MSI Wind U100 netbook has just got an upgrade and it’s called Wind U100 Plus. The main improvement on Plus is the processor as the mini laptop now uses Intel Atom N280 (1.66Ghz) CPU instead of the old Atom N270 (1.6Ghz) processor. Moreover, weighs around 2.2 pounds, there’s also support for up to 2GB of DDR2 main memory, a 160GB of hard drive, an Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics engine, a Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and either a 3-cell or 6-cell battery. The rest of its specs are the same as the original U100, including a 10-inch LED backlight display with 1024 x 600 resolution, an integrated 1.3 megapixel web camera module, stereo speakers, a 802.11b/g/n WiFI connectivity, Bluetooth, Ethernet LAN port, three USB ports, a 4-in-1 memory card reader, and VGA output.

MSI Wind U100 netbook will be available in five colors, three from the standard Wind U100 flavours (Imperial Black, Angelic White, and Regal Red), and two additional brand new colors (Rose Champagne and Metallic Blue). No further info on pricing and availability for now.

MSI is going to release the thin-and-light X-Slim X450 laptop which boasts support for Intel’s new CULV (Consumer Ultra-Low Voltage) technology. This technology offers an energy efficient platform thus providing longer battery life than normal notebook. Standard configuration includes a 13.4-inch LED backlight display with 16:9 aspect ratio and 1366 x 768 resolution, an Intel Core 2 Solo processor, an Intel GS45 chipset, an Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics engine, up to 2GB of DDR2 main memory, and up to 500GB of hard drive. No optical disk drive though so you have to purchase separate external DVD / Blu-Ray drive.

Other features include an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam module, a 802.11b/g/n WiFI connectivity, Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, HDMI and VGA outputs, built-in stereo speakers, two USB ports, and 3-in-1 (SD/SDHC/MMC) media card reader. Some selected models will be blessed with embedded WiMAX module as well. At just 6mm thicks, X-Slim X340 comes with either a 4-cell or 8-cell battery, as well as pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium operating system.

Two models are currently available, the X340-023US (white) and X340-021US (black). Both sport an Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 CULV (1.4Ghz, 3MB L2 cache, 800Mhz FSB), a 2GB of RAM, and a 320 of HDD. Price is set at $1,099 for each.

MSI GX403 is a 14.1-inch gaming laptop featuring Intel Centrino 2 platform and nVidia GeForce graphics engine. Weighs around 4.8 pounds (including 6-cell battery), the notebook boasts an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an nVidia GeForce GT 130M graphics engine with 256MB of video memory, up to 4GB of DDR2 main memory, up to 500GB of hard drive, and either a DVD burner or a Blu-Ray optical drive. Its display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 and there’s a host of connectivity options to let you play together with your friends in multiplayer mode, including Gigabit Ethernet LAN and 802.11b/g/n WiFI. Other features include a stereo speakers, an integrated 1.3MP web camera, two USB ports, an eSATA/USB combo port, an ExpressCard slot, a 4-in-1 media card reader, HDMI and VGA outputs, an and optional Bluetooth receiver.

Runs on Windows Vista Home Premium operating system, MSI GX403 notebook also incorporate the company’s proprietary Turbo Drive Engine technology that overclocked the machine in AC power mode, as well as ECO Engine technology that provides better power management. No words on pricing and availability at the moment.

MSI expands their Wind netbook line up with the Wind U123 series. Currently, there are three models in this series — U123, U123H, and U123T; all powered by an Intel Atom N280 (1.66Ghz) processor and Intel 945GSE chipset. Moreover, all of these mini laptops feature a 10-inch LED backlight display with a resolution of 1024 x 600, a 1GB of DDR2 main memory, up to 160GB of hard drive, 4-in-1 media card reader, Ethernet LAN port, stereo speakers, and 802.11b/g/n WiFI connectivity. The rest of their specs are model dependent, such as 1.3 megapixel or 2.0 megapixel webcam module, 3-cell or 6-cell battery, and Bluetooth. Also, both U123 and U123H netbooks come with 3.5G HSDPA mobile broadband support and three USB ports, while U123T has two USB ports and built-in TV tuner. All of them weigh around 2.2 pounds.

According to MSI, the U123 series laptop has a different style than its old brother, U100, which dubbed as a “round and cute” netbook. The U123 series itself features a “sharp and stylish” style which fit perfectly onto young professional office workers market. The series is currently available in several stylish color variants, including pearl white, dolphin gray, midnight blue and silver red.

No words on pricing and availability at the moment.

Folks, here’s the brand new special limited edition Wind U100 laptop from MSI called Vogue. It comes with an artistic pink-colored lid cover and only available 500 units in Japan. However, everything on the inside are the same as the original. Which include, a 1.66Ghz Intel Atom processor, an Intel 945GMS chipset, WiFI, Ethernet LAN, an integrated 1.3MP camera, a 1GB of DDR2 RAM, and three USB ports. Not sure what OS this netbook carries.

