also uses only 800 MHz FSB and RAM, while MBA is 1066 MHz! Again, the MBA wins. No matter how you slice it, the MacBook Air WILL OUTPERFORM Adamo. Also, like Adamo could truly ever compete, MBA has Mac OS X, while Adamo has Windows Vista Home Premium (OUCH)!

I love my MBA, but for the days I have to use Windows, I will be using Adamo to do my Windows work. Sure it is only a day or two of work per month, but life is too short to work on computers that SUCK with poor design and quality. Dell's Adamo both helps itself and the MacBook Air!

Competition is great for us BUYERS.

Go MacBook Air.

[darwinian]

Dear Dell ... just because you put a $2000 price tag on a machine doesn't mean it's worth that much. 1.2 GHz? 2 GB? Yikes. I was really looking forward to the Adamo, too.

[Eyedn]

I think it would have been a MacBook Air killer at $999 or $1299 (e.g. significantly cheaper than the Air) and I think this is what a lot of people were expecting. I hadn't seen any rumors of pricing information until it was released, but a lot of conjecture that this thing would surely be cheaper than the MBA.

After all, "Macs are way too expensive --- anyone could build a comparable PC for way less", right? So Dell put their money where their mouth is, and -- oops! Maybe it's not that easy after all.

Look at all the previews on gadget sites between December - January -- speculated prices ranged everywhere from $500 (!) to $3000, but the one undisputed constant in all the comments was "it will definitely be cheaper than Apple".

(e.g. from a New York Times blog: "It is pretty clear, though, that Dell could beat Apple on price. “One of the things they could do real differently from Apple would be cheap,” said Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies, an analyst firm. “They could shave $400 off the MacBook Air price pretty easily.” ")

Completely agree, it is out of the blue to have something from dell priced HIGHER than an Apple alternative. I tend not to believe a lot of what these "analysts" say these days as going by threads on this forums they are seriously inconsistent.

[bobdard]

Guys, I think the MBA is better value (don't flame me; I have a MBA) BUT the Adamo at $1999 does have a 128GB SSD....

[DarrenT]

Guys, I think the MBA is better value (don't flame me; I have a MBA) BUT the Adamo at $1999 does have a 128GB SSD....

$2000 is alot to pay for a hard drive. after all, there is nothing else there that you would want. The style, weight and performance are going to be worse than the air and as other haave said, vista will gobble the specs for breakfast.

[aaquib]

Guys, I think the MBA is better value (don't flame me; I have a MBA) BUT the Adamo at $1999 does have a 128GB SSD....

The MBA with 128GB SSD is $2299. So for $300 you get a faster processor, much better graphics, a better display, faster FSB, faster RAM, and a lighter notebook.

[trip1ex]

Looks decent. This can only spur Apple to compete more.

The weight though? Ouch. Closer to the MacBook's weight than the MBA's. And the MacBook is $700 cheaper.

And of course you have to run Vista. One reason I use Macs is for the OS. If Macs only came with Vista I would not shell out the dough for them.

[Cruleworld]

The MBA with 128GB SSD is $2299. So for $300 you get a faster processor, much better graphics, a better display, faster FSB, faster RAM, and a thinner notebook.

Actually the Adamo is thinner

[aaquib]

Actually the Adamo is thinner

Woops, I meant lighter. The MBA is a full pound lighter. And, the Adamo is 0.65" thick, while the MBA goes from 0.76"-0.16" thin. So, at it's thinnest point, the MBA is actually thinner.

[tubbymac]

And what's interesting is that the majority of Engadget commentators seem to agree.

This is the most telling sign that the Adamo's introduction was a failure. Engadget started as a fairly pro Apple site but a while ago the comment area has been dominated by Apple haters. But even the PC fanboys and Apple haters there can't and won't defend Dell on this. When the people who would love to get their shots in at Apple are saying and agreeing that the Macbook Air is a better choice and that the Adamo is even MORE overpriced and underspecced in comparison - you really have to wonder what kind of drug Dell was smoking to release something this underspecced so late in the game.

Seriously, I'm surprised at how ugly they managed to make the rear of it.

Cnet revealed why the back is that ugly. I wish I was joking about this, but Dell designed the back to stick out like that so that they could put a removable magnetic top panel on that ugly protrusion. And this magnetic panel's primary purpose - and this is so pathetic that it's almost vomit inducing - the purpose is to conceal a MICROSOFT VISTA STICKER that Microsoft forces PC vendors to put on their machines. By putting the sticker underneath the panel where you can't see it, but still having it discoverable by the user, Dell found a crazy workaround to the ugly Vista sticker problem.

That's some utter insanity between Microsoft and Dell if you ask me.

[skye12]

Dell. When are people going to realize how cheaply they are made?

Maybe its just the people who live near Dell here in Texas who know the
real Dell story. It is not good. They treat their employees like **** and
often deliver pink slips by email. Real class! And no, I have never worked for Dell but know many who have.

[gkarris]

You think the Adamo (wtf kind of name is that, by the way?).

Isn't he the commander of the Battlestar Galactica??? :confused:

Here is the video on YouTube from Dell extolling the virtues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=QUJqWc6seYk

Erm, really? It's like an Onion parody of an Apple video. Right down to the "designer" talking about the process against a white background.

