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MSI's X-Slim X340 becomes a little chubbier, a little cheaper, and a little better
You might think that making a super-skinny laptop like the MSI X-Slim X340 wider would necessarily be a bad move, but when that extra girth more than doubles the battery life to a whopping 8:48, it's a trade-off many will make. Extra bonuses include a keyboard that won't bow under the pressure of your more expletive-filled rants and an MSRP $100 cheaper than the $899 it launched at. Given the older, four-cell model is already shipping at well under that ($749 at most major electronics retailers) we're eager to see just how much of a better bargain this already excellent deal can become. Oh, and if you're one of the folks already slinging one of these around wherever you go, you can get in on the eight-cell battery bandwagon for $99, but will just have to make do with that bouncy keyboard.
How would you change MSI's X-Slim ultraportable line?
MSI's seductive X-Slim lineup first dropped jaws back at CeBIT, and it's been tempting PC addicts ever since hitting the market a few months back. Many have argued that the X-Slim family looks just a bit too much like that other ultraslim lappie over there, but we'd say these are distinct enough to walk their own path. Catering to a wide range of potential customers, MSI has actually issued quite a few of these machines, from the X320 to the X340 to the X600. If you've been fortunate enough to pick one of these up for yourself, how has the user experience been? Is it as much a looker in person as you thought it'd be? Are you satisfied with performance? Anything missing for the price? Go on and get heard, won't you?
MSI's X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99
It's hard to say if our harmless threats influenced the MSRP here, but either way, we'll take it. MSI has finally (finally!) come clean with a set price on its succulent X-Slim X340, and while we heard through the grapevine awhile back that it would ship here for under a grand, we definitely had our doubts. Starting today, eager consumers can order one for the low, low price of $899.99, which buys you an Intel ULV SU3500 processor, Vista Home Premium, a 13.4-inch 1,366 x 768 resolution display, GMA 4500MHD graphics and 2GB of DDR2 RAM. There's also a 320GB hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, 4-cell battery (an 8-cell is optional), 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, twin USB 2.0 sockets, VGA / HDMI outputs and an SD / MMC card reader. The 0.78-inches thick machine is shipping today in the US of A from a bevy of e-tailers, and you can peek the full release just after the break.Update: Looks like some e-tailers even have it at $799. Nice!
MSI's X-Slim X340 vs. X400 vs. X600 CULV laptops... Fight!
The big Computex show in Taipei is just a few weeks away and that means laptops, tons and tons of laptops. Specifically, CULV thin-and-light laptops that Intel's hoard of dutiful manufacturers have positioned between netbooks and super-expensive, ultra-portables like the MacBook Air or ThinkPad X301. Engadget Chinese is at the unveiling of MSI's full range of X-Slim laptops. We've already seen the X320/X340 up close, but this is the first time we've received official specs on the 14-inch (1366 x 768) X400 and 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) X600. Both feature Core 2 Solo CULV processors, an HDMI jack, hard disks up to 500GB in capacity, up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, and a 2-in-1 card memory reader. The X600 adds eSATA, options for 6 or 9-cell batteries (compared to the X400's 4 or 8-cells), and bumps the graphics from integrated GMA 4500MHD to ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330. Now we're just waiting for the ship dates and prices which should start at $699 to about $1,100.Update: Official press release says to expect these before June is through.
MSI X-Slim X340 gets reviewed, loved on - despite the 'flexy' keyboard
We've had our eyes on MSI's answer to the MacBook Air (yeah, we said it!) for a while now -- and that includes a shady, late night hands-on photo session live from the Neville Island Motel and a horrifying back-alley vivisection, to boot. Now it looks like the crazy kids at Laptop are dead set on having their say on the X340 13.4-inch ultra-portable -- and why not? The more the merrier! According to the reviewer, what this character lacks in processing power, it more than makes up for in price, weight, and battery life -- at 2.9 pounds the device is certainly lighter than the Air, and its over three hours on a single charge are none too shabby. Even the 1.4GHz Core 2 Solo processor (coupled here with 2GB memory and running Windows Vista) is characterized as "snappy." Sadly, the keyboard is said to be flimsy and graphic performance pretty weak -- but still, at $899 (price as reviewed) this is sure to be right up some of your proverbial alleys. Interested? Hit that read link for all the gory details.
MSI X-Slim X340 gets dissected
They're still pretty hard to come by 'round these parts, but it looks like the folks at UMPC Fever have managed to track down one of MSI's shiny new X-Slim X340 ultraportables and, like any good citizen of the internet, they've promptly gone and ripped it apart. As you might expect, there aren't exactly a ton of surprises, but it looks like anyone hoping to do a quick and easy 3G upgrade is out of luck, unless, as SlashGear points out, they're willing to ditch the built-in WiFi to free up a PCI-E slot. Hit up the read link below for the complete, not always pretty breakdown.[Via Slash Gear]
MSI's X-Slim X340 CULV thin and light bait and switch?
Uh, MSI. The $1,100 price tag you're showing for the X-Slim X340 CULV-based thin-and-light laptop on your retail site is not "under $1,000" as you promised three weeks ago. Then again, maybe you'll slip in a lesser spec'd model by the time the "Out of stock" badge changes to "Shipping?" Know this MSI, we're watching you.[Thanks, Andrew R.]
MSI's CULV-packin' X-Slim X340 ships this month in US
MSI already told us that its ultraslim, super-sexy, WiMAX-ready X-Slim X340 would be starting at right around $1,000, and now we're being told that the planet's first laptop to be based on Intel's CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) platform will be shipping in April. As in, this month. For the forgetful souls in the crowd, this here ultraportable will ship with an SU3500 CULV processor that consumes just 5.5 watts of power and a 4-cell battery. Now, to find a retailer 'round these parts willing to let you pre-order one...
