Dell kind of, sort of unveils the Adamo ultra-thin notebook

[AppleInsider]

After weeks of speculation surrounding Dell's rumored MacBook Air competitor, the PC maker finally gave a sneak peek to journalists of its new Adamo portable at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

But much to*the dismay of those attending, it was hard to get a clear look at the machine. A model carried the notebook around in front of the room in only one hand but in low light, then she was whisked away from the stage.

According to*Engadget, all they could get out of Dell execs was that "Alienware is [Dell's] top performance brand, Adamo is our top design brand."

Dell consumer sales and marketing vice president Michael Tatelman said the Adamo will represent Dell's "luxury franchise", and to expect a release in the first half of this year. *Tatelman declined to reveal any information about price, saying development is on schedule and this was only a "sneak peek".

Last December, AppleInsider*reported*on the rumors surrounding this ultrathin notebook, which Dell will reportedly market as the "world's thinnest notebook". But it's hard to see how, judging by these photos published by Gizmodo:

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[BuffyzDead]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

as the "world's thinnest notebook"

....."as the "world's thinnest notebook"......in The "Dell World of Laptops"

[columbus]

From the engadget photo's it looks closer to the 2006 Black MacBook than the 2008 MacBook Air.



The Air is difficult engineering and it has a high price because of it.

[davebarnes]

No matte screen for you.
Very nice looking.
Definitely a smudge magnet.

[crentist]

Originally Posted by columbus

From the engadget photo's it looks closer to the 2006 Black MacBook than the 2008 MacBook Air.



The Air is difficult engineering and it has a high price because of it.

I don't think this beats the MBA by any stretch of the imagination, but still I can't help but wonder how they are going to use that tagline. Even if they say it's the World's thinnest "PC" or "Windows" laptop, just fire up BootCamp on the Air and there go those claims as well.

Plus, would it really count anyway if you try to make your portables thinner by making the footprint larger (don't forget the battery hanging off the back)?!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

No matte screen for you.
Very nice looking.
Definitely a smudge magnet.

It will be packed full of smudge!

[NasserAE]

I think it looks OK except for the hinge and the part sticking out behind the display. I think the black border around the screen need to be reduced. However, they need to spend more on the design to call it luxury laptop. Maybe they should stop trying to copy Apple designs and come up with something original instead.

[Lafe]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

After weeks of speculation surrounding Dell's rumored MacBook Air competitor, the PC maker finally gave a sneak peek to journalists of its new Adamo portable at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

But much to*the dismay of those attending, it was hard to get a clear look at the machine. A model carried the notebook around in front of the room in only one hand but in low light, then she was whisked away from the stage.

That model is kinda scary. So is the laptop. That ledge on the back is weird.

I love how they revealed it in a rushed situation in a dark environment, and ran
off.

Too funny!

[Feynman]

This years Dell ultra-thin notebook book is last years (well two years ago?) Apple's black MacBook!

[lotusz]

Originally Posted by crentist

I don't think this beats the MBA by any stretch of the imagination, but still I can't help but wonder how they are going to use that tagline. Even if they say it's the World's thinnest "PC" or "Windows" laptop, just fire up BootCamp on the Air and there go those claims as well.

Plus, would it really count anyway if you try to make your portables thinner by making the footprint larger (don't forget the battery hanging off the back)?!

Well, if they succeeded in making it just a tad thinner than the air at it's thickest point, then can validate their claim.

nonetheless the constant thickness will make it feel thicker anyway.

doesnt look bad, but i'm not a big fan either;

[MacTel]

Wow, beautiful! The laptop is so-so though.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by lotusz

Well, if they succeeded in making it just a tad thinner than the air at it's thickest point, then can validate their claim.

nonetheless the constant thickness will make it feel thicker anyway.

doesnt look bad, but i'm not a big fan either;

I remember a time when some Apple fans ragged on Windows notebooks that had the wedge shape. Now that Apple does it, it's a feature.

I think it's kind of nifty, though I think the hinge should be at the back edge, not forward a bit.

[0SX]

but can it cut cake? i don't think so. michael dell, you fail!

[nowayout11]

Not in the same class as the Air, but not bad.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by columbus

From the engadget photo's it looks closer to the 2006 Black MacBook than the 2008 MacBook Air.

The Air is difficult engineering and it has a high price because of it.

I think Air is more like costly construction than difficult engineering. The engineering behind making a billet frame isn't that terribly difficult, it just consumes more material and more machine time than other case manufacturing processes.