"People will stare. And that's ok"

"Get ready to witness a true love story by Dell...."

Yeah, like for real???

LOL...

[Padraig]

Dell. When are people going to realize how cheaply they are made?

Maybe its just the people who live near Dell here in Texas who know the
real Dell story. It is not good. They treat their employees like **** and
often deliver pink slips by email. Real class! And no, I have never worked for Dell but know many who have.


As someone who used to work in Apple's European HQ, i'll tell you they're not the greatest employers either. From what I've seen/experienced when it comes to the production side I'd imagine they're about equally bad/good, as you go up the food chain Dell are probably the better employers. I've only one friend left in Apple and they're goal is to get out.

On the Adamo, I have to say I don't like the design at all, especially the white/silver model. Dell's industrial design has come on leaps and bounds over the past year, but for me this looks like a step backwards.

[nilk]

This is meant to be a competitor to the MBA? Seriously? It's in the wrong weight class. A MBA competitor needs to be ~3.0 lbs or less. It needs to be thin and light. And the cheesy design doesn't help it all.

Personally, I'm not in the market for these kinds of notebooks. I can do without the optical drive, have a less powerful GPU, maybe even get by with a less powerful CPU, but I need 4GB of RAM and a low-res 13" display just isn't adequate for me (not to mention I hate glossy displays). But I still am pretty impressed by the MBA and recommend it to a lot to people who do fall into the niche that would be happy with this kind of notebook. And looks like it still doesn't have any competition for its particular niche.

[darngooddesign]

Maybe its underspecced because Dell realized that if you raise the specs too high it will overheat and not even be able to play Flash video. :D

[darngooddesign]

As someone who used to work in Apple's European HQ, i'll tell you they're not the greatest employers either. From what I've seen/experienced when it comes to the production side I'd imagine they're about equally bad/good, as you go up the food chain Dell are probably the better employers. I've only one friend left in Apple and they're goal is to get out.

I have a hard time believing that working for Apple doesn't make you feel like you're hugging puppies.

[drakeshipway]

dude, nobody's getting a dell..

[tubbymac]

I am horribly confused as to which thread I should be posting in now that we have like 3 threads on the Adamo all on the same page :confused:

Having said that though, I agree with your points. I was just hoping that the specs would have been better. If the Adamo had better specs along with a nice screen with no lines - well that would have at least pressured Apple to do something sooner about it's own quality control.

I just feel for that price point you could probably get a much better Windows only machine from other vendors. Heck, even from the same Vendor! Dell sells another ultraportable called the Latitude E4300 that weighs a pound less and has better specs. Then there's the Sony Z Series, and the Lenovo X301 with again much better specs.

The Adamo seems to be purely about the looks. If you look at the Cnet review that was posted today, they mention that the machine has some noticeable keyboard flex in the center and they only saw 3 hours of battery life. At $2000 I think keyboard flex is unacceptable. The E4300, the Sony Z, and the Lenovo X301 all have closer to 5 hours of battery.

Other than the looks, which the Air still wins in comparison, is this Windows machine really a worthwhile purchase in comparison to it's Windows competition, let alone the Air? I just don't see the market for this Adamo.

[bossxii]

Those spec's are amazing.... :rolleyes: If nothing else at least the Windows fan boys can now see even Dell can't put out a thin laptop without it costing $2000 bucks. 1.2ghz? 800mhz DDR3? It's like they just slowed down everything the MBA has. When it's closed it's a decent looking laptop or paperweight, when you open it it's just ugly, that back looks like some sort of design gone wrong. Sure it has a few ports but it's not like your hooking this up for a desktop computer, this truly is netbook spec's. Sony Vaio P at least is only $899 for these type of spec's, I don't think Dell did itself any favors here.

Dell just made the MBA look ALOT better to anyone searching for a ultra thin laptop.

[tubbymac]

Dell just made the MBA look ALOT better to anyone searching for a ultra thin laptop.

Ain't that the truth. I think the Adamo has backfired on Dell. Apple tried long and hard to advertise the value in the Air. Who would have thought that Dell was the secret for free Air publicity?! :D

[NT1440]

Good news everybody! http://www.mjewing.co.uk/mewsings/pix/farnsworth.jpg

Looks like there is a 1.4 ghz model for $2,699 but hey it comes with 3G (yay?).

[Airforcekid]

Costs more for even less!

[Airforcekid]

Good news everybody! http://www.mjewing.co.uk/mewsings/pix/farnsworth.jpg

(yay?).

NICE!

[PeterQC]

The thing look hideous. I like the glass screen, but since it's marketed as a Air competitor it's pretty much a rip-off of the MacBook line. and 1.2 GHz for 2000 bucks? Who in their right mind would buy that?

[NT1440]

The thing look hideous. I like the glass screen, but since it's marketed as a Air competitor it's pretty much a rip-off of the MacBook line. and 1.2 GHz for 2000 bucks? Who in their right mind would buy that?

Its literally a fashion accessory, from the handbag looks to the price. Seriously, check out the teaser videos on Dell and all you see is "high scale" women in the videos. Even the little engraving on the BOTTOM looks like one of those stupid design on $500 handbags.

