MSI Wind starts arriving, gets unboxed

Sure, the MSI Wind's taken its sweet time to start shipping here in the States, but it looks like a few units finally started trickling out last week, and that means its time for a torrent of unboxing pictures and videos to flood the tubes. Adam Smith has the first video we've seen -- head on after the break to watch his very-visible hands pull a black Wind running XP blinking into the world for the first time.

[Thanks, Cameron]

[AC @ Jul 14th 2008 7:22PM]

I'm still undecided on which netbook I want.

I'm leaning towards the dell. depending on the operating system.

[^ @ Jul 14th 2008 7:23PM]

NICE

[phanbouy @ Jul 14th 2008 8:18PM]

stop fucking posting NICE in every single article! good god, kid.

[BOGRASH @ Jul 14th 2008 8:51PM]

phanbouy: stop fucking posting.

[Ryan @ Jul 14th 2008 8:48PM]

NICE

[vdogg89 @ Jul 14th 2008 11:29PM]

ya phanbouy I hate you

[Ten @ Jul 14th 2008 7:32PM]

now all i want is for this to be combined with the tablet functionality of the gigabyte m912 and we have a winner.
how hard do you reckon it would be to mod one of these with a touchscreen?

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jul 14th 2008 7:35PM]

Nice, this is hotness. I can't wait to get mine. Too bad my fry's didn't have any, infact they claimed they don't carry MSI notebooks, and i called the San Diego one, they did have them, but for some reason they sent them back to MSI as they weren't even supposed to come.

[nonamo @ Jul 14th 2008 7:42PM]

Beautiful!!!

[nonamo @ Jul 14th 2008 7:42PM]

Just Beautiful!!!

[resistanz @ Jul 14th 2008 7:51PM]

It is one sweet little machine, got my black wind last wednesday in the UK and I've struggled to put it down since. Was tempted by the 901 but decided to wait this one out and it has definitely paid off.

Would like invisible shield to make one for the lid though as it would be a shame to scratch it's precious surface. Also the slip case it comes with isn't a lot to write home about but for the price it is a bonus as a stopgap before something more suitable is found.

[Nick Ritch @ Jul 14th 2008 11:16PM]

I agree, it has been hard to put down. I got my white one on the 9th and I must say, if you haven't seen an eeepc or any other netbook in person you are going to be happily surprised at the size and weight.
There are a few minor annoyances with it. The case it comes with sucks, The track pad is small and the mouse button is annoying. It would be better as two separate buttons. The overclocking button has no functionality and the function key and the ctrl keys really need to be switched.

The screen is bright and the keyboard is comfortable to type on (aside from my complaint about the fn and ctrl keys being switched.) Also it is very fast to boot.

[nzo @ Jul 14th 2008 7:51PM]

*clears throat* Looks nice, I guess I can wait for the dell to drop the dough. *clears throat*

[The Weakonomist @ Jul 14th 2008 7:54PM]

That thing's got more stickers on it than a 96 civic in the hands of a 16 year old.

I second AC above.

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jul 14th 2008 8:55PM]

All laptops have that many, but this looks like more because of the little real estate.

[YpoCaramel @ Jul 14th 2008 7:59PM]

Well that decides it - my Wind will be black. Unless the Gigabyte tablet/netbook comes along first.

[alex @ Jul 14th 2008 11:37PM]

Agree. The Gigabyte could double as a PMP in tablet mode and it comes with Bluetooth to boot for that wonderful feeling of cordless headphones while watching movies on it.

[whowhatme @ Jul 15th 2008 2:06AM]

purty. black or white, you can't lose!

(actually, i'd like to see the pink one, too, i'm a big fan of pink)

[Mile @ Jul 14th 2008 8:25PM]

I'm this close ->

[Mile @ Jul 14th 2008 8:26PM]

Hmmm...try it again...

I'm this close but must wait for Dell to show me what they've got.

[Jimmy @ Jul 14th 2008 8:33PM]

This may sound like a stupid question, but is it 6 or 3 cell? I was squinting when he showed the specs on the side of the box- was almost convinced it said '6 cell'...

[Ryan @ Jul 14th 2008 8:50PM]

Probably a 3 cell, since the 6 cells aren't supposed to be out before September.

[Adam @ Jul 15th 2008 11:47AM]

To answer the questions, it's just a 3-cell. Sorry for the poor first-pass recording. I even have a tripod and didn't use it; I really didn't anticipate the number of people watching it.

