Dell unleashes Alienware M11x, Adamo notebooks

SINGAPORE – To mark the start of its new fiscal year this month, Dell unveiled here last week a collection of new products led by the Adamo XPS notebook billed as the world’s thinnest notebook and the Alienware M11x gaming machine that is truly a game-changer in more ways than one.

Groundbreaking design and mobility are the encompassing themes that dictated the looks and features of the new Dell Adamo XPS and Alienware M11x.

The Adamo XPS pushes the envelope of design and calls itself an engineering marvel because it’s only a 9.99-mm thin notebook that packs everything in. Under the Adamo XPS hood is an Intel Core 2 Duo ULV (ultra-low voltage) (1.4GHz) processor, an Intel integrated graphics card, a 4GB DDr3-800MHz memory card, and a 128GB thin micro solid state drive that is faster, cooler, quieter and more durable than standard hard drives.

The Adamo XPS has a 13.4-inch HD WLED display where the keyboard bolts into when the notebook is closed or folded. It also has a unique capacitive latching device that requires just a slight swipe of a finger or wrist to open.

When the Adamo XPS is open, the body and keyboard part is raised at an angle from the table surface and is supported by the cover and display part. This creates a space under the laptop, allowing the Adamo XPS to cool itself without the need for additional peripheral like a notebook raiser.

Adding to the beauty of the Adamo XPS are its metal keycaps, diamond cut-engraved Adamo branding, and flared side-port details and aluminum accents. The Adamo XPS weighs at least 3.2 lbs and is targeted for sophisticated notebook users.

An unprecedented amount of horsepower in a small form factor also characterizes the new Alienware M11x, Dell’s most powerful 11-inch laptop to date. First unveiled during the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Alienware M11x is proof of a successful collaboration resulting from Dell’s acquisition of Alienware.

To introduce its hottest gaming laptop, Dell had Singapore’s top professional gamer called StrykerX from Team Titans to talk about what machine gamers like him crave for and how the Alienware M11x fits the bill.

“When we practice and compete, portability is a huge issue. We’ve been crying out for something we can use on the go, that has long battery life and truly portable. Dell has found the solution,” says StrykerX.

Albeit its small size, the Dell Alienware M11x packs a lot of punch because of these specs: up to Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800 MHz, 3MB) processor, 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M graphics, up to 8GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, up to 500GB 7200 RPM or 256GB SSD hard drive, and over 6,100 3Dmark 06 score. Noteworthy, too, is its 8.5 hours of battery life.

Interestingly, this serious gaming laptop can switch to a normal notebook when not being used for games. With this versatile feature, company executives say the Alienware M11x opens a new market for Dell as it can be used for work or school and by gamers alike, especially by those who want to elevate in the level of hardcore gamers with the help of a powerful game notebook.

Dell’s new innovative and thoughtfully designed notebooks give the company “the best looking range of devices in the PC world today,” said Ian Chapman Banks, Dell’s general manager for the Asia-Pacific consumer division.

Banks, who led the presentation of Dell’s latest products to the regional press, said Dell’s product designs are the result of careful listening to what customers want.

He said Dell has 1.5 million followers on the popular networking site Twitter, allowing them to pick up on customer’s feedbacks and preferences. As a result, Dell not only generated $6.5 million in revenues on Twitter alone, the company also bagged at least 10 design awards, Banks said.

“We have a broad range of devices catering to different needs and around the world people say they want mobility,” said Banks, adding that “consumers in Asia are smart and they go for functionality. Size is important as well as style.”

Meanwhile, Dell is keen on its ongoing retail transformation. Banks said Dell this year will aim to give its consumers great retail experience by letting them experience Dell products in more stores through its channel partners.

“Execution is key in extending our retail footprint. We will have more concept stores around the region but there are no plans to open our own stores but tap partners’ stores within stores and in large-format stores. From (being) zero in consumer retail we managed to do a pretty solid performance in the last two years in this space,” noted Banks.

Local pricing for the new Adamo XPS and Alienware M11X are yet to be announced. However, their predecessor, the Adamo 13 retails for P139,999, while the Alienware M15x and Alienware M17x sell for P167,500 and P174,500, respectively.