What recession? Dell unveils the $2,000 Adamo notebook

by Stevie Smith - Mar 18 2009, 16:00

Evidently, when it comes to the need to overshadow Apple’s popular MacBook Air, computer manufacturer Dell cares not a jot about the pressures of recession being shouldered by the tech-buying masses. Meet the Adamo.

Lauded by Dell as the world’s thinnest notebook computer, the fashion conscious and ultra skinny Adamo is a ridiculously svelte 0.65-inch (1.63cm) and represents the first offering in an upcoming range of luxury platforms from the Texas-based giant.

While it delivers an even more slender profile than the MacBook Air, the new Adamo is still slightly heavier than Apple’s alternative, although 1.8kg (approx. 4lbs) is hardly likely to cause any shoulder injuries in those willing to cough up the starting price of $2,000 USD.

So does Dell justify the heavier weight by cramming the Adamo and its sleek aluminium unibody design with a truly rich selection of features and functions?

The Dell Adamo comes in two specifications, the first of which includes a surprisingly basic 1.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (SU9300) and 2GBs of DDR3 RAM, while the second comes with a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SU9400) and 4GBs of DDR3 RAM. Notably, both processing options come in below the MacBook Air's 1.86GHz chip.

In terms of data storage and operational longevity, the Adamo provides 128GBs of SSD, as opposed to the base 120GB HDD in the MacBook Air, while Dell claims the notebook will run for five hours on a single charge to its removable lithium polymer battery. 

One-upmanship aside, other core attributes include a 'HD Ready' 13.4-inch display screen (1366x768) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an Intel X4500 graphics chip, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth wireless networking, a full-sized DisplayPort connector, and optional mobile broadband.

The Adamo is the computer manufacturer’s opening salvo in creating “gotta have it” appeal, enthused Dell spokesman Bob Kaufman. The Adamo is “the kind of thing you’d like to get as an anniversary or Christmas gift,” he added. “It evokes this kind of emotion with people.”

The Adamo, which comes complete with accompanying metal/glass accents, is being offered up in sassy colour choices of either Onyx or Pearl.

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