According to the New York Times, Dell may have a little surprise on the way. Based on some wild trademark searches, a tiny bit of digging on the "internet" using a "search engine," and the lack of eye contact from the company's VP in charge of consumer sales (Michael Tatelman), there's a MacBook Air rival beneath all this subterfuge. It seems that the brand name "Adamo" is registered to the computer-maker with a site to match, and somehow the fashion blog (!?)
Uptownlife.net came up with this gem: "Rumor has it that Dell is coming out with a computer called Adamo that will rival the MacBook Air." How they came up with that is anyone's guess, but apparently the look on Tatelman's face when asked about it was enough to convince at least one journalist that this is a done deal. Us? Well we're going to wait and see, but we're happy to work with Commander Adamo as soon as we see him.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted Dec 18th 2008 4:56PM
Interesting...
Yes, very interesting. Especially if the price is lower like...
AWSEM-O...
Adamo is the name of a FTTH company in Spain that offers 100/20 Mbps for 29 euros a month or 100/100 Mbps for 49 euros a month. I wonder if Dell will be allowed to used that name in Spain or if they'll have to change it.
Here's the web page:
http://www.adamo.es/
i jizzed in my pants
Supposedly its going to be lighter. thinner but $300 - $500 cheaper. So I can't wait to see what they've got.
Shit better not be Atom based :)
I'd snap one up instantly.
Please don't say "snap" when you're talking about such thin laptops... I always think about wafer bars going *snap*
So, a 1.6GHz Macbook Air is $1799. Minus $300 is $1499, big whoop. Minus $500 is $1299 which would be quite something if they field the right product in this space. Still the competition among ultralights has prices WAY UP THERE so anything from Dell would be a nice break.
it's cheaper because dell puts garbage screens in their laptops.
people put up with it for some reason ...
I was going to hit the comments to see how long until a Galactica reference but then I finished the article... way to go Josh.
LOL exactly what I was thinking as I was reading it :)
...+10 internets Mr.Topolsky...
I wonder-O which processor-O this will be based-O on
Michael Tatelman was also reportedly sheepish about rumors that it comes loaded with 16GB of music from this gentleman: http://www.adamosalvatore.com/
I'm waiting for the Rosalino.
How will it rival the Air?
will it run OSX?
otherwise I don't see how it will be a rival at all.
More than one USB port and it already does. Anyway, you can leave your Mac OS X is the god of everything speech at the door.
Apple twat.
If by rival you mean they will build an overpriced, underpowered, no optical drive, no ports computer, then probably NO.
maybe it will actually be useful for something
I'd be careful there "E"... Dell may pop out a model or two without an optical drive.
Just an observation from me: it is now almost "wrong" to be an Apple fanboy in a very blurred and cannot-see-your-damn-comment kinda way.
Anyone else think this all started when iEye and CLAK etc started commenting?
I miss iEye and CLAK, this new generation of Apple fanboys are much more irritating.
Just because it doesn't come with it doesn't mean it won't run.
If OSX was publicly available to run on any hardware, Dell would be obligated to offer it as an OS choice, in my opinion, as I feel they are obligated to offer Ubuntu. If you have a problem with OSX not being installed on this line of machines, you've got Apple to talk to about that.
Well, I'm glad to see that the idiots are out in force this morning. No, whatever this is, it is not a direct competitor to the MacBook Air. Assuming that it is a "thin 'n' light" laptop then it is going to be a competitor to the likes of the Lenovo X300, Voodoo Envy, etc. This is not a complex concept. If the computer won't run your software then you are unlikely to buy it. You seem to think that this is an unimportant thing whereas it is a fundamental issue.
Mind you, if you do not already have an investment in one computing platform then it could be considered a competitor. I just doubt that applies to many people these days.
This will be a great laptop if:
Has Vista with XP or Ubuntu/Linux optional
Has a cd/dvd slot/drive
has 2 usb 2.0 ports
has at least 80gb hd
has at least 2gb ram
I wouldn't be surprised if you have the OS options.
Dell has been pretty good at letting buyers have the choice.
I'm just basing this on the lightweight specification and the graphic, but anyone care to speculate as to whether this will be a carbon fiber rig?
"Rival the Macbook Air?" Why would you want to?
