Dell Adamo XPS launches above MacBook Air's price
updated 01:00 pm EST, Thu November 5, 2009
Adamo XPS thinner, slower than Apple rival
Dell today officially launched the Adamo XPS, the highest-end version of its designer ultraportable. The system is championed as the thinnest notebook ever and measures just 0.39 inches at its thickest point. Dell accomplishes the feat by tucking most of the computer components into the display section and relying on a unique hinge that opens underneath and acts as a built-in prop . In spite of its slimness, the notebook still has a removable battery, two USB ports and DisplayPort output but also weighs slightly more than its MacBook Air rival at 3.2 pounds.
Also new are location awareness (though not full GPS) and a unique locking mechanism that, as long as the PC has power, seals the system and requires that the owner swipe a finger over a heat-sensitive touch strip to open the notebook.
Although it has the XPS badge, the new Adamo sits primarily at the lower end of the earlier Adamo 13's performance range and ships with an ultra-low voltage 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. However, its dimensions also give it just two hours of battery life on a regular three-cell pack and require an extended battery to bring its runtime up to 5.25 hours. It does tout significantly faster NVIDIA integrated graphics versus the slower Intel hardware of before.
Dell won't commit to a specific release date but expects the Adamo XPS to ship by the holidays. Its pricing promises to be controversial as the stock configuration will cost $1,799, or as much as a high-end MacBook Air with a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo S and five hours of life on its built-in battery.
Huh?
11/05, 01:25pm (1 reply) reply
That thing has to be about the dumbest looking laptop I have seen. Does anyone actually type at that angle? It looks pretty extreme to me.
Bearcat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
Good Job Dell
11/05, 01:30pm reply
I'm not going to argue aesthetics or usability but... atleast they are trying and coming up with their own designs.
bleee
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
Simple Machines.
11/05, 02:06pm reply
Look up the chapter on levers. That hinge better be very very (very) strong.
jpellino
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
Sykes
11/05, 03:16pm reply
Wow! That is pretty, pretty bad ergonomically. With this design, you are forced to type at an angle which is really bad. When typing, the wrists should remain 180° to the keyboard as much as possible.
Besides, this thing looks really stupid.
thibaulthalpern
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2008
angle
11/05, 03:27pm reply
Personally, I can't stand flat keyboards. But that angle seems high. Then again, those pictures look more like artist's renderings than actual product pictures.
But I'm sure they put it through usability tests before making it.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Not really a "lap"top
11/05, 04:26pm reply
That thing would be obnoxious to use for an extended amount of time on your lap, wouldn't it? Seems to be a feat of engineering, in some respects, I'll grant it that, but usability is the last test, and you either pass or fail...
PRoth
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2008
interesting
11/05, 05:40pm reply
I'm no fan of Dell, but that is one of the more interesting designs I've seen from them in a long time. Looks clean. Don't know if I'd want the display digging into my knees, though.
Glasspusher
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2000
I guess thin is in?
11/11, 01:22am reply
What is this insane competition to make thin notebooks? Light weight is important. Inexpensive is important. Thin is not important. And this thing is just plain stupid-looking when open.
Undo Redo
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Joined: Jan 2009