Originally Posted by crentist

Plus, would it really count anyway if you try to make your portables thinner by making the footprint larger (don't forget the battery hanging off the back)?!

That seems to be offset by having a bezel that's not as wide. The air's screen bezel is pretty wide. We'll see for sure when the device specs are published if the footprint is really pushed out or not.

[Booga]

Two things strike me:
1. It looks most like an old ThinkPad to me. Blocky and black. It doesn't look like it was "designed" at all, just packed into a rectangular case.
2. Am I the only one who has a histomine reaction to phrases like "luxury franchise" when trying to compete against Apple? I don't consider Apple a luxury buy-- I think it's worth the money and is a reasonable return on investment. If Dell is trying to sell to "luxury" buyers they aren't really in the same market as Apple, IMHO.

[pixelnyc]

poop

[Expat]

Not that great. It seems pretty plain, and really, as discussed, its not that unique.

That being said, while some people might think it looks good, its only because it hasn't been turned on. You hit the power and see a Vista start screen - then it becomes a truly ugly POS.

[hiimamac]

You know,

There are a lot of super THIN laptops announced at CES this year so unsure why the DELL is the focus right now -

Last night I bashed windows music (new) program - but after reviewing some of windows 7 (downloading now), microsoft has quite a bit of advantage with the CLOUD experience, TV and computing, Touch phones, super high end table touch pc's that get all the info from the device simply by placing it on the screen, the task bar does great things in WINDOWS 7 as far as orginzation, and a lot more. Epsecially for productivity and their partners are coming out of the woodwork.

In retrospect, Apple can't get PUSH right and doesn't have FLASH/Copy Paste for iPhone and their cloud (ME) seems way behind compared to what MS is doing, and you can't compare things like Apple TV to what the end user will be able to do with PC's - Windows 7 will be a bust of a huge hit.

I could be wrong but it may look like Apple is the one playing catch up.

http://www.oled-display.net/images/s...d-notebook.jpg

[Virgil-TB2]

Well the guys from Engadget that took the snaps and have seen it closer than anyone so far said it looked "less than an inch thick." The Macbook Air is barely a hair over 3/4 of an inch thick (0.76"). The thinnest laptop ever was 0.72" (but it was a flop for other reasons).

I'd be surprised if this is thinner than an Air. It certainly doesn't look like it. If it is, we are talking perhaps a tenth of an inch or maybe even millimetres.

[bloggerblog]

Why doesn't someone break the ice and introduce a multi touch LCD for a keyboard? Both Windows and OS X are capable of handling such input.

[mrpiddly]

What the hell is with laptop makers sticking the battery on the"outside" of the laptop. It makes the laptop look cheap, poorly designed (ugly), and most of the time it does nothing to increase either computational power (which the extra space should allow) or battery life.

[hiimamac]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

Well the guys from Engadget that took the snaps and have seen it closer than anyone so far said it looked "less than an inch thick." The Macbook Air is barely a hair over 3/4 of an inch thick (0.76"). The thinnest laptop ever was 0.72" (but it was a flop for other reasons).

I'd be surprised if this is thinner than an Air. It certainly doesn't look like it. If it is, we are talking perhaps a tenth of an inch or maybe even millimetres.

Look at the link I posted - very thin and a few images I have seen from CES look really tight as do the phones.

Then of course, we can't even compare say Netflix MS vs Apple TV. This netflix and microsoft thing is huge, no limits, zapping of files, and MS seems to be getting everything streamed and one of the things they DO DO better, is CLOUD technology. I didn't feel like this last night, but after further review, plus some of the lackluster that the iPhone has (I had 2), I really do believe MS is going to do very well this time around. Apple's problem is they have to many restrictions and proprietary vibes to everything they do while taking away firewire due to fear of 1% of PRO user buying a cheap system. (See my past posts on how Apple replace GMA and benchmarks went from 171% to 70% as reported from Barefeats and hurt only those who were loading PRO APPS on past gen MACBOOKS. I mean really Apple, do you have to fear LESS THAN the 1% loyal?

What can we do. PRO and 1 to 1 went from SHAKE, FCP, LOGIC to barking dogs, elderly learning how to attach emails and iPhoto switchers with many of the mac personal having no idea about the pro markets.