Cause it is so easy to beat?
It's not sharp enough to really cut the task of cutting cakes.
@iKurt Mark II
Apple was definitely not the first to have an ultra-thin laptop. The MacBook Air was created because other computer manufacturers, like Dell and Sony were far ahead of them. Apple just decided it was better to have a faster processor and bigger screen on an ultraportable.
@rock99rock:
"Because it is so easy to beat" is a rather thin argument. The ultraportable meets the needs of only a few people - those who are constantly on the go. If Dell decides to mass market this, it's going to be a waste of time and resources. I have a sinking feeling that this is going to turn out much like when Sprint acquired Nextel - although obviously less dire.
@ The WC
"The ultraportable meets the needs of only a few people - those who are constantly on the go."
a few. Including every college, everywhere. everyone on an airplane.
Of the percentage of people who own laptops, i might assume that a majority of them fit in the above categories. The Ultra-portable niche has expanded 10 fold since conceived by fujitsu and sony back in the day. I think it is bad timing to be sure, given the current state of the economy, but this laptop should be successful if the specs are right.
It'll be good to see yet another manufacturer shitting on all the Apple-haters by validating the form factor/functionality of another Apple product. Such as with the iPod, iPhone, iMac, etc.
I'm sick to death of hearing people insist the Air isn't a 'proper computer' when I, a complete geek, use one every day as my one-and-only machine.
Hopefully this Dell will drive a bit of competition in the market and perhaps shift a move away from dubiously useful netbooks.
Considering that some netbooks may rival it is rather...unsettling. I'm no Mac lover but I can see why people would like OSX. The Macbook Air is only thinner rather than having a smaller footprint. I almost consider it to be as useful as various netbooks.
Before you get all excited by the possibility of Dell "validating the form factor" of the Macbook Air remember that Dell have been in the ultraportable business a lot longer than Apple and that their X1 was the thinnest laptop when it was released.
As for functionality, I presume you mean the lack of functionality because nobody would really want to copy a laptop that doesn't even have a ethernet port.
If you only own a Macbook Air then I'd suggest that you're not much of a "computer geek" and you're not doing much other than web surfing. I don't have a problem with ultraportables and netbooks but they have their limitations and the Air is no exception.
You mean in the same way a full-sized laptop has limitations with regards to it's portability?
You have no idea how I use my MacBook Air and it is a display of your own narrowmindedness to suggest that I cannot be a geek and still own one. I am a web designer, writer and amateur programmer. Is that geeky enough for you?
Why can't people accept that other people have different needs in a computer to them? Why just because YOU personally don't want something mustn't anyone else? Do you suggest we ban the manufacture of 18-wheeler trucks merely because you don't work freight?
Urgh.
@jakem: I am a programmer and considering the MacBook Air as my programming machine. I like to do most of my work on the go, so portable is good, compilers don't really need a stronger processor than the (second gen) MBA has, and the 13" screen might just be big enough to be usable. Good keyboard is importan, the MBA has it. I'd have all the adapters for ethernet (some hotels - what can you say), VGA (all projectors), DVI (my 24" LCD). If I dump my music/video collections on an external drive I might be OK with the SSD. Do I really need to carry 4 seasons of Dr. Who with me at all times? No.
Given my geek requirements, the MacBook Air fits the bill, and comes in an amazing form factor as well. Anything with a 12" or smaller screen doesn't qualify, anything with a ULV processor doesn't qualify, so in a way the trade-offs Apple made make more sense to me than what others did. There's no magic, it's just choices. What do you cut, what do you keep.
I like the name...it's...catchy.
Sounds too much like Atomo. Iron Giant, anyone?
so $300 cheaper than air,.,.so about $1600,.it will tank
It is amazing how much you can learn from a simple google search!
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Jk6&q=site:dell.com+adamo&start=10&sa=N
So far, I know it has a 13" screen and a DisplayPort connector, with adapters for VGA, HDMI, and DVI.
