MSI outs full specs of X-Slim X320 / X340 and Wind U123
By Darren Murph 
posted April 1st 2009 9:00AM
posted April 1st 2009 9:00AM
MSI US RELEASES FULL SPECS ON THE NEWEST WIND AND THE X ULTRA-SLIM SERIES NOTEBOOKS
New Wind offers options of the 3G/WiMAX solution, TV tuner, and EasyFace Security Identification Software
X340 feature the HD LCD and is among first notebooks to utilize Intel's CULV CPU
MSI Notebook will be on display during CTIA in Las Vegas at the Mobile Focus Event at Caesars Palace
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – April 1st, 2009 – MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is excited to release the full specifications of the new Wind U123 and the X320 & X340 X-Slim Notebooks. The new Wind model is MSI's first to offer a 3G solution and a TV Tuner, and features the powerful new Intel® Atom™ 1.66 GHz N280 processor.
Like its award winning predecessors, the Wind U123 offers users an ergonomically designed keyboard and touch pad for comfortable typing and an enlarged 10.2" LCD display perfect for browsing without squinting. MSI also included EasyFace identification software to protect confidential data and for the first time is offering the Wind in blue and red in addition to the standard white and gray colored models.
The X-Slim series notebooks weigh just 2.8 lbs, but come loaded with the most storage space and the largest battery (4-Cell) in their class. The X340 is among the first notebooks to feature the new Intel® CULV CPU, which uses 1/6th the power of a regular mobile CPU, significantly increasing performance-per-watt over previous single-core processors. The notebook also features a HD 16:9 Theater Display LCD with 1366x768 resolution and a HDMI port for 1080P playback for under $1000.
Starting at just $700, MSI chose to outfit the X320 the new Intel® Atom® Z530 1.6GHz processor and an optional 3G/WiMAX solution for unmatched connectivity. In addition to its superb specifications and outstanding performance, the X-Slim Series notebooks' aesthetics place it in a class by itself. Its classic exterior and clean design are available in Silver, White and a stylish Black.
FULL SPECIFICATIONS BELOW
Both the new Wind U123 models and the X-Slim Series notebooks will be available in the US this May at www.msimobile.com and select e-tailers and retail outlets.
slim, better resolution, not a bad move.
$700 for an Atom based notebook? Christ man, I can get a shitty Dell for just over hafl of that and have TWICE the horsepower. I understand we pay a price for slim form factors and a little more battery life, but this is a rip.
So choose a different one - as many on here are fond of pointing out, it's not like there is a lack of choice.
I agree. When they start going beyond the $500 dollar barrier, you might as well look at a 15" notebook instead. Better specs, more of everything, not much bigger in size or weight either.
Sub $500 is where Netbooks need to stay.
i wouldnt consider 13.3inch a netbook. anything over 10inch aint even a netbook
I totally agree I would not pay more than $500 for it! Anything more and you are just throwing your money away in my opinion.
www.heatlhcareer-agents.com
i can see the X340 to be very promising.....
Twice the horsepower, 3 times the weight, and 1/4th the battery life? Go with the Dell I say.
That's nice. Where's the U115?
shame by time the slim hits the uk it will be about £900
I have an MSI Wind U10 and like it, but forgive it's sub-par fit and finish because it was $300... At $1,000 why wouldn't I just get a refurb macbook air?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB003LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw
X320
Processor - Atom Z530 - FAIL
Weight - 2.8 lbs - WIN
Height - 0.7" - WIN
Graphics - GMA500 - WIN
Hard Drive - 250gb - WIN
WLAN - 802.11n - tie
USB Ports - 3 - WIN
Resolution - 1366x768 - WIN?
Card Reader - WIN
Optional 3G - WIN
MacBook Air
Processor - 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - WIN
Weight - 3 lbs - FAIL
Height - 0.76" - FAIL
Graphics - X3100 - FAIL
Hard Drive - 80gb - FAIL
WLAN - 802.11n - tie
USB Port - 1 - EPIC FAIL
Resolution - 1280x800 - WIN?
@rcarm good comparison, however one should note that this is a 1st gen MBA. 2nd gen smokes the wind on graphics and even more on processor power.
Also you'd need to check size and weight of the X320/340 with the 8 cell battery.
Anyway, the 340 really looks great and it even has a HDMI port. I'd never buy a laptop with VGA port only. VGA = FAIL.
