I finally got my MSI Wind on Thursday. Since then, I have been busy setting it up and installing all the necessary software. I’m not going to do a full review on this, as it has been done before by millions of other MSI Wind users. But I’m going to share some fun facts of the MSI Wind:

• MSI Wind is very light. Much lighter than any notebooks.
• It runs cool and quiet.
• The LCD screen is very bright, brighter than my old Sony Vaio laptop.
• Screen size is adequate for watching videos, browsing the internet, photos editing, and doing some work.
• It is not as underpowered as many has claimed.
• It runs Visual Studio 2008 express and SQL Server 2008 Express with no performance issue.
• 1 GB of ram it comes with is sufficient. You can upgrade to 2 GB, but upgrading will void your warranty.
• The keyboard size (92% of the standard size) is good. Have no problem typing with the keyboard.
• One complain with the keyboard, they shouldn’t have switched the left Ctrl key with the Fn key, it’s annoying.
• Track pad area is too small, and the button feels cheap.
• The speakers suck. Get yourself a good pair of earphones. 
• Battery will last around 3 hours and 30 minutes on full brightness. On acceptable brightness it will run for 4 hours 30 minutes.
• Last fun fact: This little thing is AWESOME. :)

RWendi

I finally decided to get MSI Wind U100. I wanted to get Dell Insipiron Mini 10 (as mentioned here), but after seeing the initial specs of the netbook, I have to say “No, Thank You!”. Yes, the initial spec is really that bad. Most of the cool promised features, such as: 720p resolution, built-in GPS and built in TV tuner, are not in the initial specs. Lets compare the specs between MSI Wind U100 and Dell Inspiron Mini 10 (NOTE: red color denotes better spec):

The Mini 10 only has few advantages, which are: a more efficient CPU, and bigger Hard Disk. Even though it comes with a more efficient CPU, it only comes with 3 cells battery, which means nothing in comparison to the MSI Wind 6 cells battery. As a general rule of thumb when it comes to Netbook batteries, 1 cell = 45 minutes – 1 hour of usage time. Thus, the Mini 10 will probably give 2-3 hours of usage time, on the other hand the MSI Wind will give 4.5-6 hours of usage time. Moreover with MSI wind, you can actually purchase an after-market 9 cells battery, which is rumored to give MSI Wind a massive 7.5-10 hours of usage.

The lacks of Wireless N support really hurt Dell Mini 10, but the biggest bummer of the Mini 10 would be the RAM. It comes with the same 1GB of RAM, but its not upgradeable. The RAM is fixed, soldered to the motherboard (WTF!). This does not make sense at all, Dell should really fire the idiot who made that decision.

With much cheaper price and a lot better specs, MSI Wind is a clear winner. I wanted to wait for the new Asus EEE PC 1000HE, which comes with the new Intel N280 CPU and the new HD Capable Intel GN40 chipset, but Im running out of time. Im going to Japan next week and I want to bring a Netbook with me. Im going to get the MSI Wind this week, it’s gonna be Awesome!

RWendi

As I have mention before, I had a christmas wish list of a getting a nettop, MSI Wind in particular. I decided not to get it because it lacks of built in mobile broadband(very important), the latest generation of Intel Atom CPU (important), built in CD-ROM(not so important but good to have). Im still in the market of gettin a nettop, but there is just no good options available at the moment. In case you haven't notice, the current generation of nettops pretty much offer the same specs. Intel Atom N270, 9-10 inch screen, 1 Gb Ram (upgradeable to 2Gb but will void your warranty if done by yourself), 3 cell battery, and wireless BG. Regardless what model you choose (MSI Wind, Asus Eeepc, Dell Mini 9, etc), the only variations you might get is 6 cell battery and wirelss N.

In CES 2009, which was held in Las Vegas, Dell and MSI introduced new nettop models. MSI introduced the MSI Wind U115 Hybrid nettop and Dell introduced Inspiron Mini 10. From the pictures I've seen on the web, MSI Wind U115 looks very similar, if not the same as MSI Wind 100. Comparing the specs of the U115 with U100, the new version sports Intel Atom N530 and Hybrid storage system. Hybrid storage system basically means the nettop has both SSD and Harddisk install in it. The idea behind this is to put the operating system in the high speed SSD for better performance. Very interesting concept, especially for a nettop (even laptops never had this kind of storage before). And since SSD doesn't weight much, this should not add much to the nettop total weight.

Now for the Dell Mini 10, it has some interesting features that you've never found in a nettop before. Appart from the usual Intel Atom Z530, wireless b/g/n, and built in mobile broadband, it sports the following features:

• 720p 10 inch LCD screen (16:9 ratio, 1280x720): better view when watching movies
• Built-in TV Tuner: well you can watch TV programs
• Multi-touch and Gesture touchpad: mac-like gesture?
• Built-in GPS: handy for road warriors

I have to admit the first three features sounds very appealing especially the touchpad (assuming if it works well). As I said earlier the lacks of built-in mobile really put me off buying the MSI Wind U100, but this Dell Mini 10 really fills in the gap (except for the CD-ROM bit). Now you can say that Dell Mini 9 has a version with built-in 3G, but the problem is that it is not available here in Australia. Moreover, I HATE 9 inch nettops. Why? Because small screen and cramped up keyboard sucks. If this beauty doesn't cost more than $AU 800, I will definately buy it. Can only hope it comes out before my trip to Japan.

RWendi