MSI's 10-inch Wind winds up in Best Buy

We knew it would be going down, but the formal announcement has finally been made: MSI's Wind will soon be gracing store shelves at Best Buy. As early as "right now" if you're lucky enough, the 10-inch netbook can be procured at your local BB (no word on Future Shop), and we're told that it'll pack a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, Windows XP Home Edition, a 10-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) display, GMA950 graphics set, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 120GB hard drive, 3-cell battery (sigh...) and a black or white motif. You might expect to just snag one real quick like for $399, but don't expect to leave without being hassled for one of those Product Replacement Plans. Fun, fun! Full release is after the break.

MSI WIND BLOWS INTO BEST BUY

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – October 06, 2008 – MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is excited to announce the MSI Wind U100 Netbook is now on sale at Bestbuy locations across the country. The Wind, an acronym for "Wi-Fi Network Device," was the first 10" netbook to feature the speedy new Intel Atom™ 1.6GHz processor

"We are excited to be able to reach our clients through this new channel," said MSI's Director of U.S. Sales Andy Tung. "By partnering with Best Buy we can introduce more people to the Wind, and meet the needs of the buyers who either don't want to purchase online or would like to touch and try out our netbook before making a decision."

Weighing in at just 2.3 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 a full sized notebook keyboard, with the keys spaced a comfortable 0.68 inches apart. FULL SPECIFICATIONS BELOW:

MSI WIND NOTEBOOK SPECIFICATIONS

CPU	Intel Atom 1.6 GHz
Operating System	Genuine Windows XP Home Edition™
Chipset	Intel 945GSE, ICH7-M
Display	10"WSVGA (1024×600) LED
VGA	Intel® GMA950
Memory	1GB DDR2/ 667MHz
Hard Drive	120G / 2.5" SATA
Battery	Lithium Ion 3 Cell
WLAN	802.11b/g
Webcam	1.3m
Dimension	10.23" x 7.08" x 0.748" ~1.24"
Weight	2.3lbs
Colors	Black and White
Manufacturer Warranty	One Year

[Eli @ Oct 6th 2008 4:57PM]

OMG I want one right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zoopthegame @ Oct 6th 2008 5:12PM]

Why? You like OS X?

[Eli @ Oct 6th 2008 5:28PM]

war do u mean? It's windows xp home

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Oct 6th 2008 5:50PM]

Enjoy that 1 hour battery time.

LAME.

[Andrew @ Oct 6th 2008 7:05PM]

Time to start enforcing HTML validations on this site. You MUST close your tags. In the example above, /sarcasm end tag was not used, therefore that post is non-compliant.

[Samo @ Oct 6th 2008 4:59PM]

So what, is this the product they've released some MONTHS back as an Advent 4211 in the UK (rebranded).

I thought this WAS already released???? Or did I miss something out here?

[Matt @ Oct 6th 2008 5:34PM]

You missed something

[John @ Oct 6th 2008 6:29PM]

The MSI Wind was released, but this is the 10"

[Samo @ Oct 6th 2008 6:38PM]

@john: Uhm, my Advent 4211 is a 10", or at least close enough that it doesn't matter (9.9"? 9.8"?).

the only spec difference i can see is the bigger HDD, up from 80Gb to 120Gb.

So I'll ask again; what's the difference, if any? Or are the just "releasing" it again?

[Matt @ Oct 6th 2008 9:00PM]

No difference, just available at Best Buy now. Isn't that exciting?

[huh @ Oct 6th 2008 5:01PM]

These things are totally missing their calling with less than all-day battery life.

[maveric101 @ Oct 6th 2008 9:55PM]

i want a netbook that has a 6 cell standard that doesn't stick out the bottom like all the others.

[bob sakamano @ Oct 6th 2008 5:03PM]

how do these things play video (youtube?)

that question also to the inspiron mini 9

[Sukhminder @ Oct 6th 2008 5:12PM]

They play videos well. (I have an Asus 1000H, so I'm guessing comparable performance).

[Jeff @ Oct 6th 2008 5:12PM]

1) Open web browser
2) Visit www.youtube.com
3) Watch Video
4) ???
5) Profit

[sn4p @ Oct 6th 2008 5:04PM]

Anyone have a SKU?

[Matt @ Oct 6th 2008 5:06PM]

I'm betting this thing will be a BF special for $199, but only a minimum of 5.

[ishism @ Oct 6th 2008 10:52PM]

I love BF deals. That's when I plan on getting a netbook and a couple TB HDDs.

[zoopthegame @ Oct 6th 2008 5:07PM]

Finally, I can purchase OS X netbook at Best Buy instead of ordering OS X from the MSI website.

[SamS @ Oct 6th 2008 5:13PM]

Product Replacement Plans???? For laptops they offer Product Service Plans, but they recently changed it to their Geek Squad Black Tie Protection Plan (GSBTP)
Much more expensive but it covers accidental damage, at least.

----Wonder if they're gonna be offering it in all colors.

[Phoenix987 @ Oct 6th 2008 5:33PM]

Read the article? Black and White only...

