Exclusive hands on with the Dell Adamo

It's been a big news day for Dell, with big announcements: the new Wasabi zink printer, a new Dell Mini with a 10" screen, GPS, TV tuner and edge-to-edge keyboard and screen, and the new luxury notebook line: Adamo. I persuaded Dell to let me snap a few pics of the Adamo (working, of course) and I have one thing to say: Macbook Air, watch out.

Adamo. Latin for "to fall in love with, to find pleasure with." Originally this was a code name, but Dell thought it was so fitting that they'll be using it for the final product -- and it's certainly easy to fall in love with the Adamo.

While we weren't given much in the way of hard specs for the Adamo (and what little we were given is under a non-disclosure agreement), I can say that Dell's new luxury portable is so far ahead of where they've been, it's almost hard to believe that it's Dell that has designed it.

The 13" Adamo I handled is super thin. It looks a little like the Voodoo Envy, with the very square lines and design. Despite being so thin, it feels very solidly built; it'd hurt to be smacked by one of these things. Dell has gone for a very minimal look with the Adamo line; the white version has a two-tone lid: half glossy plastic, half what I presume is brushed aluminum. All in all, it's a very sexy machine.

As a result of the very minimal nature of the Adamo, some of the ports were very minimal, too. The right side of the machine has what I believe is the power button and a headphone/line out jack. The back of the machine has AC in, two USB ports, an e-SATA/USB combo port, a DisplayPort outlet and an Ethernet jack (presumably Gigabit).

Heat vents are only featured along the rear of the notebook. The vent holes feature into the overall square design, with completely square holes. I was told that this was a point of contention with the product's designer; round holes can be drilled, but square holes must be laser cut, which adds additional cost. Fortunately for us, however, the design aesthetic won out.

Again, I can assure you that while some doubt has been cast as to whether the Adamo models were even bootable, I can attest they were working just fine and the pictures of this site up on the Adamo screen should convince those with doubts. We weren't told what the resolution was (or allowed to look), but the screen is nice and everything was very sharp. As the second picture shows, there's also certainly more than one Adamo floating around at CES.

The Adamo's power adapter is also very svelte. Again, more metal and glossy white plastic are found here, with the whole thing not weighing more than a couple of ounces.

Dell's new Adamo is one heck of a notebook. We're finally starting to see really amazing computer designs from several different manufacturers, and Dell's is right up with the best of them. No word on price was even mentioned, but I'm betting it isn't going to be cheap -- there's a lot of cool technology packed into there. And while we don't have much yet in the way of specs, I can promise you that there's more to this than what you've seen so far, and it looks like Dell is going to emerge as a very strong player in the high-end notebook market. Be sure to stay tuned to NotebookReview; we'll get a proper review up as soon as we can beg Dell to let us get some time in with it.

 

Well, I was going to accuse Dell of teasing us all with an emptied out hollow prototype and using that to whip up the media into a frenzy. It appears this thing does turn on after all and it's not total vaporware. Nice work J.R., the first shots of a white body version that I've seen. Which had the nicer look, black or white? I think I prefer the white look, should hide smudges much better.

Love the backlit keyboard there too.

 

the white version looks alot nicer than the black one based on the pics.

 

Wait a second while I pick my jaw up off of the floor.

Wow. I really can't believe that that is coming from Dell.

Something also looks funny in the photos of the screen, could that be the netbook version of Win7, or just a Vista skin? Also, it says "Internet Explorer provided by Dell" Maybe that is just a cover for it being the IE8 Beta, because the more I look at that shot, the more it looks like a skinned Vista (another Adamo brand advantage?) than any variant of 7.

Very interesting. I'll be keeping watch for any more info on Adamo.

Greg

 

So is there no display out?

Not enough ports.

Edit: apparently that is displayport.

 

What?! Where?! Show me!!

Adamo is seksy but Dell already had me lusting over the looks of the Precision M6400.

 

...nonremovable battery? Ew.

 

Based on the NBR screenshot, looks like a 1280x800 screen.

EDIT: On second glance, looks like a 16:9 screen, so maybe 1366x768 like the Sony Z.

 

The design is really beginning to grow on me, even with the strange port/vent hump at the back.

