Averatec’s netbook bears more than just a strong resemblance to the MSI Wind. It is an MSI Wind clone.

Joanna Stern from Laptop Magazine has asked Averatec the question many have been asking about their soon to be released netbook - will it be an MSI Wind clone? Not all that surprisingly, Averatec have stated that yes, it is a MSI Wind clone, it will carry the Averatec branding but is actually just an MSI Wind.

For those who don’t know, the upcoming netbook will have a 10.2 inch display, 120GB hard drive and Atom processor. Averatec are currently thinking of increasing the size of the hard drive to 160GB making it twice as big as the standard 80GB hard drive you get with the MSI Wind.

Via: Liliputing

The MSI Wind U90 is to launch in Europe next week, but won’t be available to the US.

If you’re thinking it looks familar, it’s because it first appeared at Computex a few months ago. You may also be familiar with the U100 which looks practically the same, the differences being that firstly as mentioned, the U90 will not be launched in the US and secondly, the display size is different. The U900 will come with an 8.9 inch whereas the U100 screen is 10.2 inches. The resolution remains the same at 1024 x 600.

As you can see from the above picture, the 8.9 inch screen has been packed into the same chassis as used for the U100, but with a black bezel around the screen. Hopefully this will mean the MSI Wind U90 is cheaper than the U100.
Via: Liliputing

Averatec, who are more well known for producing cheap computers, are the latest to join the world of ultra portable netbooks.

The company’s upcoming netbook will have a 10.2 inch display, 120GB hard drive and Atom processor.  There are tell tale signs looking at the image above that this could just be an MSI Wind, but with different packaging. There is certainly a resemblance between the two netbooks.

We’ll have to wait until further details are released before we know anything for sure but, we should expect to see the first Averatec netbook in stores this Christmas for between $399 and $499.

Via Engadget

MSI USA’s online store has already posted the MSI Wind Netbook Love Edition which we told you about. Like we said, aside from the new design with various heart accent, this edition of the MSI Wind doesn’t offer anything different from the previously released MSI Wind units.

You’ll still get the same specs such as:

• 10-inch WSVGA display
• Windows XP Home OS
• Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz
• Intel GMA950 Graphics
• 1 GB RAM
• 80GB HD
• Ethernet, WiFI, Bluetooth
• 3-cell battery

The MSI Wind Love Edition is listed at $559.99 and MSI still got 128 units left on its stock. So, if you’re keen on getting a netbook while at the same helping poor children in some rural areas. Hurry up and order you MSI Wind with a Heart now.

Via [I4U]

We couldn’t help but commend MSI for coming up with a project that is part charity and part promotional campaign for its Wind Netbook. Because of what it claims as a resounding success of its 10-inch Wind netbook, MSI is giving back the love with the release of the MSI Wind Netbook Love Edition.

The new model of the MSI Wind netbook sports a tan, bright silver and shining gold hearts patter on a pure white chassis which according to MSI conveys a sense of gentle softness as well as the company’s concern for social welfare. The Wind Netbook Love Edition will be designated to support a range of notebook donation programs around the world, most specifically for chilren in the rural and remote areas. This is to help those children in learnin computer skills as well as let them connect to the world through the Internet.

In addition to the Wind Netbook Love Edition, MSI is also launching the “Love with the Wind” Global Charity Program which will take the form of charity donations in Taiwan, China, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Vietnam, the Philippines Indonesia, Korea and India.

No words though as to whether this special edition MSI Wind will be made available for consumer release.

Even though the 6 cell battery version of the MSI Wind was said to be available in September, it looks as though Mwave.com is selling them at $570 - $70 more than what we were promised. This extra increase in the price makes the MSI Wind more expensive than the Eee 1000H ($549.99 at NewEgg) even though they have nearly the same specifications.

Your thoughts?

Via [Liliputing]

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