Internal BluRay Combo Drive Evidence
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:IJVM9Wfs-bkJ:accessories.dell.com/sna/category.aspx%3Fc%3Dca%26l%3Den%26s%3Dcorp%26category_id%3D5684%26~ck%3Danav%26p%3D3+site:dell.com+adamo&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=25&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Display Port to DVI, VGA, and HDMI adapters
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:TtayNPKmfssJ:accessories.dell.com/sna/category.aspx%3Fc%3Dca%26l%3Den%26s%3Dcorp%26category_id%3D6484%26~ck%3Danav+site:dell.com+adamo&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=13&gl=us&client=firefox-a
45 Watt AC Adapter
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:9rpIrDjQJmcJ:accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx%3Fc%3Dca%26l%3Den%26s%3Dprov%26sku%3D330-2984%26~lt%3Dprint+site:dell.com+adamo&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us&client=firefox-a
DC Auto and Air 45 Watt Power Adapter
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:10JyeXHNCooJ:accessories.dell.com/sna/category.aspx%3Fc%3Dca%26category_id%3D5493%26l%3Den%26s%3Dpub%26dt%3DGrid%26~ck%3Danav+site:dell.com+adamo&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=32&gl=us&client=firefox-a
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:KLnTVGwUTYwJ:accessories.dell.com/sna/category.aspx%3Fc%3Dca%26l%3Den%26s%3Dprov%26category_id%3D6358%26~ck%3Danav%26p%3D2+site:dell.com+adamo&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=31&gl=us&client=firefox-a
"External" 250GB and 500GB 2.5" hard drives
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:T8NGUcmoGhIJ:accessories.dell.com/sna/category.aspx%3Fc%3Dca%26l%3Den%26s%3Dpub%26category_id%3D5704%26dt%3DGrid+site:dell.com+adamo&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=44&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Boo 2 consecutive posts
Horray hyperlinks!
Thank you, Sherlock Holmes, that will be all.
I dont know why ppl thiink that having a cd drive is a plus... i got a m1210 cuz it was way small back in the day. I use the cd drive once every few months to run a format. thats it... I dont like that i have to carry around this damn cd drive everywhere i go.
Well, I see your point, you will rarely use the cd drive. I currently have a Dell Inspiron e1405 and I use my cd drive all the time either for making digital back up copies of new music i buy, or burning dvds or making backups of my software. I cannot see any point in getting a laptop for myself that does not have a cd drive, apple, dell, or otherwise.
Wow, an actual M1210 user. Wish Dell would bring back the XPS 12.1" line.
Is Acer going to manufacture this one too? Ha.. Dell laptops are complete crap.. and its solely because Dell outsources laptop production to the infamous Staples brand Acer.
Apple holds down the fort because, while the Air feels like its going to break, it doesnt. Apple has pretty high standards as far as the build of their computers. I cant say the same for Dell.
As opposed to Apple....where Macbooks are birthed in Steve Jobs private chambers in Guandong Province?
Very high quality build standards*, indeed.
* Quality build standards does not include video card selection, memory issues, overheating issues, performance issues, video display issues, track pad issues, discoloration issues, issues using ports such as USB, and all other undisclosed issues. Apple reserves the right to reduce the quality of any component at any time and at its discresion. Use of an Apple computer requires the user to not blame Apple for any problem with their computer. All Rights Reserved. All hail the Great Leader.
Let's put a couple of news stories together, shall we?
1. MSI wins Dell notebook orders - April 2008
2. MSI chief refers to a new 13.3" affordable Ultra-portable at CES 2009, says people will be "shocked".
3. Dell laptop rumors surface as to a 13.3" affordable ultra-portable.
Not necessarily related, of course.
@nohone
That list so exaggerated its ridiculous. Those problems seldom happen to any Apple built product. Quality is Apples main priority, and you all know it.
Im also not saying other companies dont manufacture quality products, but the Air is what is being referenced in this article.. so before you all get your Fanboy Flame suits on, f*in relax.
Dell laptops are known for their poor quality.. I would know, I used to have one. If the keyboard wasnt falling off, the case was cracking, the battery was overheating, the internal fans were breaking, or it was just making stupid loud noises all together. If you dont believe me, check any "Computer Help Desk" at your local University... you'll see plenty of unhappy Dell customers.
My MBP, and my friends' HP notebooks, look brand new like they did the day they were purchased.. over a year later. Dell is garbage, and in both of your replies, neither of you tried to deny that fact. Point made.
