Dell Adamo Laptop Review
We at Computers AU were delighted when Dell’s PR department sent us an Adamo to review. Our first impressions of the Dell Adamo (Pearl / DESIRE model) were that we hoped the actual product was as impressive as the box and slick presentational case. Luckily, upon removing it from its ‘floating effect’ packaging we were not disappointed, it was immediately apparent that this is one sexy beast with full marks in terms of the design aesthetic – check out the pictures below! Anybody who’s familiar with Latin (erm, no thought not..) will know that the word Adamo means ‘to fall in love’ and whilst nobody in the office was seen (at least in public) to consummate their affection we were definitely all smitten. Holding its cold aluminum chassis it was evident that this was definitely not your run of the mill Dell laptop.
The first thing I’d say is that the build quality of this machine is equal to pretty much anything we have laid our hands on. The precise attention to detail and engineering is quite obviously the crux of the Adamo range and there is no doubt that it is to be put in to the ring with other notable high end ultra light players – particularly the MacBook Air which I’d say that Adamo just shades in terms of both its style and visual impact. The rest comes down to application and practicality for the discerning buyer so we’ve given it a thorough road test to help you decide on the pros and cons before you buy.
The price tag on the Adamo from Dell Australia starts from $3,799 and puts it in that category that focuses on users seeking refinement and highly stylised design quality as well as portability and Dell have most definitely produced a top quality product that enters them as a new player in this distinct market.
Dell Adamo Laptop Pros :
- Portability – For on-the-go users this is an away from the office solution that offers pretty much everything you need – robustness, practical size and weight, lengthy battery uptime, connectivity, speed and reliability, it fits the bill 100%. It has the hardware to handle higher demanding tasks with ease. 9/10
- Engineering - Looks awesome, feels solid and is easy to gain access to the innards of this machine. From a technician’s point of view, screwless entry to the entire underside of the chassis is a credit to the designers at Dell. The tidy layout also means it’s a breeze to install mini PCI add-on’s or, possibly when technology and price permits, a larger hard drive. 10/10
- Robustness – The build feels so solid that you could feel as comfortable using this on a dusty red mine site as you would reclining on an automated massage chair in your business lounge or simply on your desk. 8/10
- Ease of Use - The layout of the external ports is very well placed to ensure minimal interference during practical use. eSATA and USB ports aplenty should satisfy most users. The 13.4″ 16:9 HD edge to edge glass screen is delightful to look at from every angle. The brushed aluminum backing looks nice and gives the screen a robust feeling. 8/10
- Value For Money - The backlit keyboard is something that these days should be a standard on all laptops and the key touch feels robust and like that of the dials and buttons inside a luxury car – refined and high quality. In fact we’d say that the screen is delightful to look at (not a superlative that we’d normally use lightly!) and again it looks and feels robust yet delicate like the whole machine. Definitely worth every cent – 9/10
- Practicality – The most common real world uses of the Adamo are for browsing, email and standard applications – these were without disappointment and speed was no issue. 8/10
Like all computers, there are aspects of the Dell Adamo which can be improved and we’d like to see Dell address them on future releases within the Adamo range.
Dell Adamo Laptop Cons:
- Upgrades - Upgrading the Adamo is not possible with the current hardware configuration as RAM is soldered to the motherboard. Choose your Adamo configuration carefully based on your usage demands and this should ensure you don’t have any issues further down the line. 4/10
- Features – There is no optical drive and whilst this is easily overcome with the cheapness of flash based memory this may not suit all users. Additionally, graphics based users will find the hardware limiting in its capabilities e.g. users wanting to play games or use any CAD programs will have to shop elsewhere. The 128MB graphics of the Adamo is a bit of an anticlimax. Again choose carefully if this is a priority. 5/10
Overall we peg the Dell Adamo as a target market product for prospective buyers looking for a luxury laptop that is both practical and solid but ultimately a very impressive, uber-sexy and stylish piece of kit (now all we need to do is convince them to let us keep it!).
It’s certainly a great entry into this market segment and Dell can only impress more with further releases that improve on this as a foundation.