Doesn't seem like it could be a Dell notebook at all.

 

it is quite good for a DELL. but so not worth the hype. still not a macbook beater (by far!). it seems they draw heavy inpiration from apple.. that voodoo envy 133 is a lot better.

what material is the casing made from? is it from alumunium or plastic?

will they include a Free Fall Sensor i wonder... i think all notebook computer should use it.

 

+1 there are only 2 standalone USB ports + e-SATA/USB combo and Displayport

but it looks amazing.. I want one..

it looks to me that it is 16:9 screen with resolution of 1366:768

 

WOW its lovely!! i want one!!

 

Can it play crysis?...... just kiddin

It looks awesome, i was considering getting a zepto, but after checking this out i might change my mind.

Any news on which gpu it's gonna have?

 

First, I think it is great that notebookreview.com somehow got an exclusive hands on with this thing after Dell's gord attempt at a reveal.

Second, adamo actually translates to "I fall in love with." not "to fall in love with." adamare is the infinitive form. (This is what happens when you took 6 years of Latin in middle and highschool) x_X.

Now, as for the adamo laptop, well, it's kind of a mixed bag. You have this sleek looking machine that is trying to tap the luxury end of consumers with some Mac-esque styling. Why is Dell insisting we use this foolishly designed power adapter? The best would be some kind of retractable cable so the adapter itself doesn't occupy more plugs than it has to. Anyone with an NEC TurboGrafx16 will understand this concept was solved years ago: a pigtail.

The unit feels uninspired to me. I suppose that's what happens when Dell tries to make a Powerbook.

 

Nice move by Dell. This would mean that we can expect to see some competitions from HP and Lenovo as well as other manufacturers.
Any news on any of the high-end 17'' models???

 

It doesn't have got THREE USB ports, but TWO and the other one is a Displayport!

So you have to change that in your TopicStart!

 

HP already has it's competitor out now: HP/Voodoo Envy 133. They are both based off of Intel's design (thin as Razr design, laminar flow cooling).

 

^^ yeah, except it carries the Voodoo name, which means overpriced.

 

Fascinating, but I would much prefer a normal WXGA display with more vertical height. With such a compact PSU it can't use a lot of power.

John

 

No, it has three USB ports, plus the DisplayPort. The leftmost USB port is a USB/eSATA combo port.

You can't argue against a 13 inch laptop with 3 USB ports.

Greg

 

Yeah considering the MBA has 1 lol. Voodoo Envy has 1 and 1 eSATA/USB combo.

 

Any chance the final product will have a slot load DVD drive or is that just wishful thinking?

 

Wishful thinking, almost certainly. So is a removable battery, IMO.

 

I think Adamo is a new line for Dell, not the name of a specific machine; ie as Voodoo is to HP, Adamo is to Dell.

This new Dell does look great, but the innards are going to be key. The Asus S101 also looks great, but it has pretty plain innards. I'd also want to know who the OEM is who made it for Dell. Dell has had component quality issues in the past. Given that this is likely a luxury / premium offering, it will probably be better built. Shall we start the price guessing at $1500 base?

 

Impressive. The size of the AC adapter. " Me want. Too bad this is probably gonna be in the same league as the MacBook Air price wise. Not willing to spend that just to take to class with me. But boy is this thing sexy. Love thin notebooks. eSATA + Displayport... 2 USB isnt that bad.

 

I wouldn't be so hype on the thinness, until I see how it handles heat. Those two things don't get along.

 

Random thought: If it's not made of carbon fiber it should have been.

 

Really nice around the palm rest, keyboard, and the edges..... some how the back part sticking out the back from the screen just doesn't look nice at all thus inferior to Envy and Macbook design in my opinion...... still.... the new Dell laptops released recently seem to have better designs.... will wait to see the specs

 

copy cat

 

As long as they copy the right things

 

that would double its already likely high price.

 

I like the design. One thought that came to my mind immediately was however that the notebook case looks very large for a 13" notebook (there's a lot of unused space if you compare the notebook body and the screen).

 

Yes I agree with you.The back part is very strange because the screen hinges don't come up to the rear end of the body.
It seems to have a nice minimalist design but the position of the screen hinges somehow ruins the whole picture.