Mostly because it's not new, and the only advantage is the processor (not debating the OS choice, that's personal for you). Obviously there are differences in build quality, but I would prefer to wait til the x320/340 is released before comparing those.
I think MSI is blurring the lines between netbook and notebook, which is a good thing - more choices. I would like netbook specs on a larger notebook than 10", which doesn't work for me with the touchpad/screen/keyboard size. But I also want extended battery life, which the CULV platform should provide. Along with a backlit LCD and HDMI (and more ports than the MBA), it's a nice package, although steep at $1000 for the 340.
The Air would be competing with the x340 not the x320. The 320 is an atom, the 340 is a real cpu (though I'm mildly bummed it's single core).
The thing left off that comparison is that the air is what $1700 vs the $1000 for the x340?
The other spec that isn't there is the video card which I think the 2nd gen air wins considerably with.
I'm really excited about the x340 as I need a small light laptop I can carry at all times with another laptop (limited work pc). I'd get a netbook if the resolution wasn't so completely debilitating. Now that I think about it, I wonder if the x320 is worth it's price compared to the Dell Mini 10 which now has the same screen resolution for $440 (I think).
Why is it always a compromise... even when they get the specs perfect it's always more expensive haha.
@nikster
I wouldn't say the x3100 smokes the gma500
That is like comparing a 1976 Chevy Chevette to a 1985 Yugo GV, they both suck and neither are worth getting
GMA 500 at least has the wattage advantage. The X3100 is a good bit faster for 3d, but not by enough to make it workable for actually doing any gaming with, and it sucks a _lot_ more power than the GMA 500. The 4500, being on a 65nm process, is able to deliver >1.5x the performance of the X3100 (at least 6x as fast as the GMA 500) while being less power-hungry.
I'm not buying a netbook until the Windows 7 upgrade program starts.
come on msi,$100 for a netbook. We know only 2 companies van get away with that sony n apple. Its still an msi, sorry but this will fail in the sales category.,.,.,nice try.Hellloooooooooooooo u can get get a refurbished mac air for $949 with a year full warranty..
oops.,.,come on msi,$1000 for a netbook. We know only 2 companies van get away with that sony n apple. Its still an msi, sorry but this will fail in the sales category.,.,.,nice try.Hellloooooooooooooo u can get get a refurbished mac air for $949 with a year full warranty..
MBA isn't a netbook and neither is the x340 and x320. I would say most people agree that 10" and smaller are netbooks.
Bugger. Intel GMA 500 / 4500 Graphics Chip = No OSX86 on this machine, that is, unless someone codes a driver from scratch.
And no Ubuntu either (only netbook remix 8.04 will work).
These look great..... until you get to the fact that they are still operating on Windows-based systems, slower processors, and outdated, tiny resolutions. These machines are DESIGNED with the mobile professional in mind and NOT as a primary computing solution. THESE ARE ACCESSORY COMPUTERS.
Macbook Air:
Processor - 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - Easily more powerful
Weight - 3 lbs - Impossible to physically feel the difference from 2.8 lbs
Height - 0.76" - Impossible to tell difference from 0.7"
Graphics - X3100 - Trumps the GMA500, especially being utilized by OS X.
Hard Drive - 80gb - Average user ONLY uses up to 50GB of hard drive space.
WLAN - 802.11n - Boss. 3G is fail.
USB Port - 1 - What else do you use beyond a thumb drive? Get a USB-hub. USB port on the Air is nearly twice as powerful FSBus.
Card Reader - Do you use one? Honestly? Get an external.
Resolution - 1280x800 - Seriously better.
MiniDisplay Port - OS X integrated flawlessly with external monitors and projectors.
My career depends on it. It works better than anything.
Why does it have to be an accessory? Why can't it be your main computer?
This is such a joke, first of all that price is completely insane for an atom processor, theyre going to get a load of returns for this piece of crap when people find out how slow it is. Plus netbook makers need to realize that a significant amount of customers are buying them to load up OS X, and using hardware that isnt friendly to OSx86 is just plain stupid. I really cant imagine what was going on in the meeting when they priced this thing.
So does the more expensive x340 not come with 3g option or am I reading this wrong?
i want to buy a x-slim x340 laptop , can you tell me when do you have it .
no