>> Click Here to Buy the Dell Adamo Online
Up to 30% Off Dell Australia Small Business Monitors, Printers and Projectors – Offer Ends 30th April 2009
Dell Australia Small Business are having a big 3 day sale, with a massive 30% off a wide selction of monitors, printers and projectors when ordering online between Tuesday 28th April and Thursday 30th April 2009.
Monitors will range from a 17inch screen all the way to a 30inch, with a plethora of colour laser printers and projectors to suit even the most modest of budgets. Each item has a limit of 2 units per customers and cannot be combined with any other promotion or coupon.
So if you fancy upgrading your system, these next three days will definately allow for a little more ‘bang for your buck’!
>> This offer has now expired. Click here to view the latest offers
$200 Off Dell Australia Vostro 1510 Laptop – Offer Ends 30th April 2009
Dell Australia small business is currently offering $200 off their Vostro 1510 Laptop when ordering online using the coupon code S520206AU before Thursday 30th April 2009.
Up to $200 Off Dell Vostro 1510 Laptop
This great portable computer features -
- Intel Core2 Duo T5670 Processor
- Windows Vista Business XP Professional
- 2GB RAM
- 160GB Hard drive
- 15.4inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
- Intel Accelerator X3100 Graphics Card
- 8X DVD Burner
- 1 Year Limited Next Business Day On-site Service
This fabulous business computer is only available with $200 off until the end of Thursday 30th April, so you’ll have get your skates on to pick up this top quality laptop at a price that’s right.
>> This offer has now expired. Click here to view the latest offers
Up to $400 Off Dell Australia Vostro 420 Desktops – Offer Ends 30th April 2009
DellAustralia small business is currently offering up to $400 off a wide selection of their Dell Vostro 420 Desktops when ordering online using the coupon code S220213AU before Thursday 30th April 2009.
Up to $400 Off Dell XPS Desktop
These superb business computers feature up to -
- Intel Core2 Quad Processor Q8200
- Windows Vista Business XP Professional
- 2GB RAM
- 500GB Hard drive
- 24inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
- NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT Graphics Card
- 16X DVD Burner
- 15 months McAfee Security Centre
- 1 Year Limited Next Business Day On-site Service
- 1 Year Pro Support for End User
These fantastic desktops are only available with these discounts till the end of Thursday 30rd April, so you’ll have to move quickly to pick up a top quality home computer at a credit crunching price.
>> This offer has now expired. Click here to view the latest offers
Lenovo X301 Thinkpad Review
The Lenovo computers Australia X301 Thinkpad is a sleeker version of last years fantastic X300, but with a bigger engine underneath the hood. Another nice added touch is the DisplayPort, allowing extra screens to be added whilst still benefiting from a digital connection.
This laptop is great for people on the move with a much further enhanced wireless connectivity to it’s predecessor, and also features up to -
- Intel Core Duo 1.4GHZ 9400 Processor
- Genuine Windows Vista Business
- 13.3inch WXGA+ TFT Display type
- Intel GMA X4500 Graphics Card
- 2 GB PC3-8500 RAM
- 128GB Solid State Drive
- Ultrathin DVD Burner
- Integrated WiFi
- Series 3 Cell LiPolymer Bay Battery
- 1 Year Depot/Express Warranty
The Lenovo X301 Thinkpad is a premium ultraportable notebook, well equipped for extreme performance whilst on the move. Plus with the retail price now only $2,724 from $4,224, now could be the right time to be one step ahead of the game in purchasing this fabulous computer.
> > Click here to shop online with Lenovo
Dell Studio Hybrid Review
Not so long ago, in a galaxy far far away, a simple computer could literally fill up a whole room with wires, screens, and things that constantly went beep until you wanted to sacrifice your soul to the devil. As time moved on, computers became smaller, but not always for the better.
Having wasted my formative years spending hours typing code into my 1K ZX81 only for the programme not to work, I for one am not fooled by a computers size.