Its a chicks fashion accessory/computer

Edit: Its clear that Dell bought in to the crap cliche that macs are fashion accessories and placed this "competitor" into that market, stupid move. Its not even a direct competitor. The air is a travel companion/satelite computer for those on the go. The adamo is a handbag.

[dongmin]

Its literally a fashion accessory, from the handbag looks to the price. Seriously, check out the teaser videos on Dell and all you see is "high scale" women in the videos. Even the little engraving on the BOTTOM looks like one of those stupid design on $500 handbags.

Its a chicks fashion accessory/computer

Edit: Its clear that Dell bought in to the crap cliche that macs are fashion accessories and placed this "competitor" into that market, stupid move. Its not even a direct competitor. The air is a travel companion/satelite computer for those on the go. The adamo is a handbag.

Yup. This will sell as well as the Prada phone. This is yet another failed attempt by Dell to gain some traction in the non-commodity PC business. I give this project 1 year at most.

Considering that you can get a 1st-generation MBA, that's faster than the yet-to-be-released Adamo, for $999 refurbished, Dell really has no clue in building value AND high-design into their computers.

[Apple //e]

looks like dell fell for apples trap and tried to compete in the category apple invented: thin and pretty.....and failed

they should have just stuck to ultraportables instead of playing apples game

what the hell is an adamo? sexy=girls name, not some nekkid dude in some old book

[bossxii]

Adamo translates into Dell's limited design team creating a paper weight. Not that it wasn't expected from Dell, but the spec's ouch! I've checked out the Sony Vaio P and other than saying is small and lightweight... well that's where the appeal ends. The Sonly only starts at $899 so even with an impulse buy it can be justified as an expensive toy/netbook. Adamo takes netbooks to a whole new level. They mix 1.2ghz processors from a year or so ago with the latest SSD drives, just baffles me how this will draw buyers. The Windows users may be fans to the end but they know how much of a resource hog Vista is.

[mhnajjar]

The only thing I like about it is the see-thru packaging!

[DarrenT]

i have concluded that while we were all asleep one night Apple bought a controlling share in Dell and then forced them to release this to make the Air look even better.

Surely as an engineer or a designer on this project someone said "but its going to cost more and do less". Did no-one listen?

[rtheb]

... it's pretty much a rip-off of the MacBook line.

Indeed!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3361712540_078375305c.jpg

[kenned]

That ass ruins the design completely! Makes the computer look cheap and uncompleted.

And btw, when using the air, it'll feel thinner than the Adamo because of the edges, the Adamo is the same thickness all the way around

[BanjoBanker]

Does anyone else see the irony of Mac owners complaining about overpriced, underpowered but generally sharp looking computers?

I guess not.. But, you are so right. I have enjoyed the "over priced piece of crap" comments immeasurably. :D I guess we are too busy bashing it to see the irony.

[gkarris]

Adamo translates into Dell's limited design team creating a paper weight. Not that it wasn't expected from Dell, but the spec's ouch! I've checked out the Sony Vaio P and other than saying is small and lightweight... well that's where the appeal ends. The Sonly only starts at $899 so even with an impulse buy it can be justified as an expensive toy/netbook. Adamo takes netbooks to a whole new level. They mix 1.2ghz processors from a year or so ago with the latest SSD drives, just baffles me how this will draw buyers. The Windows users may be fans to the end but they know how much of a resource hog Vista is.

Depends on the chipset used. I cannot find the chipset anywhere. I would imagine at least an Intel x4500 for Vista.

PC companies are just positioning themselves for unhappy Vista owners to have to upgrade to Windows 7 for better performance on lower machines such as this one and NetBooks.

More money for Bill...

[DarrenT]

I guess not.. But, you are so right. I have enjoyed the "over priced piece of crap" comments immeasurably. :D I guess we are too busy bashing it to see the irony.

thats true to a point but its only been recently that there has been anything else that even thought about competing with the air. If there is only one option then you have a simple choice, stump up and have the unique item or dont. The problem with the Adamo (i keep wanting to say adama) is that its a year later, heavier and in my opinion not as nice to look at. to top it off they have an even higher price than the air which it is supposed to compete against.

Were it coming in cheaper with a slightly faster chip then it could be said that the air is overpriced and that you are buying it for the name. If Dell are serious about the price then maybe we have to consider the possibility that you buy an Air because its the best comprimise between price and abilty for this niche bracket.

I think if they were to drop the Adamo to 60-70% of the cost of the low end air then they might just be on to a winner, but they wont becuase its aimed at mac haters with loads of money. Before my Air i had never used a Mac but i always saw the good points for having one. there are millions out there who just refuse point blank to accept a mac.

[manhattanboy]

The Adamo is looking to be a huge disappointment, especially when compared to what looks to be it's main competitor, the MBA. It has a much slower processor, is a pound heavier, and at that weight, you might as well get a regular sized computer, many of which are around that weight anyways. At that price, it makes the MBA look like a great value!

And what's interesting is that the majority of Engadget commentators seem to agree.

Hey I read engadget...
But anyway... yeah for MBA until the mac netbook comes out...

[aaquib]

Indeed!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3361712540_078375305c.jpg

Very unibody-ish.

[tubbymac]

Dell wants everybody to compare it to the Air but I think eventually it will be compared against the Macbook. To get into the same league as the Air you really have to get into the 3 pound or under weight class.

