MSI Wind benchmarked and reviewed: now official alternative to Eee PC
By Thomas Ricker 
posted June 3rd 2008 4:42AM
posted June 3rd 2008 4:42AM
Read -- Benchmarks and pictures
Read -- Review
MSI LAUNCHES THE WIND - THE FIRST 10" NOTEBOOK TO FEATURE INTEL ATOM CPU
The 2.6 lbs Wind features 5+ HR battery life, Windows XP, ergonomic keyboard, and 80G hard drive all for under $500
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – June 3rd, 2008 – MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is excited to announce the official launch of the much anticipated Wind Notebook. The Wind, an acronym for "Wi-Fi Network Device," is the first 10" notebook to feature the speedy new Intel Atom™ 1.6GHz processor
"Intel is excited to collaborate with MSI to usher in the next generation of mobile computing devices," said Steve Dallman, Intel VP Sales and marketing Group and GM, Worldwide Reseller Channel Organization. "The Wind's user–friendly design, combined with the low power and 45nm High-K process of the Intel Atom processor, makes for an exceptional netbook."
Weighing in at just 2.6 lbs, MSI designed the Wind to be lightweight and ultra mobile, without sacrificing convenience or performance. The Wind features an ergonomically designed keyboard that is only 20% smaller than of a full sized keyboard, with keys spaced a comfortable 0.68 inches apart. Business travelers will welcome the extended battery life available with the Windows based version, which provides up to 5.5 hours of untethered work time.
The Windows version of the Wind features an 80G / 2.5" SATA hard drive, which further sets it apart from other ultra portable notebooks, whose manufacturers have compromised memory capacity to save space. The Wind's display features embedded LED power-saving backlight technology, which provides superior color quality and brightness. This innovative notebook also comes standard with a 1.3M webcam, Bluetooth capabilities, 3 USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader.
The Windows version of the Wind is priced at $499 MSRP, and will be available for purchase starting June 16th, 2008 at www.msimobile.com. The Linux based models of the Wind will be available at the same site later this summer for $399 MSRP.
Asus has lost focus with the Eee line. They needed a good trashing to get their asses back on track. Lets hope they do.
Whoa, Asus/asses. Gnarly. I'm too stoned.
Same thing happened to Moto with the RAZR. Lost focus, went down big time...
Lenovo should release a ThinkPad 10" subnotebook. It'd be expensive, but a good reason to sell that spare kidney...
I am not sure about Asus, but this will certainly put the
wind up Apple.
Where is Apple ? They are always a little late to the party. They do tend to bring te bottle of scotch, but then again they do tend to sit in the corner drinking it on their own. Then they tend to leave early, and no body really notices until the next morning when they find the puke puddle behind the sofa where they were sitting, and ask "What happened to Apple".
This is the end of Apple. By definition; an affordable usable netbook. This is the new arena on which the computer battle will be fought. They have not even made a showing. It is over. Asian companies offering quality products at the right product life cycle, at affordable value will win the day.
It is over for Apple.
Apple has thus far restrained themselves from getting into the 'cheap' category. OK Apple fanboys, I'm not saying Apple products cost way more than their competition, but they're usually comparable, not cheaper.
Maybe this whole sub/mini/netbook noteboook market craze will force them in this market. If so, good luck - there's a lot of competition, so they'll have to represent well - which they're certainly capable of...just need to trim their margins a bit.
Interesting resolution...
Yeah, that should read 1,024x600. The illustration at the bottom of the post has it right.
This thing is perfect. I can't wait for the $399 Linux version. I'll put XP on it myself since I already several copies, some of which have been abandoned after upgrading to Vista.
to be fair, i think people buying these types of computer wont really care as to the brand but the specs and to a lesser degree the warranty.
They just announced that tablet netbook, which would be so much better than any of the currently netbooks that are available now.
if the quality is there, brand wouldnt really mean anything
Later this summer?
What a bummer - I wanted it for a long travel I'll do on July... (Even if I manage to get one before - there's the time you need to customize it, it's not just pick-and-go)
Guess I'll have to do with only my ol' trusty CF-modded LifeDrive... Again... (But hopefully for the last time)
I was expecting the thing to be available today! I want it now!
is that a replacable hard drive??
Website reads 512MB RAM instead of the 1GB you guys post...
http://www.msimobile.com/nblist.aspx?series=u
Doesn't matter, if I buy this, I'll definitely void warranty to upgrade it to 2GB.
Just noticed too that the linux version comes with a 3 cell battery unlike the 6 cell battery that will ship with the windows version.
Also the main page reads 512MB RAM for both but the specs for windows shows 1GB while the linux shows 512MB.
Linux specs
http://www.msimobile.com/DetailPage.aspx?model=Wind_NB_Linux
Windows specs
http://www.msimobile.com/DetailPage.aspx?model=Wind_NB_Windows
Fn key is on the far left instead of Ctrl.
Fail.
How I thoath the Fn...
My Macbook pro has Fn far left then ctrl key... Its not an issue. Just tell your brain where the ctrl key actually is.... and hopefully it will remember the next time. Eventually.. it will get it ! (unless there is a defect in your brain !)
Certainly not a 'fail'.
I agree with sandman74
My Asus A8Js has Fn key far left then ctrl key also..
