Dell is killing off its ultraportable Adamo laptop line, which was initially meant to compete with Apple’s impossibly thin Macbook Air, according to CNet.
The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as Dell has been offering the Adamo at a deep discount since December. The Adamo launched at a pricey $2,000 in March 2009. But as of January, Dell was selling the laptop for $799. Now it’s yet another example of a PC manufacturer trying to compete toe-to-toe with Apple and failing.
The Adamo featured a solid-state hard drive like the Air, had a slick aluminum case and was ultra-thin at just .65 inches. It was more powerful and featured a higher resolution screen than the first-generation Macbook Air, but Apple struck back with an even more compelling Air last year. The new Macbook Air started at a mere $999 for the 11-inch version, and the more compelling 13.3-inch model started at a reasonable $1,299. After seeing the new Air, it was clear the Adamo’s days were numbered.
A source told CNet that the Adamo’s spirit may live on in a new Dell laptop set to be revealed within six months. Meanwhile, Samsung is set to launch its own Macbook Air competitor soon with the 9 Series ultraportable laptop.
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