All MS really needs is a good EDITING PROGRAM, and a decent iLife app, (some say it's coming in their cloud and can be had now with Windows Live and they are going to do really well.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I think Air is more like costly construction than difficult engineering. The engineering behind making a billet frame isn't that terribly difficult, it just consumes more material and more machine time than other case manufacturing processes.

When I said difficult engineering, I wasn't talking about just manufacturing the unibody. To have a computer you have to put something inside the case as well.

Originally Posted by Feynman

This years Dell ultra-thin notebook book is last years (well two years ago?) Apple's black MacBook!

Mine's coming up for 3 years soon.

Originally Posted by hiimamac

After reviewing some of windows 7 (downloading now), microsoft has quite a bit of advantage with the CLOUD experience, TV and computing, Touch phones, super high end table touch pc's that get all the info from the device simply by placing it on the screen, the task bar does great things in WINDOWS 7 as far as orginzation, and a lot more. Epsecially for productivity and their partners are coming out of the woodwork.

With all due respect, this is about as well thought out and coherent and Microsoft's CES presentation. All the buzzwords and technologies are there, just not necessarily in any particular order or put together in a sensible, useful fashion.

[Virgil-TB2]

it doesn't even look much thinner than the Macbook Pro, let alone the Air. Check out the two photos below where you can see the ports for comparison.

More importantly, if you were in the market for a "luxury" laptop, which of these would you choose?

I think only an idiot would think that the plastic Dell one looks better than teh sexy MacBook Pro, and if money is an issue, well then you are not really in the market for a luxury laptop are you?

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by hiimamac

Look at the link I posted - very thin and a few images I have seen from CES look really tight as do the phones....

You do realise that this is not a real computer right?
It's a mock-up of a "wouldn't it be nice in the future" kind of thing.

[Lafe]

Originally Posted by hiimamac

I could be wrong but it may look like Apple is the one playing catch up.

You could indeed be wrong . . . especially if it takes another two years
for MS to truly release their new version of Windows.

[hzc]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I remember a time when some Apple fans ragged on Windows notebooks that had the wedge shape. Now that Apple does it, it's a feature.

I think it's kind of nifty, though I think the hinge should be at the back edge, not forward a bit.

Yes, wedge - bad, tapered - good!

[nagromme]

With a real MacBook Air refurb now costing $999 with full warranty from Apple, a "luxury" brand may not be much competition!

And a laptop that's slightly thinner that the Air's MAXIMUM may still be much thicker in AVERAGE thickness--and that matters. Average thickness is what makes a less bulky machine. An Air's average thickness is about half its maximum.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I think it's kind of nifty, though I think the hinge should be at the back edge, not forward a bit.

The hinge being moved forward allows the back part to be full-thickness. That's a decent solution to the problem of fitting ports into a thin laptop. (Though I do like the Air's hinge better.)

[rnp1]

Too bad this Dell copy of a Mac doesn't run OSX. BTW, try downloading Windows 7 beta, or better yet try to find out where to do that from the MS web sight. I tell ya, people are gonna storm into the Apple store, "Mad as hell and they're not gonna take it anymore!" Windows 7 is another dog (a wolf in goats clothing that stinks like wet camel hair!)
At CES the guy demoing W7 even had the guts to suggest that the stolen dock at the bottom of there window wasn't from 'barrowed' Apple, but is rather actually " based on Windows 1.0"!!!! Well, Windows 1.0 is still based on Apples System 1.0! Lies and more copying. Hey Microsoft, with Windows 7, your still three versions away from OS Ten! Keep trying-and if Jesus doesn't come back first, you might get it right by the end of the Mayan calender!

[slapppy]

Complete failure on DELL. The fancy cryptic ad and purposely leaked rumors only enforces the big let down that some DELL fans was hoping for.

[godrifle]

Stupido.

[gto65l]

Originally Posted by hiimamac

I could be wrong but it may look like Apple is the one playing catch up.

Is that why every competitor copies Apple's MP3 players, laptops, cellphone, operating system, etc? That is like saying that the NFL is playing catch up to the Detroit Lions!

Seriously, this this is straight ugly! How hard is it to make a hinge that doesn't look like it came off a Playskool toy? I hate to break the news to Dell, but square and boxy plastic hasn't been popular since the 80s... Thank you Dell for easing my fears that someday Apple may be outdone in innovation.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by hiimamac

I could be wrong but it may look like Apple is the one playing catch up.

