MSI Wind benchmarked and reviewed: now official alternative to Eee PC

Here's the moment many of you Eee-wannabees have been waiting for, the official announcement of the 10-inch, 1,204 x 600 LED-backlit MSI Wind. No surprises here on the leakiest of all netbooks. Still, when you consider that your $399 buys you a Linux-based system riding atop Intel's 1.6GHz Atom processor, an 80GB 2.5-inch disk, 5.5-hour rated battery, 1.3-megapixel webcam, Bluetooth and 802.11b/g WiFi, it makes the $625 price of the Eee PC 1000(H) pretty tough to justify. Unless 802.11n and that beefier battery really do it for you. If the price doesn't sway you then how about a review? Laptop magazine just published their thoughts on the $499 XP model and gave it their "editor's choice" award calling the Wind "the best all-around mini-notebook to date." Now the bad news: the XP Wind ships June 16th while the el-cheapo Linux version won't ship until later this summer. Full press release and specs posted after the break.

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.

[tiuk Posted Jun 3rd 2008 4:41PM]

Good, maybe this will make Asus smarten up.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2008 12:01PM]

I've been looking for a small, cheap laptop to complement my desktop for college this fall, and it seems that the Linux-based Wind is looking just right. As long as I get the white one

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2008 12:08PM]

This thing looks great but I really hope that the Eee 1000 can compete with it price-wise. Otherwise, I'm sold on this. I really hope I can get this no later than June 16th from a brick and mortar store though or else it's open season on which netbook I actually get. June 16th release = purchase for me.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2008 12:52PM]

I really like this system but i am ticked that they gimped the battery on the linux edition. Your only rated to get 3 hours on the linux version while windows is rated at 5.5. I'm guessing that means about two hours and some change with the wi fi on in the linux version. Not nearly enough.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2008 2:06PM]

Can't wait to sell Dell's Mini Inspirion specs. I am really starting to like this SNB.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2008 2:50PM]

Looks like ASUS just got out-Whataburgered

(Funny to people in Texas. Feel free to rate me down now.)

[marcusp90 Posted Jun 3rd 2008 2:47PM]

I'm totally sold with the pink one.

[(Unverified) Posted 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!

[Darryl Posted Jun 3rd 2008 6:19PM]

Hate to say this, but the Windows one is looking good. The battery and RAM are better and seem to make up for the increased cost. When I was using an old ultraportable as practice for using a mini laptop, I used windows 2000 9 times out of 10. I'll make it dual boot anyways though.

[Randomness Posted Jun 4th 2008 4:55AM]

Thanks for once again crippling the linux version as all the others have done. You can go %*&^ yourselves.

[TheHoldSteady Posted Jun 4th 2008 10:43PM]

Absolutely, Randomness. I don't know if MSI spread their legs for Microsoft willingly or by force, but it absolutely stinks. But, perhaps their reasoning is you should get a discount for a hacker's dream OS that is built out of papier-mache and chicken wire.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 5th 2008 7:21AM]

will hopefully buy xp version and install ubuntu via usb, what linux distro comes with the linux version>