8.9-inch MSI Wind shows up at Computex

We had heard that MSI planned to offer up an 8.9-inch Wind in overseas markets in addition to the 10-inch model we're getting 'round here, but we haven't actually been able to get a look at it until our crack team from Engadget Chinese hit up Computex and got up close and personal with one of 'em. Dubbed the Wind U90, this one is apparently identical to the now-familiar 10-inch model in every respect except for the screen (no word on the resolution) which, as you can see above, is accommodated by an extra-wide bezel instead of an all around smaller laptop. No word on a price, but you can look for this one to launch alongside or slightly after the 10-inch U100 model "towards the end of June."

[Thanks, Ax]

[Andrew Scala @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:21PM]

I think that the U100 is a good enough deal as it is. Are people really going to be so cheap to save a few bucks for a smaller screen on the U90, especially when the U100 is only going to be $400/500?

[DarkLight @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:16PM]

Well, depending on the price cut, I might...

I'm on a 3rd world country, what is an insignificant amount for Americans, is a great deal of money for me

[Mike Cerm @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:43PM]

It really depends on all of the specs. The screen resolution would be the same on the smaller screen, so you wouldn't be giving up anything there, so if you could save $50 and get a 9" instead of a 10", that would be fine with me.

If could do the 9" and cut back on the unneccesary features like webcam, bluetooth, and dropped the 80GB HD for something smaller, and then charged $300 for it, that would be fine with me. Sort of what Asus did with the 2G Surf model EeePCs, but better. The Surf compromised too much to the point the it was almost useless (and not upgradable), and was still about $100 more expensive than it should have been.

[Gilbert Tang @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:25PM]

I would definitely want to save the few bucks, ESPECIALLY if the specs were the same, the price was lower, and--MOST importantly--if it was simply smaller and didn't have the extra space around the bezel.

[martin @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:22PM]

whats the point? hardly like the screen size will make it any cheaper

[Matt @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:23PM]

Umm... I'm pretty that making it cheaper is exactly the point.

[Ayman @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:26PM]

your just asking for it, aren't ya?

[Matt @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:22PM]

Wow, with the Linux based U100 coming in at $400, this one has to be going for at least $350 if not $300. Talk about a deal.

[IT-Accountant @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:27PM]

It seems MSI is ending up a lot closer to the original Eee concept than Asus.

[Gilbert Tang @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:26PM]

And for that, I will more than likely be purchasing one of these and not one of those. :)

[Ayman @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:28PM]

This must be a pretty small laptop
or that engadget card is really really big

[Deed @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:32PM]

Of course it's a "pretty small laptop."

It's the motherfucking Wind. It's slightly larger than the EEE, but that also means it has a keyboard that's actually usable.

[Ayman @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:37PM]

Hmmm you think!!!!!!
Consider Sarcasm
instead of Blowing Eee Wind every where.... you got me so AMD between 901 and 1000H Eee times

[Gilbert Tang @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

It's an Engadget Chinese business card. In China the cards are proportionately gigantic as well, so you're just seeing some of that reflected here.

[Gilbert Tang @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

It's an Engadget Chinese business card. In China the cards are proportionately gigantic as well, so you're just seeing some of that reflected here.

[riggs @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:06PM]

its the motherfucking wind will become the new internet meme

[ronald.raygun @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:30PM]

thank you msi for putting as much keyboard as you can in there. just wish that trackpad was wider.

[Brady @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:33PM]

Dang that just looks ugly compared to the U100. I think I know I'm not getting this thing. The U100 on the other hand is pretty much a sure thing unless the EEE1000 can hit shelves before or at the same time as the U100.

[Mindaugas @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:29PM]

All this is fine, but where the hell is Mini Inspiron ???

[Gilbert Tang @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:40PM]

Haven't we learned our collective lesson about getting a Dell by now?

[ronald.raygun @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:49PM]

they said info today! where is it? argh and a release date

[Jeff P. @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:57PM]

@Gilbert Tang
Yes we have Gilbert. We've learned that Dell makes excellent computers and has good customer service. At least that's my lesson after buying a 24" monitor and an XPS1530 notebook.

[Gilbert Tang @ Jun 4th 2008 8:24PM]

@ Jeff P.

I don't doubt for a minute that you had a great experience. In fact, I'm sure many others have as well. I will even disregard the fact that I owned three different Dell (two Inspiron 4000-series, one 8000-series) computers that all crapped out at one point to make my argument as unbiased as I can.

However, there are many reports that show that Dell has an unacceptable rate of failure for its desktops and laptops (TV's are well-regarded) akin to the Xbox 360. They also show that Dell's service is seriously lacking in response (once again I would love to use myself as an example, but choose otherwise). This is further exemplified by the fact that Dell itself recently vowed to direct a huge sum of money toward revamping its service operations. Lastly, Dell was recently held accountable in court for its misleading pricing strategy (among other things).

So let's look at this rationally. Shall I buy a computer from a manufacturer that has evidently fallen from grace, or shall I choose one from any number of more reputable manufacturers? It's not as though we don't have several choices in this arena of commerce. Why take the risk?

Thanks for responding, Jeff.

[Jeff P. @ Jun 8th 2008 2:15PM]

@Gilbert Tang,
I have no doubt that you could come up with "reports" that show Dell in a negative light. On the other hand, I could come up with a bunch that show the opposite. Dell is not the perfect company and I am NOT a Dell fanboy, however, I've had nothing but positive experiences with Dell products and Customer Support. This includes my personal purchases as well as dozens of systems purchased by the company I work for. Yes Dell has their problems but taken in the grand scheme of things I think the positives outweigh the negatives. If you've had bad experiences with them then, by all means, stay away. Just don't assume that your experiences are shared by all of Engadget's readers.

[SouthEastBeast @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:49PM]

Atheros chipset... same as EEE? Do want for BT3

[acme @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:14PM]

am i the only one that notices the awesome engadget branding on this thing?

[acme @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:16PM]

LOL never mind, just a business card!

[Jeff P. @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:55PM]

Don't be embarrassed, I thought the same thing at first.

[Chris2 @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:56PM]

Dear god could you at least try to make your spammy comment sound somewhat unforced and natural! Really, it breaks my heart...

[JeremyR @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:03PM]

Dear Engadget, please please please create a new blog/site/whatever just for these UMPC devices so I no longer have to see them on the main site. Thanks!

[sandman74 @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:30PM]

You posting this again... on every netbook story...??

looking at the number of comments people are writing about these devices, they are driving people to the site.. so keep em coming engadget !

[Mark @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:18PM]

$300 and I'm there

[diode3diode @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:07PM]

Ooh, ooh, an Engadget sponsored MSi Wind!!
Me want.

[nonamo @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:10PM]

Bezel!!!

2 steps forward... 1 step back

[batmon @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:47PM]

http://www.msimobile.com/nblist.aspx?series=u

It seems like the only difference between XP version and the Linux version is the battery. They both comes with 512MB RAM only. :-(

[Gabriel @ Jun 4th 2008 3:00AM]

Having a smaller screen should boost the battery life, should it not? And while they're at it, they should skip the web-cam as well. Maybe chuck in a 6-cell battery instead of 3-cell. Would be interesting to see how long such a Wind would last before having to be recharged...

[Schfelzerberg @ Jun 4th 2008 8:33AM]

Seems like MSI's actually getting closer to the promised $200 price point of 'netbooks'. ASUS' EEE PC might be the pioneer, but it certainly isn't worth jacking the price up. The 'original' may not always be better.

[Slycer @ Jun 4th 2008 12:40PM]

Looks very nice but i'll stick with the bigger one.