facebook rss twitter

Confirmed: MSI's Wind is atom-powered

by Parm Mann on 15 May 2008, 12:16

Tags: Wind U100, MSI

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qam75

Add to My Vault: x

We've been keen to hear more about MSI's low-cost Eee-alternative, the Wind notebook, ever since it was announced back in April.

Thankfully, we've now got some more info and we can finally confirm that yes, the Wind will be packing a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, namely the Z530 with a 533MHz FSB, 512K L2 cache and 2.0W TDP.

As we already know, a 2.5in hard drive provides 80GiB of storage and there's a choice of display size; an 8.9in or 10in LCD, both of which will provide a 1,024 x 600 resolution.

According to laptopmag.com, the notebook, available with a choice of Linux or Windows XP, carries the following specification:

  Linux version Windows XP version
CPU 1.6GHz Intel Atom 1.6GHz Intel Atom
Operating System Novell SUSE Windows XP Home Edition
Chipset 945GMS+ ICH7-M 945GMS+ ICH7-M
Display 10-inch/ 1024×600 10-inch/ 1024×600
Hard Disk Drive 80GB / 2.5” SATA 80GB / 2.5” SATA
VGA UMA UMA
Memory 512MB DDR2/ 667MHz 1GB DDR2/ 667MHz
Card Reader 4-in-1 (SD,MMC,MS, MS Pro) 4-in-1 (SD,MMC,MS, MS Pro)
USB Ports 3 3
Mic-in/Headphone Yes Yes
Webcam 1.3 MP 1.3 MP
WLAM 802.11b/g 802.11b/g
Bluetooth No Yes
Battery Three Cells / 2.5 hrs Six Cells / 5.5 hrs
Dimensions 10.23 x 7.08 x 0.748 inches 10.23 x 7.08 x 0.748-inches
Weight 2.3 lbs 2.6 lbs


Curiously, the Linux version lacks Bluetooth, has less RAM and a smaller battery than its Windows XP neighbour. Though, it does save 0.3 lbs in weight.

Online retailer, expansys.com, already has MSI's Wind available for pre-order, with stock expected on or around June 21st. Though prices could yet change, the 10in Linux model is available at £334.95, and the 10in XP model at £364.96.

There's no sign of the 8.9in models yet, but if Expansys' pricing is correct, the smaller-screen Wind notebooks could dip below the £300 mark. Now that MSI's Wind looks set to be the first low-cost Atom-powered notebook to hit the market, expect ASUS to be hurrying the arrival of its Atom-powered Eee.



HEXUS Forums :: 6 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Ooo looks to be an EeePC beater; better battery life, 80GB storage, bluetooth - me wanty!
what happened to the flash storage? I thought there was going to be an option for this. I was looking forward to the MSI Wind but wanted to remove any mechanical points of failure and have a laptop that could take a few knocks along the way.

Also bit of a joke they have removed the Bluetooth from the Linux version…:surprised:
slypie
Also bit of a joke they have removed the Bluetooth from the Linux version…:surprised:

I'd say the half size battery is a bigger deal. 2.5 vs 5.5 hours is huge.
slypie
Also bit of a joke they have removed the Bluetooth from the Linux version…:surprised:
My guess is that the hardware is still there, but that it was left out of the spec due to driver issues, probably the lack of a polished userland GUI application for file transfers & the like.

awm
I'd say the half size battery is a bigger deal. 2.5 vs 5.5 hours is huge.
You could always buy the Windows version and then get a windows refund. That is, when you first turn it on, and the EULA pops up, and it tells you that if you don't accept the EULA, you can get a refund on the cost of windows. If it works, it should bring the cost down below that of the Linux version, but without the crippled spec.
Is anyone else having problems with finding the preorder? I'm leaving for a trip on the 16th. Anyone know if there's a possbility that stock might come in sooner?