Dell has finally realized that releasing an overpriced computer with weak technical specs was not the best idea in a down economy.
The company has dropped the price of its Adamo laptops considerably, ZDNet reports. The 1.2 GHz model, once $1,999, now costs $1,499. The 1.4 GHz model was cut from $2,699 to $2,299.
Announced in March, the Adamo was viewed as a rival to the MacBook Air, coming close in thickness, weighing 4 pounds and sporting an aluminum frame in either onyx and pearl colors. While aesthetically desirable, the laptops lacked in performance, with the most expensive model packing 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB solid state drive -- not bad, but hardly worth $2,699.
Even now, the price cuts may be too little, too late. Apple has already cut the price of its MacBook Air, selling the 1.86 GHz model for $1,499 and the 2.13 GHz model -- 128 GB solid state drive an all -- for $1,799.
As ZDNet points out, Apple had a great quarter for laptop sales, and Dell did not. While it's hard to blame that solely on the Adamo, the laptop hasn't been popular enough to justify the hype Dell bestowed upon it before launch.
Apple's finding its way in a tough economy because its selling to people who aren't suffering from the recession. Dell is failing to get in on this, because even affluent buyers know the difference between an elegant but medium-powered laptop and a straight-up rip off.
