DellAdamoXps
Latest
Dell marketing makeover simplifies brands, kills off Adamo altogether
We knew something was going on with Dell's branding with the resurrection of the XPS laptop line, and this morning we caught up with a few of the company's executives to learn all about the entire restructuring. As you can see above, there will now be three core brands -- Inspiron, XPS and Alienware -- all focusing on different "performance seekers." However, you'll notice that Adamo is nowhere to be found on that flow chart. Turns out, the sneaky disappearance of the Adamo XPS from Dell's site hasn't exactly been a coincidence -- it's completely killing off the premium brand and has actually tamped down volumes of the super thin machines. Now, that doesn't mean systems like the original Adamo and the Adamo XPS won't exist ever again as Dell VP Ed Boyd tells us similar products will be coming to the XPS line early next year. Simplifying the brands sure does make a lot of sense to us -- all the Adamo XPS, Studio XPS, Studio laptops have seriously confused us over the last couple of years -- but it's all part of a larger marketing campaign that will attempt to move Dell away from being a low cost brand and instead portray the company as providing choice -- a campaign Dell CMO Paul-Henri Ferrand told Reuters will ultimately cost hundreds of millions of dollars. We look forward to seeing what you've got Dell, but all we know is that we're finally going to say the following words with affirmation: "rest in peace, Adamo."
Screen Grabs: Dell Streak recruited into NCIS:LA for some undercover duty, fights evil Adamo XPS
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. Dell's product placement deal with CBS apparently doesn't stipulate whether its gadgets will be used for good or evil, as illustrated by their cameo appearances on the network's NCIS:LA crime drama. In last night's episode, lead do-gooder Special Agent Callen is seen preparing a Streak tabletphone for some audio recording action before a meeting with the baddies -- who in turn whip out an Adamo XPS (yes, it's still alive!) to seal a deal for some ultra-advanced weaponry. Yep, it's a non-stop cliché extravaganza! [Thanks, James and Tarek]
Dell Adamo XPS alive and kicking, back for order on Dell.com
Well hello again, Dell Adamo XPS. Though the incredibly thin and uniquely designed laptop disappeared from Dell.com last week and we received official comment that it was a "limited edition product with a finite number of systems available," the Adamo XPS has reappeared in its $2,000 glory on the company's site. According to Dell's blog, it was merely just a move to restock the inventory and direct customers to retailers that had fresh stock -- well why didn't you just say that Dell! And do not fear about the Adamo brand, Dell reports that all is well as it starts to apply the design to other lines, just as we saw yesterday with the Vostro V13. We're still a bit confused by the reappearance, but it sure is good to see you again, Adamo XPS. We wish you a long successful life with many many price drops.
Dell Adamo XPS order page falls off Dell.com, discontinued for life?
Where art thou Dell Adamo XPS? That's the question this poor error page seems to be asking when customers attempt to order the insanely thin laptop on Dell's site. Though it only went on sale back in late November, Dell.com no longer has the crazily designed, $1,799 laptop up for purchase. We're currently trying to get official word from Dell, but all is not lost for those that feel they've made the biggest mistake in the world by not ordering the ULV laptop that only lasts less than two hours on a charge -- it's still available from Best Buy and Amazon.com. Stay tuned for more news as we do a bit of digging on this one. Update: Dell confirmed that the Adamo XPS will not be making a reapperence on its site. "While the Adamo XPS was certainly and engineering marvel, it also was a limited edition product with a finite number of systems available," said a Dell spokesperson. Adamo XPS 2 anyone?
Dell's Adamo XPS now shipping to some (and we've got pics to prove it)
Dell's 9.99mm thin Adamo XPS wasn't supposed to ship to even the earliest orderers until December 22nd, but it seems as if a minor Christmas miracle has happened over at Adam's office. In fact, those ordering one of these slimsters today won't see it until mid-January, but if you got in early, there just might be hope for you yet. Oh, and if you're pretty certain that your order will simply be delayed indefinitely as Old Man Winter holds you down, feel free to cheer yourself up by perusing the gallery below. Or slip into an infinite loop of depression -- your call. [Thanks, Adam] %Gallery-80012%
Dell's Adamo XPS now on sale starting at $1,799
Dell's slimmest laptop ever still isn't shipping out to eager consumers, but at least the Win7-packin' Adamo XPS is now configurable over on the outfit's website. The base $1,799 configuration includes a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo SU9400 CPU, a 128GB solid state drive, 13.4-inch WLED panel, 2 megapixel camera, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, GS45 integrated graphics, WiFi and a USB Ethernet adapter. Unfortunately, hardly any of the components are upgradable, but there are a few select upgrades available for those with the cheddar. The scary part? That December 22nd estimated ship date. Better spring for overnight and cross those toes! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Unused Adamo XPS prototypes reveal touchscreen trackpads, key-less keyboard
Dell certainly managed to cram plenty of inventive, even far-fetched touches into its Adamo XPS laptop, but it looks like it went even further out on a limb during the prototype stage, as PC World was able to discover during a brief hands-on time with a few cast off concepts. As you might expect, one of the ideas Dell toyed around with was a full-fledged touchscreen trackpad, which was apparently rejected because Dell couldn't justify the cost of the panel based how much people would actually use it. Another, possibly even more ambitious concept is one that would have completely replaced the traditional keyboard with a series of capacitive-touch buttons (pictured after the break), which would have allowed for a true zero-profile design, albeit at some potential expense to usability. Hit up the link below for a look at a few more prototypes.
Dell's $2,000 Adamo XPS launching October 22 with heat-sensing open latch
Dell has been teasing its ultrathin Adamo XPS for weeks now, but all that goofing off will come to a solemn end next Thursday. On the same day that we sit down with Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer (and a little OS by the name of Windows 7 hits store shelves), Dell will also fully reveal the planet's slimmest laptop. The 0.39-inch Adamo XPS will cost $2,000, and while the nitty-gritty details are still under wraps, a new Business Week article notes that it'll boast a "heat-sensing strip on the lip that, when swiped with a finger, glows white and automatically opens the aluminum lid." The glamorous machine is part of a larger effort within the Round Rock powerhouse to revitalize itself and get people talking once again, and while this particular slab will obviously not be a high volume product, it could very well get a few more eyes pointed in its direction. Call us crazy, but we're guessing next week is going to be a wee bit zany. [Via Pasta Tech]
New Adamo XPS image takes a stand
Remember that wild hinge we saw on the Adamo XPS at Dell's characteristically all-too-brief showing last week? The company's gone ahead with yet another side pic, this time showing how the hinge pops out. Of course, showing what is actually on both panels would be too much for the company, so we're left only to guess. A display? A keyboard? Some kind of holographic projector? A hot key for making lolcat pictures? Listen Dell, we get it, you like the slow trickle of teasers, but can we just see the whole body now and move on the part where we wait for scraps of info on the specs? %Gallery-75353%
Dell reveals new Adamo XPS, gives no details
We're currently live at a Dell event where that totally new-look Adamo XPS has just been briefly teased. In keeping with Dell's recent tradition, details are nonexistent at the moment, but we've snapped a couple pics -- if you look closely you can see a pretty wild hinge design. We'll update you ASAP, keep it locked! Update: And... that was it. Seriously, you would think Dell would've maybe learned something from the original Adamo launch and maybe dished out some info, but as usual they just waved it around for a second and then talked about less-interesting things. Still, here's what we know -- it's super thin, and it obviously unfolds in a completely new way. We're digging for more, we'll let you know.
