Eee PC - Blog

As promised MSI has started shipping its Eee PC 901 rival, the MSI Wind. Stocks of the MSI Wind started showing up on various US online stores including Amazon, Newegg, Buy.com (sold out) and Frys. Amazon is listing the price of the MSI Wind at $499.99 and available only in Black color design.

But wait, before you order your MSI Wind, you ought to know that the current units being sold don’t come with the 6-cell battery but the 3-cell battery instead. We already told you before that the MSI Wind was having problems with regards to the supply of the 6-cell battery prompting them to delay the release of the MSI Wind. MSI promise to ship a separate 6-cell battery package in September though. Interestingly, MSI Wind had it listed with a 6-cell battery pack. Unfortunately it is already sold out as well.

In addition, the currently available MSI Wind models come with the Windows XP version only. The Linux-powered model will also ship sometime in September.

Via [Electronista]

For those in Japan who are keen on getting the MSI Wind. It will be released by Mouse Computer next month but don’t go out looking for MSI Wind as you might not find it. Mouse Computer of Japan is releasing the MSI Wind U100 as the LuvBook U100. It’s a good thing that Mouse Computer decided to retain the U100. At least you can asked for it around Japan with the name U100.

The MSI Wind U100 or LuvBook U100 will come with features as published previously; a 10.2-inch LCD screen in WSVGA resolution (1024×600), a 1GB of RAM, 80GB of SATA HDD, Intel ATOM N270 CPU (1.60 GHz), Intel 945GMS+ICH7M chipset, WIFI b/g, 1.3 megapixel webcamera and Bluetooth 2.0.

SRP - around $551.

Via Akihabara News

MSI Wind was supposed to come out today in the US but for no apparent reason, MSI Wind decided to delay its release until July 7. In the meantime, we also heard that the Eee PC 901 is about to get its US release on July 8. Whether this is coincidental or MSI intentionally delayed the release of the Wind U100, the fact still remains that this two netbooks are about to clash head on, and that the inevitable is about to happen - Asus will no longer dominate the ultraportable low-cost PC department.

Of course, we must also remind you that the MSI wind will be cheaper by $200 than the Eee PC 901. But, the Eee PC 901 will have a better 6-cell battery than the MSI Wind which would only come with the 3-cell battery model.

So, whose side are you on? If you are to get yourself an ULPC on July, which one would you choose?

Via [Liliputing]

If the Medion Akoya Netbook looks so familiar to you, well that’s because it’s the same MSI Wind U100 that we all know about. German discout retail gian Aldi is already advertising the MSI Wind 100 which is to be available on July 3rd, a few days after its delayed US release on june 27th.

But if you’re planning to get in Germany, be sure to look for Medion Akoya Netbook as it will not be carrying the MSI Wind branding in the said country. Anyway, the specs, looks and features are still the same as the publicized MSI Wind 100 though.

So, you’d still get the following basic features such as a 10-inch LED backlit screen, 80GB HDD, Intel Atom CPU, Windwos XP OS among other features of the MSI Wind U100. What is not clear though is whether the Medion Akoya would have a 6 cell battery or the smaller 3 cells battery pack.

SRP for the said netbook is around $619 (after conversion).

Via Heisse

Via I4U News

Looks like those who have been anticipating the release of the MSI Wind will have to wait for a couple of weeks more to finally lay their hands on the new netbook from MSI. Reports had it that the planned US release which was supposed to be yesterday won’t push through in favor of a June 29 release.

MSI says the reason for the release is the shortage of battery. Hence, the MSI Wind units which will be coming out on the 29th will only have the 3 cell batteries instead of the originally planned 6 cell batteries. But the good news, if it will call it good at all, is that the MSI Wind will have a lower SRP of $479.99 as opposed to the previously announced SRP of $499.99. Good or bad, it depends on how you see it.