[rittchard]

Dell wants everybody to compare it to the Air but I think eventually it will be compared against the Macbook. To get into the same league as the Air you really have to get into the 3 pound or under weight class.

Definitely an odd choice for Dell to release a clearly inferior competitor in virtually every category imaginable. I thought there were typos when I first saw the specs and pricing released.

BTW, the only true competitor (or close) I've found in the PC market is from Lenovo:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=FB7AF02917DF464B80B47A578BC9DD24

which gets you something comparable in the same size/weight class, but still with inferior 4500 graphics.

MSI is the one to look out for in terms of an MBA "killer" (from a price perspective).

http://www.liliputing.com/tag/msi-wind-x340

But likely it's going to be a very cheap feeling imitation of the MBA and with lesser graphics as well, but much less expensive.

- - -

All in all from the research I've done, it seems like the MBA is still standing tall in a class of its own. In fact you might argue it's the one piece of hardware the PC world has had absolutely no answer for (overall quality/price/performance) in over a year.

[nick9191]

Only half a pound lighter than a Macbook, looks like a Macbook, more expensive than a Macbook, less powerful than a Macbook, what a failure. Still at least it's nice to see Dell start to care about design and actually take pride in their products.

[Mactagonist]

And its looks arnt even very good. The design of the Adamo looks hideous to me.

[gkarris]

I've got a pocketful of sunshine!!!

:p

(just thought I'd post here before *this* Dell Adamo thread gets closed...) :D

[lazydesi]

good review scott

you done it again

[sherthang]

Doesn't the screen on the Adamo go right to the edge because it is 16:9? I don't feel that Air is in need of these dimensions in a screen given the clients this product is geared to. I may be wrong. Apple does believe that Air users will download their multimedia.

[Shivetya]

You know, after looking at its features and such all I can think is, what really was the target? If it had come in much lower in price than the MBA I could understand. But higher base price for less features? Slower processor, slower memory, AND slower graphics?

What were they smoking?


This all sounds like they were aiming at the original MBA and just could not get out the door in reasonable time.

[NT1440]

You know, after looking at its features and such all I can think is, what really was the target?

Take a look at the launch site and the video. You see "classy" women floating around the notebook. Its a fashion accessory through and through. Just look at the engravings, they look EXACTLY like a designer handbag.

[aaquib]

Take a look at the launch site and the video. You see "classy" women floating around the notebook. Its a fashion accessory through and through. Just look at the engravings, they look EXACTLY like a designer handbag.

Too bad designers and anyone with any fashion sense wouldn't use a Dell...

[alexlovesmacs]

The design is ehh ok but with the Dell logo it looks ugly. Anything with a Dell logo is certainly ugly..

[NC MacGuy]

Aphrodisiac? A computer? A Dell computer nonetheless?
Did Frenchy in the video say based on design of iron watches and iron cell phones?

[tubbymac]

Depends on the chipset used. I cannot find the chipset anywhere. I would imagine at least an Intel x4500 for Vista.

More money for Bill...

I think engadget listed it as using the integrated Intel X4500. Just like how Apple seems to flounder around without Steve Jobs, Microsoft seems to flounder even worse without Bill Gates "at the helm" and in charge.

[NT1440]

I think engadget listed it as using the integrated Intel X4500. Just like how Apple seems to flounder around without Steve Jobs, Microsoft seems to flounder even worse without Bill Gates "at the helm" and in charge.

:confused:

Bill stepped down almost a year ago...

[lazydesi]

but for $1999 it comes with 128GB SSD

[NT1440]

Too bad designers and anyone with any fashion sense wouldn't use a Dell...

"it matches my gucci handbag......"

Thats the target.

[NT1440]

but for $1999 it comes with 128GB SSD

Which makes up for a 1.2 ghz processor.......:confused:

[tubbymac]

:confused:

Bill stepped down almost a year ago...

Yeah but if you notice even years before that, as he was transitioning things over to Balmer, Microsoft went from being an absolute terror that rapidly ate away at the market share of everybody else to becoming the slug it is now that's gradually losing market share in everything. Everything except for the xbox I guess, but I digress.

[still in school]

You know, after looking at its features and such all I can think is, what really was the target? If it had come in much lower in price than the MBA I could understand. But higher base price for less features? Slower processor, slower memory, AND slower graphics?

What were they smoking?


This all sounds like they were aiming at the original MBA and just could not get out the door in reasonable time.

some good stuff

[bossxii]

No matter how hard they try Dell and every other PC maker is trying to get that "cool" vibe Apple brings to the table. Pick any Movie or TV show in the past 12 months that has computers sitting around. It could be any number of generic PC makers or you see the Apple, plain and clear sitting on someone's desk. Hollywood has done as much as Apple to make their products cool and wanted by everyone.

I didn't notice it all that much until my wife mentioned it, then I started paying attention last fall and it was shocking how many Apple laptops are in shows. Apple has the great commerials, but their product logo is also in so many shows, it's like the non stop advertisement. The Apple logo sitting on so many desks, it's just something Dell can't buy no matter how many commercials they run, how thin they make a computer, or how much they try to compare themselves to Apple. Even people I run into from work who have never talked about computer or phone's mention something about a new phone (LG shine or whatever name) and always make a comparison to the iPhone. The fact they have clearly been imprinted by the media that the iPhone is the one to be measured against. Dell is no where near that type of name brand and asking this kind of money from Windows users who have come to expect their machines to be 50% of what Apple charges will be shocked to say the least.