To say the Dell Australia Studio Hybrid is a bit sexy is like saying Russell Crowe is a reasonable actor. This machine oozes class from the exterior, and if it had a hand I would ask for it in marriage, it really is that hot! The shell has a selection of colours to please even the most discerning palletes, including an ultra sleek bamboo casing which would blend in perfectly if you were stranded on a desert island with only coconuts for company.
The Dell Studio Hybrid may look a bit puny, bit trust me, under the hood the components are a match for any machine thrice the size. Let’s have a look -
- 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T8100 Processor
- 2GB of memory
- Intel Media Accelerator 3100 Graphics Card
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- TV tuner
- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- 8x dual-layer DVD burner
- 8-in-1 memory card reader
You like? Downfalls are it doesn’t come fitted with a screen as standard (though you can add one when ordering), so yes, OK it’s not perfect, but hey show me a computer that is and I will show you a ZX Spectum 48K with an ‘R tape loading error’.
The Studio Hybrid is sex on legs, which is just as well as you can stand it up vertically and admire it’s form from afar. Do I want to go on a date with this computer? I’ll leave you to be the judge of that…
> > Click here to order a Studio Hybrid with Dell
$150 Off Studio XPS Desktop – Offer Ends 23rd April 2009
Dell Australia is currently offering an amazing $150 off their Dell XPS Desktop when ordering online using the coupon code S210303AU before Thursday 23rd April 2009.
$150 Off Dell XPS Desktop
This classic home computer features -
- Intel Core i7-940 Processor
- 3GB RAM
- 500GB SATA Hard Drive
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit
- 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
- 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4850 Graphics Card
- Integrated 7.1 Audio Sound Card
- 2-year XPS Premier Service with 1-year Complete Cover
This fantastic desktop is only available at this price till the end of Thursday 23rd April, so you’ll have to move quickly to pick up a top quality home computer at a price that’s right for you.
>> This offer has now expired. Click here to view the latest offers
$150 Off Studio 17 Laptop – Offer Ends 23rd April 2009
Dell Australia is currently offering a massive $150 off their Dell Studio 17 Laptop when ordering online using the coupon code R511213AU before Thursday 23rd April 2009.
$150 Off Dell Studio 17 Laptop
This fantastic portable computer features -
- Intel Core2 Duo T6400 Processor
- 3GB RAM
- 320GB SATA Hard Drive
- Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate 32bit SP1 Edition
- 17inch True Life TFT Display
- Built in Webcam
- 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
- 1 Year Ltd Hardware Warranty
This fantastic laptop is only available at this price till the end of Thursday 23rd April, so you’ll have to move quickly to pick up a top quality portable computer at a price that’s right.
>> This offer has now expired. Click here to view the latest offers
10% Off With Lenovo Australia – Offer Ends 28th April 2009
Lenovo Australia is currently offering 10% off a whole host of desktops, laptops and accessories when ordering online using the coupon code AUP10STOREWIDE. Not only are Lenovo allowing 10% off, they are also offering free delivery and handling for all online purchases!
This fantastic offer is only available until the end of Tuesday 28th April 2009, so if you fancy a great computer with free delivery at a credit crunching price, you better get your skates on.
> > Click here to receive 10% off with Lenovo Australia
Up to $200 Off a Huge Selection of 24inch Monitors with Dell Australia
Dell Australia is currently offering up to $200 off a a wide range of the their 24inch widescreen monitors when ordering online today.
Up to $200 off Widescreen Monitors
These great 24inch monitors feature up to -
- 1920 x 1200 Maximum Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 400 cd/m2 Brightness
- 178° / 178°Maximum Viewing Angle
- High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
- 2 Digital Visual Interface
- Display Port
- Video Graphics Array (VGA)
- Separate Video (S-Video)
- HDMI 2.1 Audio Out
- 1 USB 2.0 upstream port
- 4 USB 2.0 downstream ports
- 9-in-2 media card reader
- 3 Years Premium Panel Warranty
This great money saving offer is only available till the end of today, so get your skates on and take advantage of Dell’s fantastic ‘Deal of the Day’.
> > Click here to shop online with Dell Australia
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