@sdemo (or is it sdemo45)
Over the past 13 years I have had 3 Dell laptops, and gave one as a gift. I also have had 4 Dell desktops - 3 of which are still in use (the first was running a Pentium/166 and not of real use quality any more). Of these 8 computers, problems I have had with Dell computers:
1) The nub on the first laptop broke. This was caused by, while working, I would constantly pull at it with my fingernail, a kind of a thinking twitch.
2) The one I gave as a gift had the display go out. This was because the person I gave it to dropped it down stairs while it was open. Dell fixed it free of charge (still in warranty).
3) My latest one had the battery die, after 3 1/2 years of use because of battery memory common to all laptops - including the Air.
4) The network driver for the last desktop could not be found on Windows update, so I needed to manually download from Intel's web site.
In the case of 1 and 2 truely user error. 3 is common among all laptops, and number 4, not really an issue. Yes, this is one person's anecdotal evidence, just like your anecdotal evidence of how Macs and specifically how wonderfully the Air is built and how bad your Dell was. You have had one bad experience with a Dell, and I understand how that can taint your view of a company - just how my view of Apple has been tainted by 2 defective iPhones, and a Mac Mini that has been, let's say, less than well built.
Is that denying it enough for you?
Advertising is Apple's top priority, and you don't know it.
10 years ago, when Apple built their computers in California, they were really built like tanks. I have a 2001 Powerbook that works like a charm. But these days, it's hit or miss - a 3 year warranty is something I'd get for every new Mac.
Macs have other virtues absent from any PCs, such as a design that was completely thought through, no superflous lamps, small form factor, great display, etc. But build quality? No. As much as I love my MacBook Pro, this isn't great build quality, far from it.
I run a special program to keep this machine from getting too hot, I have had the display replaced, and the hard drive. Service is still excellent so with 3 year warranty it's Ok.
i hope its built better than the studio laptops,,, they just feel cheap and crappy
But the real question, can it cut cake?
the cake is a lie.
the cake is a lie.
the cake is a lie.
the cake is a lie.
Well, it will probably cost less than $1800 to find out.
I want one!!!
Rival the Macbook Air?
Outside the RDF and the usually preening iBoi bi-coastal demo....the MBA==FAIL. Even the most rabid of fanboi's cannot dimiss how overpriced and underspec'd that product is.
In the "thin 'n' light" laptop category, I don't think you'll find anyone who thinks the MacBook Air is either overpriced or underspecified relative to the competition. If you are comparing it to other types of laptop then you simply don't understand what it is for and aren't in the target market. The problem that the Air has is not with its price or specification, but rather that the target market is very small relative to the rest of the laptop market.
I understand why companies use made-up words for product names- they're easy to trademark- but sometimes they just sound dumb.
small comment...it's not made up. As far as I know, Adamo is an italian name. Here in Mexico we had an architect and sculptor named Adamo Boari, a good one by the way ;) the Palace of Fine Arts was his design.
Just FYI - using an Italian name isn't 'out of the blue' for Dell. Vostro is an Italian name as well.
2 USB 3.0s
VGA and HDMI out
256GB SSD
DDR3 RAM, at least 2 GB
XP Pre-installed Standard (Home or Pro, SP3), Option for Ubuntu (or Fedora???)
Have Chrome or Firefox as the out-of-the-box Internet app
Ummm. This is Dell we're talking about, buddy. =)
yeah, i must have thought it said Lenovo or something
try 2 USB 2.0
VGA
32Gb SSD or 250Gb HDD @5400
1-2 DDR2 800
vista home (they wont be running XP if their aiming at a mac air slayer!)
Also, why would they run chrome or ff out of the box on windows? I have literally never heard of that being done, MS would go crazy and land them a whole load of extra payments!
again, this is a dream, not anything close to what-would-be a reality
but they took Chrome out of Beta so that computer makers could pre install it on their pc's
@Oli D
If Microsoft were to punish Dell for installing Firefox or Chrome on their computers then I think we'll be seeing those anti-trust lawsuits making a rapid return.
What I'm curious to find out is just what happened to the Studio XPS line that was tipped to emerge at the end of November this year?
This is quite exciting though.
If there's one thing that BORES me it's Apple fanboys talking nonsense, and Windows fanboys talking equal nonsense back. Six to one and half a dozen to the other. Personal preference. Get over it.