[ibosie]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/17/dell-adamo-announced-1-2ghz-core-2-duo-1-999/

Vista on 2GB of RAM and 1.2GHz? :eek:

Any one else feeling a lot better about their MBA purchase? ;)

Haha who wants a crap windows laptop anyway? Beats me...

[NT1440]

No matter how hard they try Dell and every other PC maker is trying to get that "cool" vibe Apple brings to the table. Pick any Movie or TV show in the past 12 months that has computers sitting around. It could be any number of generic PC makers or you see the Apple, plain and clear sitting on someone's desk. Hollywood has done as much as Apple to make their products cool and wanted by everyone.

I didn't notice it all that much until my wife mentioned it, then I started paying attention last fall and it was shocking how many Apple laptops are in shows. Apple has the great commerials, but their product logo is also in so many shows, it's like the non stop advertisement. The Apple logo sitting on so many desks, it's just something Dell can't buy no matter how many commercials they run, how thin they make a computer, or how much they try to compare themselves to Apple. Even people I run into from work who have never talked about computer or phone's mention something about a new phone (LG shine or whatever name) and always make a comparison to the iPhone. The fact they have clearly been imprinted by the media that the iPhone is the one to be measured against. Dell is no where near that type of name brand and asking this kind of money from Windows users who have come to expect their machines to be 50% of what Apple charges will be shocked to say the least.
Apple has warehouses full of "For TV" computers. Its no accident on their end that they are so common on TV.

[Schtumple]

Apple has warehouses full of "For TV" computers. Its no accident on their end that they are so common on TV.

To be honest, most companies have that, but they also then have to pay the TV shows to have their products in shot, this is getting pretty nerdy, but in Resident Evil 3, at one point there was a terrible moment where the camera slowly tracked along the floor moving closer to a desk, low angle shot looking up at a Sony Vaio laptop, I almost threw up...

[Goona]

Very unibody-ish.

Damn I almost mistook that for a Macbook. :eek:

[Goona]

Definitely an odd choice for Dell to release a clearly inferior competitor in virtually every category imaginable. I thought there were typos when I first saw the specs and pricing released.

BTW, the only true competitor (or close) I've found in the PC market is from Lenovo:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=FB7AF02917DF464B80B47A578BC9DD24

which gets you something comparable in the same size/weight class, but still with inferior 4500 graphics.

MSI is the one to look out for in terms of an MBA "killer" (from a price perspective).

http://www.liliputing.com/tag/msi-wind-x340

But likely it's going to be a very cheap feeling imitation of the MBA and with lesser graphics as well, but much less expensive.

- - -

All in all from the research I've done, it seems like the MBA is still standing tall in a class of its own. In fact you might argue it's the one piece of hardware the PC world has had absolutely no answer for (overall quality/price/performance) in over a year.

I hate thinkpads.

[notjustjay]

I hate thinkpads.

A quality rebuttal to the research-filled post you quoted.

[NT1440]

A quality rebuttal to the research-filled post you quoted.

And fully justified, clearly the man hates thinkpads. Does he have to provide some sort of evidence?

[APPLENEWBIE]

So to summarize...

Same screen as macbook
About the same weight as a macbook
Same shape and general "look"(more or less) as macbook
Same keyboard (more or less) as macbook
No optical drive (unlike a macbook)
Slower processor than macbook (1.2 c2d... :eek:)
Less ram than most macbooks
WAY more expensive than a macbook
and it tries to run Windows Vista with a slow processor and 2gb ram (like a $450 netbook).

Nice going Dell!

On the other hand, Dell did go find a Ive-ish looking designer... and a plastic shipping container!

On the other, other hand, it would probably work fairly well as a hackintosh...


Until one of the big PC manufacturers can find a way out of the commodity Windows trap, stuff like this Dell are doomed in terms of making any headway in the market.

[Woz Beard]

I have a hard time believing that working for Apple doesn't make you feel like you're hugging puppies.

Apple makes you feel like punching puppies, according to the few I've spoken to that work at Apple HQ.

:eek:

[Eyedn]

Ahh, the rumoured brick construction is finally here...

[darngooddesign]

Oh you mean it TAPERS toward the front? :rolleyes:

No I don't because both these sentences are correct.

The MBA is tapered towards the front.

The MBA tapers towards the front.

Thanks for playing.

[gkarris]

You know, after looking at its features and such all I can think is, what really was the target? If it had come in much lower in price than the MBA I could understand. But higher base price for less features? Slower processor, slower memory, AND slower graphics?

What were they smoking?


This all sounds like they were aiming at the original MBA and just could not get out the door in reasonable time.

Wait, which Adamo thread is this???? :eek:
(kidding)

If this unit has the X4500MHD graphics, Vista will be bearable.

These specs are more for Windows 7, which should run just fine on this machine.

I'm running Windows 7 on an old Thinkpad X31 with a Centrino 1.3 and an old 4200RPM hard drive with 1 Gig of RAM, and an old ATI Radeon Pro Mobile 16 Meg video chip and it runs great...

[UbuntuFu]

The fact that it's black and aluminum just means that a BLACK MACBOOK PRO is possible. I want that!!

