The integrated graphics which most netbooks come out with are pretty unimpressive, especially considering that their full-size counterparts (read: laptops) that are getting released these days tend to have some sort of dedicated graphics of their own. But in some instances, Intel’s GMA graphics chipset is able to hold its own when it comes to games and HD video, and this was proven in a recent demonstration at a Mobile Dev Camp event in Germany.
Pictured above is Quake III running at an average of about 35 FPS on an external monitor while connected to an MSI Wind U115–running Linux! Moblin Linux, that is. Intel’s Atom Z530 processor and GMA 500 graphics work in tandem for this one, and it’s pretty good work indeed. The same netbook was also demoed with other mobile devices playing HD video rather competently. To see the netbook in fragging action, continue reading for a video after the break. Read the rest of this entry »
It wasn’t long ago, that we reported on MSI discontinuing the hybrid netbook, the MSI Wind U115. Using both an SSD and HDD, Microsoft requested that the company cease production of the netbook, most probably due to Microsoft Windows XP operating limitations. The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is another example, mysteriously removed from the Dell website . When Windows 7 is released, only netbooks with a display of up to 10.2 inches, will be given the cheaper version of Windows 7, while anything above that, while still a netbook, notebook licensing will be charged.
There’s also other netbooks, which due to the licensing limitations from Microsoft are going down and not as successful as they could be. Archos 10 features a 500GB HDD and 2GB, which is above the maximum of 160GB HDD and 1GB of RAM, so the higher spec model is only available with Ubuntu. This is also the case with the Dell Mini 9 with 2GB of RAM, Windows XP can not be run on it, only the 1GB model.
The final netbook which broke Microsoft’s rule, is the Everun Note. From the outside, looks like a typical netbook, 7 inch display. But inside it packs a dual core processor, where as Microsoft view netbooks as having single core CPUs. The netbook is available for $599 but it doesn’t include any operating system, which is where the netbook gets even pricier.
The UK branch of MSI have put their word out on what they will be doing about the ban on XP being installed on Hybrid devices. The MSI Wind U115, which uses SSD and HDD for storage will not be recalled from stores in the UK, but rather, stay on the shelves until the stock is gone.
From the end of July, MSI will stop producing the U115 by request of Microsoft. Whether any more will be produced before then, Richard Stewart, UK Marketing Manager for MSI didn’t specify, except that production will cease at the end of July. So if you haven’t picked the hybrid netbook up yet and it appeals to you, nows the time before it’s too late and becomes a high priced ebay item.
The recently announced MSI Wind U115 Hybrid netbook has already seen a release in China with a UK launch to follow in May. The netbook has also been released to the lucky folks in France and ranges in price from 549 to 559 Euros ($711-$724). Material.net is the most expensive to order the U115 from, with it priced at 559 Euros. At Rue du Commerce you can pick the netbook up for 554 Euros. But the cheapest site to purchase from currently, is Topachat who are selling the hybrid MSI Wind netbook for 549.90 Euros.
All three sites have the netbook in stock and available for shipping. The UK won’t see the release until May and the US is still to receive a release date.
For those of us who are still looking for a netbook that provides all-day computing in one-single charge, the MSI Wind U115 Hybrid netbook might be the answer. Equipped with a 9-cell battery, the Wind U115 was tested by Eee-pc.de through a non-disruptive test where the machine was let to run in idle.
And the result? the MSI Wind U115 was able to last up to 25.04 hours. Now that’s more than one day computing for your folks.
Anyway, another test will be conducted by Eee-pc.de, after fullly recharging the the U115’s battery. This time around the CPU and GPU will be tested. As we await the results, you might want to view these series of videos during the testing of the U115 in idle mode.
For our friends in the UK who have been anticipating the release of the MSI Wind U115, it’s going to be sometime in May and for a hefty price of around $726. If you think that the MSI marketing people are out of their mind releasing the Wind U115 at such a high price, well we got to give credit first to the machine’s features and specs.
Like we reported before the MSI Wind U115 boasts of a whooping 14 hours of battery life. Yeah, that’s the price that you have to pay for longer usage right. In addition, the MSI Wind U115 is the first hybrid MSI netbook. Hybrid being it has both an SSD and HDD storage. To be exact make that 160GB of HDD and 8GB SSD. The good thing about its storage is that you can deactivate the HDD while remaining to use the SDD. That explains why the netbook can max out 12 hours of use.
Other features and specs of the MSI Wind U115 include a 10-inch LCD display, Intel Atom 1.6GHz Z530 processor, US15W chipset, 1GB RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3 MP webcam, USB ports, and 6-cell battery.
So, are you willing to spend $726 for a netbook such as the MSI Wind U115?
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