Dell Adamo hands-on and video unboxing

While we had a look at an early version of the Adamo at CES, we've finally gotten a chance to unwrap one from its ultra-sexy packaging and take it for a little spin. In hand, the laptop is thinner and lighter than most of this size, though it isn't quite as svelte as the Air. Its real competitor, however, appears to be the X301. We'll be doing a full review in the near future, but for now, enjoy the gallery below, and check out our video unboxing after the break.

Gallery: Dell Adamo video hands-on

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[kccboy2004 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:26PM]

Still too expensive to buy.

[kccboy2004 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:26PM]

I may steal one though.

[Paul A. Chapel @ Mar 20th 2009 5:32PM]

Why is Engadget doing all this coverage of Dell? Are you guys in the Dell's pocket now? How much is Dell paying you guys? This place is getting worse than Gizmodo. Dell, Dell, Dell, that's all I read on this site... oh wait.

[Dopefish @ Mar 20th 2009 5:36PM]

I have no idea why its so high! The E6700s are smaller, lighter, better battery life and a wee bit cheaper.


I cant even say it looks any better either...

[Proud Japanese @ Mar 20th 2009 5:48PM]

So only Apple is allowed to charge a premium for good design and build quality now? What happened to all the Apple fanboys saying Specs weren't everything.

[Look_Around_You @ Mar 20th 2009 6:03PM]

@Paul

Well, if you dont like Dell articles, gee why not just read past them.

I mean you must really care if you took the time out to comment.

Dell hater!!

Isnt that what you like to say?

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Mar 20th 2009 6:09PM]

Dopefish,

SSD standard?

[jakem @ Mar 20th 2009 6:21PM]

Bye bye Remy.

[james @ Mar 20th 2009 6:22PM]

ladies and Gentlemen... I give you the Dell tax

[Dopefish @ Mar 20th 2009 6:28PM]

@

Sorry I meant the E4200 and yes it comes with SSD as standard...

In fact, both the adamo and the E4200 can ONLY have SSDs... its an interesting way to go I think..

[peto.musuta @ Mar 20th 2009 7:08PM]

That screen is totally f**ked up! horrib;e !!! like in old crt TV's vhat they was puted behing glass and behind glass vas actual glass screen
not good !

[Ian @ Mar 20th 2009 7:18PM]

Actually, Dopefish asked a pretty good question. Why wouldn't you just buy the E4200?

If you look at the MacBook and MacBook Air, you pay more money for the Air, but it's far lighter, thinner, sexier, and overall, more portable.

The Dell Adamo is good because it's around the same price as a E4200, but what you get with the Adamo is a sexier, much heavier, physically larger (overall), and slower laptop (depending on configuration).

The E4200 kills the Air. The Adamo? Well......not sure.

[linderman @ Mar 20th 2009 8:42PM]

I agree with the original poster kccboy...

They used to say, "Dude, you're getting a Dell!

After starting this computer at a cool $2K, they are going to say, "Dude, you're getting an enema!" Because this puppy with its lack of resources under the hood will clean out your bank!

[Mike Hayes @ Mar 22nd 2009 1:04AM]

so does it fit in a manila envelope?

[kadajawi @ Mar 22nd 2009 6:55AM]

@peto.musuta: Yeah, like the MacBook/MacBook Pro 15 and some 17. It's just a horrible idea to use glas over the screen. There are no advantages (yeah, added protection, sure... my screens never needed that) and only disadvantages. Yes, it looks better, but it makes the device unusable!

[Dean Pearce @ Mar 30th 2009 12:56PM]

Haha it's thin and small enough to slide into a coat pocket.

[fredwifi @ Mar 20th 2009 5:26PM]

Wow, the vid is beyond pixelation. Just on my end?

[a ham sandwich @ Mar 20th 2009 5:32PM]

no. it looks worse than a youtube video.

[Jason Heminger @ Mar 20th 2009 5:48PM]

Yeah...looks like they didn't use viddler this time. This vid was terrible quality...go back to Viddler!!!

[Nelagster @ Mar 20th 2009 5:55PM]

yeah its terrible. although when he stopped moving, it got slightly better

[Boards of Canada @ Mar 20th 2009 6:05PM]

No kidding, I wish they would use Silverlight... the yesterday video of Windows mobile 6.5 was really sharp and smooth compare to flash. Also the scrolling was way more real-time. It would encourage people to install it too.

[JohnTitor @ Mar 20th 2009 7:53PM]

1080P Stage6 ftw

[Elora HRanma @ Mar 22nd 2009 7:48AM]

Either they have uploaded a re-compressed version of the video or you have a serious problem with your Flash installation.