That said, the Air is overpriced, underpowered and underspecced for the cost. It's just too expensive, however thin, beautiful or well engineered it is. Break out the cost/benefit analysis for a sec.
Linux based Adamo OS as well?.
Dell like Ubuntu, I can't see them tailoring an OS just for this.
I don't know what's up with them lately. They pulled both the machines my mom and I bought from their Ubuntu page--
wait, wait--- Okay, they put the Inspiron 1525n back. Time to see if they upgraded any of the specs..
Blast, they just removed the 1440x900 LCD option.
Ye, The LCD panel in my Vostro is screwed but an internet friend (who works for dell support australia) says it should be warranty replacable. They better let me upgrade to the 1440x900 display!
I love my Air, just got it to replace a XPS M1330 laptop, with the defective Nvidia Card, just received my 3 replacement laptop. The Dell overheated so much it warped the casing of the laptop. If Dell comes out with a laptop better than the Air, if it has built in mobile broadband then I might get one. If not I'll keep using my Air.
Well, well, well. Dell certainly have been busy. :) I will be very interested to see what this finally evolves to. If its got a decent CPU and HDD then my vostro 1400 may see an early retirement. Obviously assuming linux is some option... Im going to install Ubuntu on it so is a bit of a waste paying for a copy of windows which i will never use.
hum i am hoping no Atom 1.6 g but it will be..sadly
@sdemo
Over the past 13 years I have had 3 Dell laptops, and gave one as a gift. I also have had 4 Dell desktops - 3 of which are still in use (the first was running a Pentium/166 and not of real use quality any more). Of these 8 computers, problems I have had with Dell computers:
1) The nub on the first laptop broke. This was caused by, while working, I would constantly pull at it with my fingernail, a kind of a thinking twitch.
2) The one I gave as a gift had the display go out. This was because the person I gave it to dropped it down stairs while it was open. Dell fixed it free of charge (still in warranty).
3) My latest one had the battery die, after 3 1/2 years of use because of battery memory common to all laptops - including the Air.
4) The network driver for the last desktop could not be found on Windows update, so I needed to manually download from Intel's web site.
In the case of 1 and 2 truely user error. 3 is common among all laptops, and number 4, not really an issue. Yes, this is one person's anecdotal evidence, just like your anecdotal evidence of how Macs and specifically how wonderfully the Air is built and how bad your Dell was. You have had one bad experience with a Dell, and I understand how that can taint your view of a company - just how my view of Apple has been tainted by 2 defective iPhones, and a Mac Mini that has been, let's say, less than well built.
Is that denying it enough for you?
did you press reply and engadget commenting screwed you, or were you completely oblivious to the fact that you can reply to a comment
I'd *love* to see Dell build an ultraportable. Let's just hope it doesn't sacrifice performance as badly as the Air, and many of these other laptops...
I'd like to see this under $1299.
Thin to me means under an inch thick. LED backlit display. 1.8" hard drive.
Obviously the display needs to be something in the 11.1 to 13.3 inch range. Sounds like its going to be a 13, which is a nice size. Presumably a 13xx/12xx x 768/800 or so screen.
I could personally care less about the CD drive, though it looks like its going to actually have a drive bay, which suggests it will be thicker than I'd like, but lets see. Slot load would be better.
Battery life is going to be important, so either integrated graphics only or the new-style switchable graphics that Apple is doing in the Macbooks. No requiring logout for this please!
Whole thing needs to stay under 4 pounds. The lighter the better.
Colors please. Or something other than black. Carbon fibre could be nice of course. But stickers, colors, anything to customize the look.
The one thing that the Air didn't sacrifice was performance. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but the Air was certainly much faster than its competitors due to the faster processor. What things are like now with the Penryn processor and nVidia graphics is up for debate. The problem that the Air has is that it sacrificed in other areas, such as the lack of expansion ports, no replaceable battery, etc. If you are expecting a thin 'n' light laptop to be running Cryssis then I think you're going to be waiting quite a long time.
a little sad Joshua?
A *fashion blog* beat you to the news? Ouch!
Thin is great but not at the expense of productivity IMHO. If this turns out to be true, I hope it has more built in functionality than the AIR.