[notjustjay]

The fact that it's black and aluminum just means that a BLACK MACBOOK PRO is possible. I want that!!

Hasn't Apple been offering black anodized aluminum products (iPods) for a while now? I don't think anyone ever suggested that a black MBP wasn't possible (though I don't know what kind of costs it adds to anodize a shell the size of a MBP).

A black frame would certainly go better with that black glass bezel and black keyboard.

[Goona]

A quality rebuttal to the research-filled post you quoted.

I just don't like the look of thinkpads, they've been looking the same for how long.

[iMacmatician]

but for $1999 it comes with 128GB SSDThe MacBook Air with the 128 GB SSD is $2299.

[iMacmatician]

Looks like there might be a 9" version of the Adamo.

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12690&Itemid=1

[gan6660]

I kind of want one.:D

[jessica.]

Looks like there might be a 9" version of the Adamo.

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12690&Itemid=1

This would ultimately be quite awesome. If it ran OSX.

[gan6660]

Why would dell release a laptop the looks just like the neww macbooks (alsmost) and has a glass screen and a display port? Hmmm... whos tring to copy apple now after they would suposed to fail as a company?

[NT1440]

Why would dell release a laptop the looks just like the neww macbooks (alsmost) and has a glass screen and a display port? Hmmm... whos tring to copy apple now after they would suposed to fail as a company?

:rolleyes:

While its obvious that Dell is copying the idea of the air (like thats hard to come up with really) the adamo couldnt be less apple-esque. The damn thing looks like a designer handbag, it doesnt share any of the minimalistic industrial looks that apple have down pat

[tubbymac]

With Dell's current track record the Adamo 9 inch will probably support a hackintosh but will end up costing over a thousand dollars and look like a lady's purse.

[iMacmatician]

With Dell's current track record the Adamo 9 inch will probably support a hackintosh but will end up costing over a thousand dollars and look like a lady's purse.Maybe it'll use this CPU as well.

http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupId=36685

(kidding)

[TuffLuffJimmy]

No I don't because both these sentences are correct.

The MBA is tapered towards the front.

The MBA tapers towards the front.

Thanks for playing.

I was saying that being tapered and getting thinner toward the front are the same exact thing! Your sentence was redundant.

[tubbymac]

Maybe it'll use this CPU as well.

(kidding)

Hah! Watch it end up using something even worse :)

Speaking of 9 inch machines though, Lenovo had a very innovative concept machine about 2 years ago. Too bad they never ran with it. I'm not a big fan of machines that small, especially ones with keyboards, but it was quite forward thinking for it's time. I've attached 5 pictures showing it's innovations:

1. It was covered in leather and had a leather strap so that you didn't need a case for it.

2. When you took the strap off and folded it, the strap became a wireless mouse!

3. The hinge was designed so that when sitting on a desk the keyboard was slightly angled and the back end slightly raised to improve exhaust airflow.

4. The size was smaller than most netbooks, and this was before netbooks had even caught on.

5. The hinge could be rotated 360 degrees so that the machine could be used as a touch tablet.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Hah! Watch it end up using something even worse :)

Speaking of 9 inch machines though, Lenovo had a very innovative concept machine about 2 years ago. Too bad they never ran with it. I'm not a big fan of machines that small, especially ones with keyboards, but it was quite forward thinking for it's time. I've attached 5 pictures showing it's innovations:

1. It was covered in leather and had a leather strap so that you didn't need a case for it.

2. When you took the strap off and folded it, the strap became a wireless mouse!

3. The hinge was designed so that when sitting on a desk the keyboard was slightly angled and the back end slightly raised to improve exhaust airflow.

4. The size was smaller than most netbooks, and this was before netbooks had even caught on.

5. The hinge could be rotated 360 degrees so that the machine could be used as a touch tablet.

Sony makes laptops in that form factor.

[NT1440]

Sony makes laptops in that form factor.

Not quite that exteme, but yes.

I had to chuckle when I saw the pics and said to myself "shame about the form factor, id never want that".

[lyew]

I just don't get it. Here we have a machine that has the processing power of a MacBook Air, in the casing about the size of a MacBook, and costs about the same as a 17" MacBook Pro???

[Shaun.P]

What a fantastic post :


No matter how hard they try Dell and every other PC maker is trying to get that "cool" vibe Apple brings to the table. Pick any Movie or TV show in the past 12 months that has computers sitting around. It could be any number of generic PC makers or you see the Apple, plain and clear sitting on someone's desk. Hollywood has done as much as Apple to make their products cool and wanted by everyone.

I didn't notice it all that much until my wife mentioned it, then I started paying attention last fall and it was shocking how many Apple laptops are in shows. Apple has the great commerials, but their product logo is also in so many shows, it's like the non stop advertisement. The Apple logo sitting on so many desks, it's just something Dell can't buy no matter how many commercials they run, how thin they make a computer, or how much they try to compare themselves to Apple. Even people I run into from work who have never talked about computer or phone's mention something about a new phone (LG shine or whatever name) and always make a comparison to the iPhone. The fact they have clearly been imprinted by the media that the iPhone is the one to be measured against. Dell is no where near that type of name brand and asking this kind of money from Windows users who have come to expect their machines to be 50% of what Apple charges will be shocked to say the least.