I though it will be a problem (if you use Photoshop, the ctrl-shift-alt combo will be the most important keys in your keyboard). But eventually, it become natural...
Don't even dare to move that "Fn" key, that's the best place for him. It was in the same place in every laptop I have had.
Yes, I know it's there on most laptops. It's there on my current laptop, and it irks me to no end!
When you're switching from Laptops to using regular keyboards constantly, it starts to get really annoying...I see no reason why the FN key should be there and the control key be moved in the first place.
There's no defect in my brain, I've just got big hands and I just don't like change...and the Fn key.
ASUS put the control key on the far left with the Fn to the right of it on the EeePC, which I applaud!
I'm no Eee fanboy, but this is seriously on the main reasons I'm currently looking at getting an Eee rather than a Wind.
Unless of course someone know of a way to remap the keys?
Depending on how much they charge for the upgrade to 6cell on the linux system, getting the XP one (sooner rather than waiting on the linux model) might be worth doing. I'll pay $60 for the battery upgrade, $10 for the boost to 1GB from 512mb ram, and $30 for the opportunity to rock this in JUNE rather than later in the summer.
Ken this is what Microsoft want's, don't pay the M$ tax.
MSI has just lost me as a customer.
ASUS just gave the Linux model some extra HDD space to balance
out the Windows licence. I know it must be difficult for company's to sell Linux
Laptops with Microsoft bullying them, but MSI just crippled the Linux model .
Reader is not SDHC - deal killer.
On the Fn key - IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads have been that way forever... (and still have the really squisshed windoze key)
card reader is, unofficially, SDHC, although cards stick out of the body of the Wind when fully inserted
Also screen resolution is 1024x600 not 1204 x 600 as per your post.
Anyone know when they will be available in Australia and what prices to expect?
also.. what sites would ship one internationally when they become available?
i'm referring to the US based web site stores like NewEgg or Buy.com
it is supposed to be available through limited channels at the beginning of July, supposedly July 3 or 4... anyways it is supposed to be priced at around $699, which at that price will make me import one from my relatives in the USA.
$$$700 They can kiss my ass :p
eBay here we come :) umm.. thanks for answering my post below too.
What a great price, $399 for a 10" notebook? This seems like the first worthy EeePC killer. I've got my eyes set on this, but I'm going to sit back and watch the market compete with itself for a while before making a decision.
This design looks far better than the EeePC too. Just gotta see what Acer and Dell have up their sleeves and the next few months might be really interesting for the ultra-portable market.
Sold. unless Dell's subbook is cheap and good specs
Quick one: Can anyone confirm this does not support 802.11a, as I read at least on a few spots that it very may well work on the 5ghz band...
I'm probably going to pick up one of these, and may very well put vista on it too, but how I wish they would release the linux one with bluetooth and the larger battery... a bit disappointed they didn't give us those options..
Oh and my biggest disappointment... i live in Australia.. i wonder if we'll ever see this thing....
Available on Expensys at their usual price of normal price+20%
Rip-off merchants.
It's available on ebay...
...was, for a couple of hours, all 10 went in a jiffy
Can the HD be changed with a 250GB Samsung SpinPoint and add up to 2GB of RAM? if i could get that hard drive and 2GB of RAM on this baby, it would be A SUCCESS!!!
I read in the interview with the creator that it's a standard sata 2.5 hdd and should accept up to 320GB. I'm guessing even the 500gb would work, but atleast it's confirmed up to 320gb. Now I know what to do with my spare 250GB WD passport drive :)
I agree with ken. What would someone recommend for an optical drive? Any ol USB 2.0 external from newegg? All my previous laptops had drives in them...
So tell me....how appropriate are these as a kids 1st laptop? For, say ages 9-13?
I don't know. Kids are just like little versions of people aren't they?
I don't see anything for sale at msimobile.com. There is a "Where to Buy" link which has buy.com, mwave, newegg, zipzoomfly and yagear. Half of these don't even list a single MSI nootbook computer of any sort.
wait, I thought these were supposed to be available today? and the Linux ones won't be available till later this summer?
It has been officially announced but isnt on sale yet
Is there a way to swap the Fn and the Crlt key?? I hate those positions!
I wish they follow ACER's keyboard layout.
wtf why does the linux version have to come with less battery power and ram! thats garbage if they could give me the above status for 400 i would be sold today
Agreed, except I'm OK with the RAM. Is Microsoft paying them off?
Are there any comments on the quality of the screen, particularly the viewing angles? The Asus laptop I have at the moment has a TN panel with the worst viewing angles in history. Even looking at it straight on, a large part of the screen already fades to gray.
Will it be able to use AutoCAD? or Autodesk products?
I can't find anything online about using AutoCAD with an Atom processor. I would assume that since you could run CAD on a crap Celeron that it would be possible. The only thing you'd have to deal with is the stupid warning every time you start up "autocad requires 1024x768..." I'm sure if you clean up the UI a bit it'll be fine for 2D linework. Certainly not a main system though.
Won't be able to verify. Just settled for a cheap C2D Dell for school...
I want to get a Wind, but I really don't have a need for its size....soo....I guess it would be an impluse purchase?
Is it ok if i get the Linux version and install XP on it? (Via usb)