Basically, this is the same netbook as the older U110, but subs the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 for a 1.3GHz Intel Atom Z530. The new processor is better for power efficiency, but has shown less performance punch than the typical netbook Atom. The system still has the same 1GB memory and 160GB hard drive. It’s also offered with either Windows XP or Vista.

The real difference here is that giant 9-cell battery which supposedly gives a 15-hour run, and I guess the "Eco" name, which doesn’t seem to refer to any particular environmental update. That battery doesn’t only give the netbook a larger behind, but it adds to its weight. List price is USD$430, though Newegg has it right now for USD$400.

Source: Gizmodo

The MSI x340 is not a netbook. Unlike it’s netbook cousin, the x320, the 340 comes equipped with Intel ULV processor and look identical to the 320. Although it is not a netbook, we thought you might be interested to see how the X family looks like compared to the Macbook Air. So here goes…Read more

MSI’s eco-friendly Wind Top AE1900 has already been formally introduced and spotted over in Hanover earlier this year, but the outfit notorious for withholding price and availability information until the last possible moment has finally let loose those very details. The 18.5-inch all-in-one PC is available with an Atom 230 or 330 CPU, a 1,366 x 768 resolution touchscreen, integrated GMA950 graphics, 2GB of DDR2-533 RAM, a 160GB or 250GB hard drive, 4-in-1 multicard reader, dual-layer DVD writer, WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and audio in / out sockets to boot. Two configurations are available, with the lesser of the two going for $529.

Source: Engadget

In total there are 3 in the series, the U123, U123H and the U123T.

U123 Series use the latest Atom platform from Intel and basic HDD capacity has been upgraded to 160GB. Other specifications include 2GB of DRAM, a 10" display and Windows compatibility.

Of interest is the MSI EasyFace feature. Through the embedded webcam of U123 series, the Easy Face Manager function can scan the face of the user and record reorganization through eyes, cheekbones, jaw line, and nose. The user can adjust the level for personal security identification. (One user ID can store up to ten facial images)

The U123T comes with an integrated TV Tuner that will allow users to watch and record TV programs on their netbooks.

Additional specs below:

Source: MSI

It’s hardly the first netbook battery comparison to appear in the Thunderdome that is the internet, but this latest thirteen-strong round-up from Australia’s NetbookReview is one of the more comprehensive to emerge as of late, with it only slightly compromised by a few netbooks that aren’t available in the site’s home country. Not surprisingly, the netbooks equipped with six-cell batteries came out well ahead of their less well off counterparts, with the MSI Wind U115 Hybrid leading the way with an impressive time of 6:56. That was obviously aided in no small part by the netbook’s dual SSD / hard drive setup, and by a less commonly used 5100mAh six-cell battery, as opposed to the 6600mAh version used in the second and third place Eee PCs (which each clocked in around the four-hour mark). Bringing up the rear were the Lenovo IdeaPad S10 and Dell Mini 12, neither of which were able to eek out even two hours of use. As you might expect, however, all of the tests involved a worst-case scenario, so you can expect to get a good deal more juice from all of ‘em if you’re not spending every waking hour watching WMV files.

Source: netbookreview, via Engadget

Think MacBook Air (those clever guys at SlashGear even grabbed some shots of it next to an Air). More impressive is that even despite its thinness it packs a good amount of ports, including 3 USB, Ethernet, VGA Out and a mic and headphone. It also has a card reader. As for weight, we sure believe the 2.9 pound claim since the notebook was very light. Like the Wind, the X320 has a minimalist design and is available in champagne, black and white.  The glossy champagne lid wasn’t flashy and we appreciated how the MSI logo centered on the lid was backlit (stealing yet another design cue from the Air). Under the lid is a 13.4 inch glossy display surrounded by a fairly thick, glossy black bezel. The X320 has a full-size keyboard with a similar feel to the one on the Wind. While the trackpad is large and spacious, there is that same single mouse button that we didn’t exactly love on the original Wind.

Check out Laptop Mag for the rest of the review with video and photos.

I almost passed by the MSI Wind X-Slim netbooks, but the form-factor was just too darn alluring. With a starting price of $700, you’re getting a VW-like netbook on the inside, but it’s wrapped up in a nice Ferrari-ish exterior. My first thought was to balk at the price because the same basic guts can be had in other netbooks for far less money. Just a few minutes of hands on with the X-Slim has me reconsidering.