For further information, you can check our previous article regarding MSI’s Wind U100 laptop, as well as my personal review for this baby (yeah, I do own it and I love it very much).

I rarely used my laptop’s touch pad. I don’t like it. It’s hard and unconvenient. But if you’re not like me and touch pad is your best friend, you might love what MSI does to their new U120 netbook. Spotted during CES 2009, this mini notebook boasts a lighting touch pad, which is not just looks fashionable, but also helps you find the pad when the lights went off and you still have to finish your document… Furthermore, U120 sports a built-in WiMAX wireless connectivity and an optional 3.5G network (included in U120H model), guarantee a blazing-speed, fast web browsing experience.

Other features include an Intel Atom platform, up to 160GB of hard drive, and 802.11b/g/n WiFI connectivity.

Bravo PX600 is the latest entertainment laptop from MSI. Recently showcased during CES 2009 event in Las Vegas, the notebook sports a range of high-end multimedia features, including a 3.0 megapixel webcam module (the first in the world), a 7.1-channel audio output, and a nice Cinema Pro Technology that enhanced the users audio and video experiences. It also has an elegant real leather design with brushed aluminium thread.

Personally, I like it for having the audio input ports on the left side (see photos below). I have three laptops and all of them have audio inputs on the top side, which make it harder to use microphone or external speakers when I used them in a small table…

A few more pictures below.

I bought MSI Wind U100 couple days ago, to replace my 7-inch Asus Eee PC laptop. Using that compact Eee PC for almost a year made me realize that the 7-inch display is too small for me That’s why I decided to switch into U100 which comes with a larger 10-inch (1024×600) screen. In term of perfomance, U100 obviously beat Eee PC since an Intel Atom N270 CPU is far more superior than Celeron M processor. I’ve also upgraded the memory onto 2GB DDR2 RAM. Moreover, U100 already comes pre-loaded with Windows XP Home operating system, so I don’t have to purchase separate Windows license for this mini laptop.

So far, I really love Wind U100. I used it mostly for mobile (FYI, I wrote this article on the airport by using U100) and its lightweight, easy to carry-around body is totally adorable. It also has built-in Bluetooth connectivity and memory card reader, so I can easily transfer photos taken from my cell phone or digital camera to U100. My one and only disappointment is that its WiFi / wireless LAN connectivity is rather weak (it only supports b/g wireless interface). Sometime it won’t detect nearby hotspot and if it did, I have to wait for at least 15 minutes before its connection become stable. Anyone else encounter the same problem?

Anyway, like many reviews for Wind U100 around the world, I highly recommend this mini laptop. Others maybe cheaper, but add a few bucks, and you’ll get a much better compact machine. Don’t forget to get the optional 6-cell battery as well, as it will give at least 4 hours of usage per full charge (the original configuration comes with a 3-cell battery that lasts for 2.5 hours). When I bought U100, I paid an extra $30, and I received another 1GB memory, doubled the hard disk space (160GB), and that 6-cell battery. Definitely worth the money.

Ready to play game? Well, with any of these three new monster gaming laptops from MSI (GX400, GX630, and GT735), you’ll be ready to play your favourite PC games anytime, anywhere. Let’s start checking the MSI GX400 notebook first. This 14.1-inch Centrino 2-based machine is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and an nVidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics engine. It also boasts a 4GB of DDR2 RAM, up to 500GB of HDD, a DVD burner (or Blu-Ray drive), an integrated webcam module, and a HDMI output.

MSI GX630 laptop comes with almost similar specs than GX400 series. Except that it has a bigger display, 15.4-inch in dimension. The rest are the same, including CPU, video cards, memory, etc.

As for MSI GT735 gaming laptop (picture above), it sports a 17-inch display, an AMD Turion X2 Ultra processor (based on AMD Puma technology), and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD3850 graphics engine.

Other features found on those notebooks include an Intel Turbo Drive Engine technology — enables users to increase the speed of the CPU when the laptop is in AC mode by pushing the turbo button — and ECHO Engine power management function — enables switching among 5 different operation modes – Gaming mode, Movie mode, Presentation mode, Office mode, and power saving Turbo Battery mode.

Unfortunately, no single words on pricing and availability from the company.

Another new Centrino 2-based sub-laptop hits the Japan market. Coming from MSI, this one is called MSI PR201. It is powered by a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor, an Intel GM45 Express chipset, and a 4GB of main memory. Sounds powerful, huh? But wait, to feed your connectivity hunger, the notebook is equipped with a Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, USB slot, and 802.11a/b/g/n WiFI. Last but not least, PR201 comes with a 250GB of HDD, a DVD Multi burner, an integrated 2 megapixel webcam module, a 12.1-inch (1280×800) display, and a HDMI out port.

Weighs 1.8kg, MSI PR201 laptop is retailed for around €1,000.