[Justin Williams @ Mar 20th 2009 5:27PM]

Its a pretty sexy looking computer. If I were a windows user id take a look at it.

[Sam @ Mar 20th 2009 5:28PM]

Try doors they are much easier.

[ChuChu @ Mar 20th 2009 5:30PM]

Definitely liking the sleek/clean look although it's probably going to attract some hate just due to the fact it's a Dell.

[Alex @ Mar 20th 2009 6:04PM]

Quite the contrary

[Greg @ Mar 20th 2009 5:28PM]

Big butts are good on girls... not computers.

[iGoon#2 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:46PM]

i wanna hump this laptop to fairy land...

[barry99705 @ Mar 20th 2009 6:30PM]

They're not good on either....

[JohnTitor @ Mar 20th 2009 7:49PM]

dude would you prefer no ports at all?
the thing barely can fit the 2.5mm headphone jack at just the height of the sides

[Game_playa @ Mar 20th 2009 7:54PM]

@Greg
You think so? I personally hate girls with huge butts

[freighttrain2126 @ Mar 20th 2009 11:37PM]

Big boobs MUCH better than big butt. What's wrong with you?

[killroy420 @ Mar 21st 2009 12:50AM]

@Game_Playa If you hate huge butts, then I hope you never get married and have kids...100% guaranteed to see 200% growth in your woman's butt, no matter who she is.

[Laughing Man @ Mar 21st 2009 9:54AM]

Ok, ok, there is a difference between a big, round, lushous booty and a huge, lumpy, really just extra flab booty. You guys are going to an extreme here. I believe Greg was simply trying to say that he likes his girls (like I do) with a hour glass shape. I mean triangles are nice, but hip bones are hard and hurt without padding.

Even a dog doesn't want a bone if it doesn't have a little meat on it.

[lyris2003 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:28PM]

Looks great - way nicer looking than my Macbook Pro. But if I'd ever buy one, I'd wait til they release one with a screen instead of a MIRROR!

[LucasDurant @ Mar 20th 2009 6:34PM]

You own a macbook pro.

[matt @ Mar 20th 2009 6:42PM]

The old ones weren't a gloss fetishist's wet dream.

[ashan @ Mar 20th 2009 8:20PM]

This isn't in the same class as a MBP. It sits between a Macbook and a Macbook Air. More expensive than either.

[Chris @ Mar 20th 2009 5:29PM]

Wow, something that actually makes the Macbook Air look like a bargain.

[Haikibutsu @ Mar 20th 2009 5:32PM]

And makes it look like a crap too.

[liquidmark @ Mar 21st 2009 6:04AM]

@Haikibutsu

Dude, look at the specs and PRICE of this dell.

In what way does it make an AIR look like crap?

[Steve @ Mar 27th 2009 2:15AM]

@liquidmark

Reading comprehension. Use it.

[Zach @ Mar 20th 2009 5:30PM]

Dang. What camera did you guys using to shoot that? Where's that 5D Mk II 1080p goodness?

-Oh, and that's the hottest $2,000 paperweight I've ever seen.

[Alex @ Mar 20th 2009 5:31PM]

Look at the size of that bezel!

[Anthony @ Mar 20th 2009 5:40PM]

Oh, yeah! Wait, bezel?

---

Question: Is it brushed like the pictures appear? I like the look. It almost looks like a rock or wood finish.

[cg0def @ Mar 21st 2009 6:52AM]

dude that thing is HUGE. There is like and 1" border on the bottom of the screen. Look at where the start button is. As if the paper weight thing on the back wasn't a problems enough the stupidity of getting a 16:10 display bites Dell even harder on the butt.

Oh and Josh what the heck is a best in class power cord? It looks like a pretty standard plastic cord to me ...

Dude there is no way that a design like this deserves a $2000 price tag. Sure the first gen MBA had a lot of problems too but if nothing else the design was right. ( not that I'm gonna by an MBA either )

[bureX @ Mar 20th 2009 5:32PM]

I have to say that it looks very good, but the price tag for those specs is still horrific...

[Dopefish @ Mar 20th 2009 5:39PM]

I know its no justification, but there is nothing wrong with the 1.2ghz processor. Its ultra low voltage so stretches the battery life very nicely. Plus I can tell you from first hand experience that its plenty nippy enough for every day use including light photshop/illustrator work...

[101@9 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:33PM]

What is so good about the power cord? He said its great. I thought it looked pretty standard.