This would be a horrible laptop. My iPhone replaced my laptop, but at the end of the day... I need a REAL keyboard with tactile response. Anything else simply won't work.

[fivenorth]

If so, what a joke. Six months from now the MacBook Air will be so far ahead of the competition the "Adamo" won't matter. The only real piece left for Apple is to figure out how to cram either 3G or WiMax into the Air without crushing the battery life.

[wheelhot]

There is something that I dont get, it says that Adamo will be the world's thinnest notebook? How the heck is it thinnest if it looks like a brick?

[icfireball]

The model looks eerily similar to the laptop...

[hiimamac]

Originally Posted by columbus

When I said difficult engineering, I wasn't talking about just manufacturing the unibody. To have a computer you have to put something inside the case as well.


Mine's coming up for 3 years soon.



With all due respect, this is about as well thought out and coherent and Microsoft's CES presentation. All the buzzwords and technologies are there, just not necessarily in any particular order or put together in a sensible, useful fashion.

Have you seen live . com?

How about MESH ? Mesh includes FULL support for MACS - check it out.
MSFT is in partner with NETFLIX too, far better deal than Apple TV

and with all the hoopla on how a DELL looks like a MACBOOK from 2 years ago, I take it know one has seen the new MSI machines, basically a carbon copy of the AIR...

Sure DELL released a FLOP but check out these OTHER PC's





I am by no means an MSFT apollogetist its just that this time, I think MICROSOFT is going to HAMMER apple and it's cloud features, tv delivery, mac compatible services, GPUGPU (which snow leapord does not have), MESH, LIVE, application services, meaning WORD and probably CS5 down the road and so much more, from any computer.

Then, you look at the images from above which is almost a clone of the AIR and you have to admit, just becuase DELL got it wrong doesn't mean others will, plus you have ANDROID. Apple can't even impliement PUSH, flash or copy/paste whereas MSFT is going to focus on services, table top displays, benable monitors that you can fold and put in your back pack, and TOUCH is built into Windows 7. Again, not an apologist for Microsoft but I call it like it is and have been an Mac user for a while - but was also a PC user back in the day, plus working in I.T. and MS looks like they really got it under control, especially with partners. Plus AMD has a new netbook under $600. Combine all this power and Apple will have to reduce prices and stop releasing proprietary hardware that VAPORIZES movies (example) from Apple TV (no DVR), meanwhile, PC's can record DVR shows from computers, laptops, phones, plus stream.

Think about it - I predicted years ago, FCP editors will be in demand as the NET will replace TV and shows will be every where, (with it also will come better EDITING PLATFORMS from any computer (SERVICE SOFTWARE) while Apple locks you into their hardware, or forces you to get a $2000 machine if you want a laptop, good graphics, and firewire. Plus the GPUGPU built into Windows 7 looks like a winner.

I haven't felt this way for a while and after reviewing some of the features of windows 7 plus their services, it looks stellar. Apples answer is iWork and Mobile Me which are a far cry from LIVE, MESH, NETFLICKS, plus, as many know, if you bought a laptop that had a GMA Intel motherboard/GPU you could hack it for OSX and now that support is out for Nvidia on the MACBOOK, one only needs a PC netbook with firewire and same GPU (or non netbook) and one can have dual booting OSX for editing, and WINDOWS 7 for social networking on a machine that is half the cost and two times more powerful, not to mention all the new CPU's coming out and overclocking that some users will do.

Again, many who know me now I am not a MS apologetist, in fact I SLAMMED Microsoft's music program yesterday but having looked into it much more, Microsoft has the lead on social networking, delivery, GPU performance, partners and much more.

While I am a fan of Apple, I am NOT a fan boy and need to tell it like it is - many think MS copies when in fact (e.g.) MS invented the search FIRST but APPLE delivered it FIRST, with the DOCK, it was created by K'bulator (google YZ Dock) and in terms of Operating Systems, in 2/3D, Sun Microsystems had it first, years ago... here:


http://www.sun.com/software/looking_glass/

Go to VIEW DEMO and see it work live (at the time) about 5 minutes in.
2003 which things like the iPhone has almost 5 years later.

Peace

[piot]

hiimamac. Any chance you can calm down a bit?

We're just talkin' about a couple of notebooks here! Your stream of consciousness shit is making me dizzy.

[Vituperable]

You do realize that the Macbook Air clone is plastic right? You should also realize that just as competitors are starting to catch up(which is debatable) that Apple is readying to pull away again.