[Gunga Din]

http://www.adamobydell.com/

Thats the link to Dell's new notebook if anyone is interested. Base price is $1999. But I honestly don't see how or why you would pick this over the Air or even a MBP. Looks ok but the specs just don't seem to stack up.

Dell trying to compete with Air maybe? The sceen is a 13.3 HD 16:9. but other than that, seems very underpowered. They even offer a detached drive like the Air. Copycats !!

[aaquib]

The back of that thing looks FUGLY. What's the point of having a thin notebook when there's a huge brick sticking out the back?:confused:

Plus, 1.2GHz C2D? Embarassing.

[Tallest Skil]

Plus, 1.2GHz C2D? Embarassing.

Tell me again what the MacBook Air's processor's clocks are. :p

[nick9191]

Tell me again what the MacBook Air's processor's clocks are. :p
1.6 and 1.86 :confused:

[Tallest Skil]

1.6 and 1.86 :confused:

Curse you, dyslexia. I read it as 2.1.:o

Eh, we know the Adamo is crap. We don't need another thread on it.

[neiltc13]

It's thinner than MacBook Air and better looking than MacBook Air.

Once they get the internal components up to a decent speed they'll have a winner on their hands.

[Demosthenes X]

It looks all-right - I'm not a fan of the engraved lid, and overall I would call the Air more attractive, but that's subjective. Certainly the Dell is thin and light, which is what matters.

The Adamo might offer less power, but it does give the option for 4GB or RAM, come with a 128GB SSD vs. the Air's 80GB HDD standard, and has far better connectivity. Compared to the Air, that sounds pretty good. The Air gives you more power, but looses everywhere else.

Of course, the Air also has better looks (imo) and OSX. But if the Adamo can run OSX (and, considering how easily the Mini 9 does, this wouldn't surprise me) then what does the Air have over it?

I think in the next revision the Air will get solid spec bump to compete: 4GB RAM option and better SSD prices for sure.

[APPLENEWBIE]

But if the Adamo can run OSX (and, considering how easily the Mini 9 does, this wouldn't surprise me) then what does the Air have over it?.

Just a lower price, and faster processors, and better ram, and better looks, and no hacks to get it to run OSX. Other than that...:o

Really, think about poor Dell product designers and engineers, trying to develop adamo. They work and work and work, come up with something pretty nice, then they look again at the MBA price and ask themselves "how the *** did they do that???"

[MartiNZ]

Exactly. I'm surprised that Dell managed to come up with something less powerful and even more expensive than the jaw-drop-price Air.

And the main thing I have taken from the look and their advertising is that they have tried really hard to get a cool look ... but IMO they have tried too hard - the ass-ports are probably the main mistake though.

Then there's comparing the marketing of http://adamobydell.com to that of http://www.apple.com/macbookair. You've got forced video with sound, and all in black and white (odd choice if they're trying for cool with that IMO) vs. a total concentration on what is most cool about the Air, and the option to view a rather more colourful and cool/hip video - and there's a lot more useful information given straight up, there.

They also needed to do some better perspective shots to convince us about the thinness of this Adamo; it certainly doesn't look thinner than the Air as it is, and saying that when they're referring to the wee bit towards the back of the Air is a bit dodgy marketing IMO, but then again those words go together often enough :).

I'm gonna go with: without the ass, and with OS X and the Air keyboard, they would be onto something. It is a promising start as far as competition goes!

[iMacmatician]

Just a lower price, and faster processors, and better ram, and better looks, and no hacks to get it to run OSX. Other than that...:o...and lighter.

[Goona]

It's thinner than MacBook Air and better looking than MacBook Air.

Once they get the internal components up to a decent speed they'll have a winner on their hands.

It's not thinner than the Air and I doubt most people would say it's better looking.

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/20090316/altcoverwithAIR_copyX.jpg

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/20090316/IMG_1392X.jpg

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/20090316/IMG_1399X.jpg

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/20090316/IMG_1400X.jpg

[queshy]

Starts at $2500 CAD...are they nuts? Why not offer an HDD option?

[freediro]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/17/dell-adamo-announced-1-2ghz-core-2-duo-1-999/

Vista on 2GB of RAM and 1.2GHz? :eek:

Any one else feeling a lot better about their MBA purchase? ;)

lol yeah the Adamo does have some more ports, but the Dell is NO where near the strength in computing power that the MBAir offers! Plus the air is lighter and looks a lot better!

[queshy]

lol yeah the Adamo does have some more ports, but the Dell is NO where near the strength in computing power that the MBAir offers! Plus the air is lighter and looks a lot better!

and it runs OS X!

[mhnajjar]

There is no comparison between the Adamo and the MBA revB.

Adamo even fails against the Vaio TT which has similar specs but yet more and better options.

The only PC I think competes with the MBA in terms of looks is the VooDoo Envy 133 which is years behind!

[dudeitsjay]

No specs. What's the point? Something could have the prettiest case on the outside but the insides could be garbage.

like my macbook air? :X

haha don't get me wrong i love my mba, but only because i've dumbed my pcing down to its level.

[chstr]

No specs. What's the point? Something could have the prettiest case on the outside but the insides could be garbage.

cough MBA cough

I think it looks cool but it doesnt "look" thinner than the air

[mhnajjar]

like my macbook air? :X

haha don't get me wrong i love my mba, but only because i've dumbed my pcing down to its level.