Obviously they have put all ports on the back because the main body at the sides is thinner than the ports themselves!No problem with that.
I love thin notebooks but this is a very particular design.I can't say i like it or not yet.I have to see it live.

 

Hey man, I just do what I can. Actually, I think the white looked so much nicer than the black, and I am not one to like white consumer electronics at all, so that should say something. I'm really excited about this notebook; I think it's a very cool piece of kit, and good on Dell for putting it out.

 

Heh, enough with the copycat accusations... It reminds of how everyone starts accusing every single Touchscreen only "smartphone" out on the market right now of being an iPhone copy-off...

Anyway, interesting move for Dell. Let's see how expensive this will be! I'm also wondering where this fits in with the new Studio XPS, does that mean the m1330 and m1530 will be phased out?

 

I would buy this in a heartbeat if this came with an integrated GeForce 9400M graphics chip. Good job Dell, you've managed to beat Apple in the stylish department this round.

 

Interesting - I figured this mysterious notebook would turn out to be another small netbook like the Sony P Serie turned out to be, but I'm rather glad to see it's not - and I actually like the design. Seems like perhaps Dell really did have something up their sleeves.

I do recall hearing they were going phase out the XPS series, and they still haven't updated the 1330/1530/1730, so it wouldn't surprise me if this becomes their 1330 replacement. The Studio XPS may replace the 1530, and the 1730 - anyone have any guesses on that? Leave it to Alienware?

I agree, this is better style-wise than the new MacBook, which was in itself a big step up over the old MacBook. Both in stylistic elements and the fact that it appears to have a reasonable level of glossy-ness. Sometimes style, not shine, really is style .

 

Yeah, the XPS moniker has gone from a brand in and of itself to more of a modifier. So instead of having XPS notebooks and desktops, you'll have the Studio XPS, or maybe the Inspiron XPS. At some point in the future you might even see an Adamo XPS model.

And I agree, I like the styling on these units more than the current crop of Macbooks. I really think Dell has hit it out of the park with the Adamo.

 

I'm not sure if I'm the only one in the boat, but I'm not crazy about the styling of this laptop at all. Esp the hinge in the middle. It reminds me of the big notebooks of the yesteryears where there's a hump in the back. The bottom have of the notebook also looks to be unibody as I don't see any seams. The design cue does look to be borrowed from both the envy as well as the macbook.

As much as I don't like the design, I must say that this is a nice looking notebook from a company whose name is synonymus with generic everyday notebooks.

 

Both models look amazing, I am not sure which one I like better. I can't wait for these to come out and show us what's really under the hood.

 

very very nice from dell. looks like they may be making a come back this year with some great stuff

 

anyone know the estimate release date for this? would be a perfect gift for my sis's graduation if the price is right

 

They have said before probably February, not sure if it still stands, but hopefully it does.

 

I agree on the hinge, it looks quite awkward and a potential nightmare for catching things (think loose threads) when being pulled out of a bag or case.

I do like the fact they've rounded the edges somewhat and they don't look sharp. I was amazed with the Voodoo how darn square and sharp the case was, you could slice yourself on it. If you get hit by it or accidentally run your hand along the edge fast, look out emergency room, but it does double as a cheese slicer nicely when you're in a pinch.

 

Yeah, I think Dell's starting to realize they can't fall back much longer, especially during the recent economic struggles.

 

Isn't that an expresscard/34 slot? I would think the power button would be inside like on the M1330 or something. just wondering

 

This looks very nice but Dell has confused me without specs/pricing!

Now I dunno if I should order an SXPS within the next couple weeks as I was going to, or wait for more details about Adamo to become available!

 

Great laptop from Dell. It's also nice to see an ultrathin laptop with a fairly healthy selection of ports.

Too bad pricing will be well what most people can afford these days. above

 

NBR is on fire lately which is good!

hmm,I quite like it!Looks like a decent alternative to MBA!also,this new style "moves" from dell/hp/sony will force apple to work harder!

 

You guys are getting all the CES scoops! Nice job.

On another note, this is an entirely different notebook compared with the MacBook Air, they are trying but Dell has a long way to go to achieve an elegant design. I don't know about that "elbow".