[linuxamp @ Oct 6th 2008 5:55PM]

Racist </sarcasm>

[Cesar @ Oct 6th 2008 8:12PM]

They are now Black Tie Protection Plans, but they are only $20 more than they used to be and they now cover more, but they have always covered accidental damage, if you get the right one

[Abbey @ Oct 7th 2008 10:36AM]

Way to go BestBuy, getting a product that has been out for eons at other retailers.

http://www.jr.com/msi-microstar/pe/MSR_U100016US/

[)law( @ Oct 6th 2008 5:29PM]

What it needs to do if its going to blow in to best buy is blow out the best buy incompetance...

[Tim @ Oct 6th 2008 5:30PM]

10"WSVGA (1024×600) LED

typo?

[RikF @ Oct 6th 2008 5:33PM]

Don't think so

[Ian @ Oct 6th 2008 5:56PM]

Its LED backlit, 10" and 1024x600... wheres the typo?

[Matt @ Oct 6th 2008 9:02PM]

I believe he thought it was meant to say LCD, but he didn't realize that it was an LED backlit display.

[tym @ Oct 6th 2008 5:37PM]

feel like an idiot for buying this for 500 bucks when it came out

[Reader @ Oct 6th 2008 6:10PM]

That happens with all tech. Wait another year and it'll be even cheaper...

[Luke D @ Oct 6th 2008 6:15PM]

Look on the bright side, you could've been a buyer of the $600 iPhone....

Or were you?!

[brian @ Oct 7th 2008 9:22AM]

@luked

I was.......lol well at least I got a 16gb iphone not an 8 for that price ($550 and change). I did buy it knowing that the 3g was probably just months away so it's not like I was taken, I went willingly.

[SloppyJoe @ Oct 6th 2008 5:59PM]

3 Cell? that defeats the purpose of being small and light if it can only last max of 2 hours on one charge

[Joshua Walters @ Oct 6th 2008 6:01PM]

If only I had money....

[lwatcdr @ Oct 6th 2008 6:01PM]

How about 349 with Linux?
I just don't have any use for XP on one of these.

[digitallysick @ Oct 6th 2008 6:02PM]

I have the same msi wind, its a great machine but that battery sucks so bad. It lives on the charger, that being said, OSX86 leopard runs on it perfect for the most part. Which is the only reason i have it, sound, and bluetooth and the camera are supported, wifi support is coming , for now you can change out the card with a dell truemobile 1500 wireless N , and its supported under leopard (plus you have wireless N vs the wireless g it came with) I bought my laptop in asia, but mine came with a 160gb hard drive and 2gb of ram

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 6th 2008 6:12PM]

Worse review of all netbooks....why not push them more.

[JT @ Oct 6th 2008 6:13PM]

That awfully looks like the black macbook.

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 6th 2008 11:32PM]

The bad points:
1. No Bluetooth
2. Only 1 Gig RAM
3. No Ethernet
4. 3 cell battery
5. No HSUPA

This makes me go for a EeePC 901 with HSUPA !

[Pete @ Oct 7th 2008 3:15AM]

It's got Bluestooth, you can fit 2Gig of RAM & it's got ethernet. It would be nice to have mobile broadband but not many do yet and it's true that the 3 cell battery sucks. 6 or 9 cell will be available soon.

[Luke D @ Oct 6th 2008 6:18PM]

The profit is a lie! The profit is a lie!

[Ian @ Oct 6th 2008 6:30PM]

6-cell battery, or don't bother coming to the game.

[Richie @ Oct 7th 2008 1:31AM]

They need to take a chill pill so it up and get back in the game or rush in, but they'll feel kinda strange. Because 3 cell is so tame get a 6 cell ya lames.

[AC @ Oct 6th 2008 6:32PM]

3cell battery? no thanks.

[jazz1 @ Oct 6th 2008 6:49PM]

Cheaper than the Dell Mini 9 I ordered. Real HD, larger screen. Hmmmmmm....but battery seems weak. If this thing runs OSX that is all the sweeter.

[Brian @ Oct 6th 2008 7:01PM]

Wewt!

I'm heading to Best Buy, tonight. If they have them instock, I'm canceling my Lenovo S10 pre-order.

[Muhammad-Oli @ Oct 6th 2008 7:01PM]

Can someone tell me, who is MSI? I never ever heard of them until I started reading engadget, and I don't think that brand sells here at all. Are they a good brand? Are they new to the game or what? And while I'm at it, I may as well ask the same about Lenovo too. They sell here, but I thought they were a seriously bad brand because of their name.

[telepheedian @ Oct 6th 2008 7:06PM]

Lenovo=used to be IBM, pretty solid.

MSI=can't comment personally, but I'm thinking it's similar to asus, although I heard they went from using high-quality parts to lower quality parts after the Wind was reviewed by most places.

[Ken @ Oct 6th 2008 7:33PM]

Lenovo is the original design manufacturer for the old IBM Thinkpads. Lenovo bought the Thinkpad brand from IBM and continues to sell their product with the Thinkpad brand. Lenovo's market share is HUGE. They are the world's fourth largest computer manufacturer. Old timers might remember Lenovo as Legend or QDI brand.

MSI aka Micro Star International has been around for a LONG time and have been a major supplier of the brands you are more familiar with. MSI's components are of high quality & performance. They are like Asus. Been around a long time and have a good reputation and large market share.