MSI X-Slim X340 photographed, benchmarked in mysterious hotel room
We've seen plenty of photos of MSI's X-Slim X340 floating around as of late -- but these ones -- which were taken in a Las Vegas hotel room at CTIA, are pretty interesting, artistically speaking. More interesting, however, is the fact that the lucky chap from Laptop Magazine also did a little preliminary benchmarking of the laptop as well. He found the display to be quite satisfactory for viewing videos from any angle, though the speakers (housed on the bottom of the system) produced disappointingly weak sound, and that performance-wise, the CULV CPU is speedy enough to run Windows Vista without any hitches. Applications also loaded quickly, and things like multiple browser tabs didn't strain the system either. They're planning on running the full battery of benchmarks at a later date, but hit up the read link for further impressions. Also, there's one more snap after the break.[Via Slashgear]
MSI X-Slim X340 gets showcased on video
Yeah, you've already seen MSI's X-Slim X340 -- which was heavily detailed earlier this morning -- slip out of a white interoffice envelope, but we promise that this video is both more informative and less annoying to the ears. 'Course, it all makes much more sense if you're a native speaker of German, but even if you have absolutely no clue what's being said, we're sure you'll dig the visuals. Per usual, the play button is just past the break.[Thanks, Jeff]
MSI outs full specs of X-Slim X320 / X340 and Wind U123
While MSI has been teasing its Wind U123 and X-Slim X320 / X340 laptops for a little while now, we've yet to see the full specifications for each rig laid out. Until now, of course. Over at CTIA in Vegas, the company is revealing all the dirty details about what makes these May-bound rigs tick, and we're pleased as punch to see a few unexpected inclusions. As for the 10.2-inch U123, you'll find a 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, integrated WWAN and even a built-in TV tuner. As for the X-Slim X340 (starting around $1,000), it's amongst the first to feature Intel's newfangled CULV platform, which sucks down one-sixth the power of a regular mobile CPU. The X320 (starting at $700) gets gifted with a less exciting 1.6GHz Atom Z530, but the optional 3G / WiMAX module definitely makes it altogether enticing for those scouting a continually connected ultraportable. Head on past the break for the full hardware breakdown.
Video: MSI X-Slim X340 emerges from office envelope
We've already seen Lenovo take a swipe at Apple's genius idea to shove its slimmest laptop into an interoffice envelope, and now we're seeing the same type of setup with MSI's X-Slim X340. Thankfully, it appears that MSI itself didn't put the crew at NewGadgets up to the task, and if it did, it should be downright appalled and ashamed by the inexplicable choice of music. In fact, why does an un-enveloping need a background track in the first place? Hit the play button above for a quick laugh, but for all things pure and holy, mute the speakers first.
MSI X-Slim X320, X340 and GT725 hands-on
We knew MSI's newest X-Slim laptops were ultrathin, but it wasn't until we saw 'em in person here at CeBIT that we truly appreciated the design. These are definitely amongst the sexiest laptops we've seen in some time, though it only took a moment for fingerprints to begin marring the previously flawless glossy top. Both were appropriately sturdy and remarkably lightweight, and if these are any sign of where MSI is going with its styling, we can't wait for the future. On that note, we should also mention that we stumbled upon the absolutely gigantic GT725. Granted, that machine is aimed squarely at the gaming crowd, but it just looked unnatural after toying with its fitness-minded siblings just seconds earlier. We went a little crazy with the camera, but feel free to only peek the thumbnails you like.%Gallery-46388%
MSI X-Slim X320 and X340 coming in April
Hint of déjà vu notwithstanding, we're pretty stoked to hear MSI''s ultra-thin X-Slim laptops, the 13.4-inch X320 and X340, are making their way to the retail channels this April. The X320 is sporting a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, while the Intel CULV-equipped X340 will be available in two configurations: a 1.2GHz Celeron M 723 and a 1.4GHz Core 2 Solo SU3500. MSI's Director of U.S. Sales Andy Tung says he expects the trio to run for around $700, $750, and $999, respectively. If that's not enough, two more X340 models are coming in May, in 1.3GHz Core 2 Solo SU2700 and a Core 2 Solo SU9600 options. No word on the 15.6-inch widescreen X600 model, but we're hoping to see it sooner rather than later.
MSI X-Slim X340 hands-on
Engadget Chinese managed to score some face time with MSI's new X-Slim X340 at a pre-CeBIT press event today, and we're seriously impressed -- just like the Atom-based X320, the X340 weighs just 2.8 pounds with a four-cell battery and 1366 x 768 13.4-inch screen, but it's got more horsepower with a ULV Penryn chip and GMA4500 graphics with HDMI out. Not bad, especially if this thing comes in under $1000 like we've heard -- we'll keep an eye out while you check out the rest of the pics in the gallery.%Gallery-45692%
MSI unveils new X-Slim models ahead of CeBIT
We certainly aren't tired of the X-Slim 320 laptop from MSI, with its Air-like form-factor in less expensive and slightly more practical packaging -- it's still many moons away from release, after all. Despite that, MSI felt the need to announce two new models to round out the still unreleased lineup: the 13.4-inch X340 and 15.6-inch X600. We don't know much about these two yet except that the X340 is slated be priced somewhere in the (wide) range of $699-$999 in the US, that both offer HDMI in addition to VGA output, both are Centrino 2-based, and that the X600 even has an eSATA port on top of its two USBs. We'll surely be seeing a lot more of this pair (plus the X320 as well) at CeBIT in just a few weeks, and are hoping that MSI will go ahead and maybe release one before introducing any more.