[BOGRASH @ Jul 14th 2008 8:53PM]

takes too long to boot, battery and trackpad are weak and it's too big. i'll take a linux 901 with a nlited xp sp3 for 12 sec boot time thanks, you can keep this msi crap. also this dude is married? he is king of the geeks and still is getting some, so there's hope for you pantywaists yet

[Miles @ Jul 14th 2008 11:05PM]

he makes up for it by being smarter than you

[kccboy2004 @ Jul 14th 2008 9:46PM]

agreed... we start the long wait for dell.

and btw i agee with phanbouy

[kccboy2004 @ Jul 14th 2008 9:49PM]

oh... one more thing.... the next laptop I buy MUST be able to do that "instant boot" into Linux for skype, mail etc... like the Voodoo Envy...what is that called again ?

That will be the deciding factor for me.

[Onetrack @ Jul 14th 2008 9:59PM]

First off.. if you're going to impress us with an unboxing video - buy a tripod or set the camera down on a firm surface.

2nd.
yippee.
-------
msi wind u/100\2gig\250gig\dell 1500 wireless n\osx leopard 10.5.4\
custom slipstream.

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 14th 2008 11:59PM]

3rd: *uugh sound*
4th: he's already unboxed it... no cutting labels?
5th: *uugh sound*
6th: *uugh sound*

[Wormbolt @ Jul 14th 2008 11:06PM]

Real nerds get excited about opening the device, not the box. If you get excited about opening a cardboard box, you're more of a retard.

[Wwhat @ Jul 14th 2008 11:30PM]

Overpriced.

[Scott @ Jul 15th 2008 1:46AM]

Almost sounds like he's coming down with tb. Someone get him a cough drop.
Seriously, why don't people edit/reshoot their videos if they have a lot of throat clearing, background noise, etc.?

[Patrick @ Jul 15th 2008 10:46AM]

How many takes is he to allow himself?
Personally, the throat clearing didn't bother me at all. Perhaps he was sick. Regardless, let's all try to be able to focus on something without being distracted. Someone was SMSing in front of me in a movie theater recently, and while it annoyed the person I was with the whole time, I chose to ignore it. Being able to focus is also very useful in a workplace where there can be many distractions.

[cuillini @ Jul 15th 2008 2:00AM]

hi,

i was wondering if anybody knew when the linux version of the MSI Wind will be release in the US?

[j @ Jul 15th 2008 2:50AM]

does anyone have the *exact* weight of the 3- and 6-cell wind. and how much does the powerbrick weigh? I'm deciding between the 3.2lbs Eee 1000H and this so weight's a BIG factor. thanks!

[Sam Zebian @ Jul 15th 2008 6:06AM]

I'm getting myself an eee 901 in black, this thing doesn't have an ssd and is a little too big for my tastes (but prices is great)

[Phoenix987 @ Jul 15th 2008 6:09AM]

Is it just me, or in the video when he picked up the thing to open it, it left really bad fingerprints?

And also, I know you're excited, but constantly clearing your throat just ruins it.

Nice job making it obvious though that it was the Windows XP Wind, the guy said that 3 times before he took it out of the box.

[Dario @ Jul 15th 2008 12:33PM]

There is a guy selling a Wind here in my country (Uruguay) at U$S 857.

The EEE 701 retails for U$S 600 - so, this is kind of a bargain, isn´t it?

[Björn Giesler @ Jul 15th 2008 1:15PM]

I have one of these (in the almost-identical variant "Medion Akoya Mini" sold in Germany). They are indeed damn sweet and almost 100% Hackintosh compatible (save for the Wifi card and mic/phones). Would recommend them to anyone.

[geognerd @ Jul 15th 2008 4:53PM]

Ugh. Look at all those fingerprints on the lid. Why did they have to make it glossy? Make it matte. Less likely to pick up fingerprints and the matte finish imparts a more professional look. Everything has to be shiny these days. Glossy plastic just makes the product look cheap, and eventually, dirty.

[BoboHC @ Jul 15th 2008 6:46PM]

Can he clear his throat while talking at LEAST 7 or 8 more times next time he films a video? Geez, drink a glass of water before you open the box... you'll survive the 15second wait.

[AllenT @ Jul 16th 2008 10:14PM]

waiting for dell e