Nonetheless, MSI promise to release an update of the MSI Wind with 6 cell batteries sometime in July. If you can’t wait that long, you may consider buying one of the units which will be release on the 29th. But we really suggest that you wait until the new units come out in July.

Come to think of it, why would MSI opt to release a lower-end model now? Why not wait until the 6 cell batteries become available?

Via [I4U News]

Just at the same time as Asustek has officially announced new Eee PC 901 and Eee PC 1000 series, MSI officially announces MSI Wind, another decent Eee PC competitor.

Just to remind you that this 10 incher features Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, an 80GB 2.5 inch disk, Bluetooth and 802.11b/g WiFi, 5.5 hour battery and option to choose between Windows XP Home or Linux based system.

The most challenging fact is the price, $399 for a Linux-based system or $499 for Windows based version makes the $625 price of the new Eee PC 1000(H) pretty tough to justify.

It looks like MSI doesn’t want to be outdone by the buzz created by Asustek’s upcoming plans for the upcoming Computex Event next week. We already know that Asustek will be launching its Eee PC 901 and the EBox and possibly the Eee PC 1000 courtesy of a leaked information coming straight from Asustek’s invitation to guests during the Computex.

Now, it’s MSI’s turn to create some buzz on what they are planning to unveil during the Computex.

First MSI will launch a Windows XP version of the 10-inch MSI Wind in take note, 3 different colors - black, white and pink. And it would even feature two different battery configurations - a six cell pack that would run for six hours and a three-cell battery pack. The MSI Wind with six-cell pack will sell for $620 while the one with MSI Wind with 3-cell battery will sell for NT17,900.

And here’s the biggie - to compete with the Ebox, MSI is planning to release the Wind PC which will be priced at a low $250 without an LCD monitor.

Another biggie - MSI Wind will also have a smaller screen version at 8.9 inch and this will be available sometime in July or August.

Indeed, these give us more reason to get excited about the coming Computex

Japanese Impress benchmarked latest MSI Wind PC and compared the performance with the other most popular mini laptops on the market.

Main test was performance of the Intel’s Atom processors with typical ULV Core 2 Duo found in ASUS Eee PC models and Sony Vaio VGN-TZ90S with Intel Core 2 Duo ULV U7600.

Leaving aside the performance of integrated graphics and storage, clearly influenced by the type of hard disk or SSD installed, it is curious to note how Atom Z520 from 1.33GHz is unable to compete against the Celeron M 353 from 900MHz Asus Eee PC 900. via [Impress]

Laptopmag has published a interview with MSI’s Director of US Sales Andy Tung about MSI Wind. Here is the most important information he gave:

• Will be released in a 8.9 & 10-inch version.
• Only the 10-inch version will be released in the US.
• Sales starting June 3rd.
• Will be available in four different colors, black, white, silver, and pink.
• 6 hours of battery life!
• Will be sold in one Linux version and one XP version.
• The Linux version will have 512MB Ram and a 80 GB HDD and will have a retail price of 399$.
• The XP version will have 1 GB Ram, Bluetooth and a 80 GB HDD and will have a retail price of 549$.

Read the whole interview and see alot of pictures at Laptopmag.

MSI’s take on the ultraportable market is now available for pre-order at Expansys.com. The 10-inch MSI Wind retails for $560 which is a few dollars more than the Asus Eee PC 900’s  SRP of $549.99. Does it match up to the Asus Eee PC’s features or even better? Here’s what you’ll get for $560:

• 10″ LCD (1024×600) LED Display
• 945GMS+ICHS-M Chipset
• 1.3mp webcam
• Atom 1.6G CPU
• 1GB memory
• 80G hdd
• WLAN
• Bluetooth
• Windows XP OS
• 3 cells battery
• Protective Bag

It look like, you’ll get more value for your money with the MSI Wind, especially its Atom-powered CPU. But then, if you have the Asus Eee PC 700, and want to have an ultraportable powered by Atom CPU, you might as well wait for the Eee PC’s version, right? That is, if you are an Eee PC fanatic.