Dell Adamo XPS Review: New Dell Adamo XPS Laptop Wows at Just 9.99mm Thin

Dell Adamo XPS 9.99

In our new Dell Adamo XPS review, we review the Dell Adamo XPS laptop and find it bests Apple’s MacBook Air by a mile, but still makes a functional laptop computer.

I’ve been playing with the Dell 9.99 for about a week now, and this product defines amazing. If you thought the MacBook Air was thin, this is about half the thickness of the Air. Dell pulled this off by increasing the length of the notebook, but this also raises the screen in use to a much more acceptable height for most notebooks. Because this thing is so different than the run-of-the-mill notebook product, both inside and out, words and pictures don’t really do it justice. You really need to see it in person.

Dell Adamo XPS 9.99

I’ll start with the specs and then roll into impressions, but let’s be clear: The last notebook that was this revolutionary was likely the HP Sojourn, which was so far ahead of the market it drew crowds. Unlike the Sojourn, which cost $7K in today’s dollars a decade ago, and was pretty much unusable, you could live very easily with the 9.99.

Specifications: Compared Against the MacBook Air

I’ll give you the core specifications at a glance and then move to the cool tech.


Dell Adamo 9.99

MacBook Air

Display

13.4” 1366 x 768 Panoramic LED

13.3” 1280 x 800 Wide Angle LED

Processor

Intel Core 2 Duo ULV 1.4GHz 800 FSB

Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 (2.1 opt) GHz 1066

Graphics

Intel GS 45 Integrated w/ 256MB Shared

NVIDIA 9400M (Ion) 256MB Shared

Memory

4GB 800 MHz DDR3

2GB 1066MHz DDR3

Drive

128GB SSD

120GB Magnetic (128GB SSD optional)

Ports

DisplayPort, 2USB, 10/100, Audio

DisplayPort, 1 USB, Audio

Battery

20WHr – Hotswap (40WHr Optional) Li/Ion

40 WHr Integrated  Lithium Polymer

Wireless

802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1

802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1

Now, where it gets interesting is in the dimensions. Remember how thin the Air was?

Thickness

.41 inches

.76 inches

Width

13.38”

12.8”

Depth

10.78”

8.94”

Weight

3.2 lb Standard Battery

3.0 lb

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  • Andrew Beehler
    I think one for these new 9.99s would make presentations a snap, think about the wow factor of breaking one of these out for your next client presentation. I guess this goes to show that you no longer need an apple to have style. When will these be shipping, I'd like to get one for 2010.
  • Sykes
    Andrew, what you suggest though about presentations is that shell matters more than content. Is that really where you want to go? Yes, indeed if you bring out this laptop to a presentation it will first wow the audience but the audience are not dumb. They listen to the presentation and if the presentation itself has no substance to it, it doesn't matter if the laptop wows or not. And a showy piece can potentially backfire when the audience finds the presenter cocky for being showy.
  • I like the keyboard on a desktop, but I do wonder how well it will work when you are lounging on a couch. That's how I normally use my laptop at home.
  • Rob Enderle
    Should be able to order it shortly, they are holding intil the lines are up and stable but this is now an announced product. I'm trying to get a date and will post as soon as they release it to me. The reveiwers have been told they should get final shipping product to look at in a few weeks and before the end of the year.

    It isn't bad on your lap, hell of a lot cooler, really needs the larger battery though if you are going to pound on it for long. Good for arout one movie or a couple 60 minute shows off power. It really doesn't weigh much and you don't feel the heat at all.
  • My macbook pro is only good for abt an hour and a half. :(
  • Ian Bell
    Has to be weird typing with this in your lap. Does it have to unfold like it is in the picture?
  • Rob Enderle
    Yep that's the way it unfolds. The lap isn't the best place to use it, it's cooler but the angle and stability aren't ideal. It's acutally better than you think though, it just takes a little getting used to.

    Update on when it will be available. Dell is taking names for pre-orders here: http://www.adamobydell.com/xps/

    Look for it to actually show up around the end of the month. They are working out some manufacturing issues as this is really very different than other products they build. And you want them to work out those issues before the product is produced in high volume.
  • Ian Bell
    Will have to try it out. I use my MacBook Air a lot while sitting, so the way it folds out could be a big issue for me.
  • Me 2. As long as it's still comfortable and you can see the screen ok. My fear would be that it would be sliding off the knees or something along those lines.
  • Might be a problem for someone with short legs and long arms. Wasn't a problem for me, seem to have a good 4 inches or so to spare.
  • That's me. I drag my knuckles all the time. :)

    I am short though, with a big belly, so that is like having long arms.
  • Rob Enderle
    Shame you aren't closer, I'd lone you mine. I mostly work on tables myself but did try it on the couch the other night. Did about 2 hours and no noticable wrist stress but it did feel odd. (I have a tendency towards tendinitis but it didn't flare in use). I think I could get used to it, but, as I say, I don't work off my lap much. Will try it on a plane next week.
  • The Trutherizer
    OMG... The Air uses Lithium Polymer batteries! Dangerous... Don't overcharge those babies.
  • haha, what's the difference between those and Lithium Ion?
  • Qkiller
    That's not true! new lithium polymer ion battery packs are excellent, laptop batteries have built in intelligent charging so they cannot be overcharged unless they are disassembled to the bare cells
  • fabienguibert
    Omg its pretty obviosus you hate apple. you still are in the PC state of mind... trus the macbook air has its defect, not talking of how weak the screen latches are but still, it "feels" premium and whats with this "thin" form factor??? are you kidding me? its wider and longer!! so if i bring a laptop that 14' by 16' BUT only 5 mm thick you'll think its ultraportable?? you got to be joking. The macbook pro is the best laptop thats for sure but the macbook air is pretty good for mobile users...
  • pfffffffft
    LOL@ Enderle still reviewing products. Better look into the "tend to gate" comment, you hack. You have data to back that up? Of course you don't, Microshill. GTFO with your "reviews".
  • C Yates
    It is a cool machine. Dell's quality control, though, has not improved. I ordered one of these in early November received it the week for Christmas. I used it for three days, then in the midst of work I got the message "Operating System Not Found". After 90 minutes or so and about 8 Dell reps (though there is supposed to be an exclusive "Adamo" que), I got through to someone who wanted to trouble shoot the problem. I said that for the cost of this PC, I was not going to keep it and deal with future problems so Dell arranged a replacement. The replacement turned out to be a refurbished machine with a defective motherboard that wouldn't even power up. I logged on to Dell and this time chatted through to a rep who has arranged a replacement -- guaranteed to be new, not refurbished -- that will ship within the next 14 days. I guess I will give it one more shot, as this is really a PC I want. By the time I receive the replacement it will be nearly three months since the first order.
  • Richard
    Can you give me a feel for the operating speed using Microsoft Office, web surfing? I don't have a frame of reference to know how to judge the 1.4 GH vs the 2.1 GH of the Adamo Onyx. I wouldn't want to buy a $2K laptop and have a sense that it was slow. Can you reassure me about this?

    Thanks!
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