It’s not so much that the device is thin, although that is a nice feature. It’s more about what you’re gaining due to the bigger footprint: a far more usable display paired with a full-sized keyboard. That keyboard has a great feel to it as well; you really can’t compare it to the keyboard on a smaller netbook and there’s no compromise with it. There isn’t much compromise in the number of ports either: you still get three USB, an Ethernet and an SD/MMC card reader. I walked away most impressed, but still keeping in mind that under the hood is a relatively low-powered netbook. Or is a notebook? Looking the way it does at this price, I’m not sure it matters.

Really, I am so impressed by the X-Slim with each new review I read. I already have a few friends and colleagues who are making the X-Slim their next netbook purchase. Can’t wait for it to be available here.

MSI is showing off the MSI Wind U123 and the X320/X340 in the X-Slim line at CTIA. These two devices are expected to start at $700 and $1,000, respectively, and both feature the small dimensions of 8.8″x 12.9″x 0.7″ with a 13.4-inch screen at 1366×768 resolution. Each is 2.8 pounds with the standard 4-cell battery, although you can use an optional 8-cell battery as well. The main reason for the $300 price differential between the X320 and the X340 is that one is built around traditional netbook components while the other is closer to a standard notebook build. Here’s a rundown of a few examples; the first spec is for the $700 X320 while the second is for the $1,000 X340:

• Processor = 1.6GHz Intel Atom / Intel ULV SU3500 (speed not specified)
• Graphics: Intel GMA500 / Intel GMA4500MHD
• Memory: DDR2-667 up to 2GB / DDR2-800 up to 4GB

Both devices will run on Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium and each offers ample storage and connectivity.

Read more here.

I know the public beta for Windows 7 has been out for a while now and it has been getting rave reviews from the community especially those who use it on their netbooks.

For those of you, yes the 6 of you, who have not seen Windows 7 in action on a netbook, here is a video of it running and streaming online videos on a MSI Wind U100.

Showing us that it can do better than the U120, MSI is displaying at its CeBIT booth the U123 netbook. Coming with the new 1.66 GHz Atom N280 CPU, the upcoming Wind model has a 10-inch screen, 1GB of RAM, GMA 950 integrated graphics, a 160GB hard drive and either a 6- or 9-cell battery. Also boasting 3G connectivity, the U123 is set to arrive next month in black, white, red and blue.

TechConnect Magazine - MSI Wind U123 netbook pictured

MSI announced the x320 netbook in January (We heard that it will be on the shelves sometime in April). It looks very much like a MacBook Air. Graced with a magnificent 13.4  inch, 1366 x 768 display, the X320 is super thin and light, measuring less than an inch thick, and weighing about 2.9 pounds. But unlike the MacBook Air, the MSI X320 runs on an Intel Atom Z520 CPU which means two things: It won’t exactly be a speed demon, and it’ll be a lot cheaper than the Air.

How much cheaper? Laptop Magazine reports that the X320 will retail for between $700 and $900 USD.

What really made netbooks special is that in 2007 Asus built the first consumer oriented ultraportable laptop that didn’t cost more than a full sized laptop just because it was smaller. It used to be that if you wanted an ultraportable machine you would have to pay top dollar for it. And now thanks to Asus, Acer, HP, Dell, Lenovo, MSI, and a whole bunch of other companies (including the OLPC Foundation), that’s not the case anymore. You can buy a 7 to 10 inch laptop that provides decent if not spectacular performance for around $400, sometimes less.

Now here’s the thing. That still leaves a fairly large gap in the market for light weight computers. You can pay around $400 for a netbook. Or anywhere from $400 to $1200 or so for a full sized laptop that probably weighs 5 or 6 pounds or more. Or you can pay $1500 for a 3 pound notebook with a larger, higher resolution display and better graphics and processing power, not to mention an optical disc drive.

The MSI X320 helps fill a new niche: Sub-$1000 light weight, full sized computers. Sure, $700 is still a hefty chunk of money for some people. But if you care more about light weight than small size, I can see some folks paying extra for a larger display and a full sized keyboard.

You can find more information about the MSI X320 including more hands-0n photos and a video at the Laptop Magazine blog.