That is because you are not willing to pay for a revB which is super perfect compared to revA :D

[imax2k2]

Here's a pretty decent review of the ultra portables (+ some not so portable) 13.3" notebooks -

http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=2329

[alphaod]

Very nice computer, except if I were to choose one, I'd buy the Thinkpad X301 :cool:


Plus, 1.2GHz C2D? Embarassing.

And entirely adequate; it's also a low-voltage offering, so that means better battery life as well.

[mhnajjar]

I'd buy the Thinkpad X301 :cool:


I do not understand how the Lenovo X-series fits in comparison since these machines (Air, Envy, Adamo) are luxury computers which the x-series fail to even trying to be part of.

There should be a luxury category for these machines rather than putting them under the ultra-portable one.

[dwcasey]

The keyboard looks horrid. Besides the LED backlit screen in the MBA the keyboard is my favorite feature. It slays my dell and HP laptop keyboards.

I actually like the way the Dell keyboard appears to sit down into the laptop. I prefer all my connectors in one place and having them all in the back makes the most sense to me. I never see the back, so I don't care so much about it's hump. But having all the cables back there makes cable management better.

Plus, the etching on the back is really slick.

It's weak on specs, but it's a good start.

[itou]

I wonder if Dell got english problem or something cause I remember their ad says, the world thinnest notebook.

The current world thinnest notebook is the MBA, so how can that chunk of brick be thinner then the MBA?

i wonder who else has English problems?

[Carl Abudephane]

It's thinner than MacBook Air and better looking than MacBook Air.

Once they get the internal components up to a decent speed they'll have a winner on their hands.

If you seriously believe that it's better looking than an Air then I feel that you are probably someone who thought Transformers to be a good movie.

No taste whatsoever, therefore no judgement and no opinion worth giving a damn about.

[Goona]

Seems like it's not an MBA beater.

[McGilli]

Best review I have read yet, thanks!

[still in school]

awesome review! thanks! it was very descriptive and informative!

edit* nice pictures as well!

[zer0tails]

review could use editing in the future.

[iNikon]

Your review left out one important image:

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Park/2070/ohyea3.GIF

[mhnajjar]

I think the OP wanted to refer to Gizmodo's review:

http://i.gizmodo.com/5205524/dell-adamo-full-review-macho-outside-sissy-inside

Sissy inside :D

[drjsway]

I think the OP wanted to refer to Gizmodo's review:

http://i.gizmodo.com/5205524/dell-adamo-full-review-macho-outside-sissy-inside

Sissy inside :D

My favorite quote from that review:

"The Adamo has a few fantastic features: Integrated 3G, eSATA, and a butt that just won't quit."

LOL.

[RogueVasion]

I think the OP wanted to refer to Gizmodo's review:

http://i.gizmodo.com/5205524/dell-adamo-full-review-macho-outside-sissy-inside

Sissy inside :D

mhnajjar took what I was going to say via Gizmodo.

It's without a doubt a sexy computer, but its internal specs are nothing to scream over.

I'll take a MBA anyday. :apple:

[stoconnell]

Engadget posted a story about Adamo tear down (http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/dell-adamo-torn-to-shreds-for-science-and-bragging-rights/) taken from a TechRepublic article (http://content.techrepublic.com.com/2346-13636_11-287411.html), which features some comparison shots and commentary with the MacBook Air.

[randomusername]

Am I the only person that finds the Adamo to be...hideous?

It looks like it's trying to hard. The butt it ugly, and I don't get the random, Swiss cheese looking holes poked into it. The body looks too box-like. The top looks lame and it just tries too hard. The inside looks cheap, the keyboard's font looks cheesy, and the trackpad is small. The laptop's design in one area is inconsistent with the rest of the computer. It just tries too hard.

Now, the MacBook Air is miles ahead in sexiness. It's sexy and it doesn't try to be. It just is. It's clean, consistent, elegant, and I love the tapered design.

The Adamo fails in every single way.

[Dr_Maybe]

It's 33% heavier? If it were the same weight or lighter or not that ugly, I would care to look at it.

[fun173]

dell still thinks its the era of laptops with fat backs like 20 years ago......

[fun173]

I think this vis pretty much sums it up?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uPcEPZ20jc

[chameleon81]

I saw this dell laptop yesterday. I dont see the point why it has such high price tag. Maybe I m missing sth.

http://www.adamobydell.com/

[thegoldenmackid]

Umm... Same thing as the MacBook Air. Light, sleek, thin and underpowered and overpriced.

[MacMini2009]

Macbook Air > Dell Adamo

[thegoldenmackid]

Macbook Air > Dell Adamo

Yes, but they were designed under the same concept. Also I believe that Engadget reported the other day that the price had dropped $500.

[chameleon81]

I know it is like MBA but high end MBA is £1,349.00 which is 350 pounds ( 579 dollars ) less.

I was really surprised when I saw it.

[stainlessliquid]

Its one of those stupid luxury computers like the HP Voodoo laptop. They arent concerned about making a profit from selling them, theyre just for showing off and getting brand recognition.

[lixuelai]

You can get the Adamo for $1100 refurb at Dell Outlet now.