Dell laps up praise for super-thin notebook

PC maker Dell is thumbing its nose at the recession, this week launching a new top-of-the line range of laptops which will cost New Zealand buyers a minimum of $4499.

Dell's Adamo range, launched in 24 countries including New Zealand on Tuesday, is said to be the world's thinnest laptop and is being pitched at high-end buyers who have lapped up devices such as Apple's MacBook Air.

Critics claim Dell, the world's second largest PC maker, lacks the "coolness factor" of its competitors, especially Apple, necessary to pull off its move into the high-end, design-driven laptop market.

But other commentators responded positively to the Adamo launch, saying quality design was the next big trend in laptop sales and Dell would benefit from being able to sell to its loyal customer base.

New Zealand buyers will pay more than the standard $4499 price tag if they choose to customise Adamo machines with additional extra technology.