MSI Introduces Wind, Gets Ready for the UMPC Battle

Micro-Star International has just announced its Wind series of ultra-mobile notebooks, that are alleged to compete on the same low-cost market as Asustek's Eee PC. According to MSI, the Wind will come in either an 8.9- or 10-inch display option, and will be able to deliver resolutions of up to 1024×600.

The one-kilogram notebook will be available for purchase with a pre-installed copy of Windows XP. Despite the fact that it is marketed as an Eee PC competitor, the notebook packs some extra goodies that are not usually present in low-cost notebook offerings.

Both versions of the notebook will feature LED backlight technology for an improved visual experience. Most of the UMPC manufacturers would usually avoid using backlighting in their models, as this extra feature would not only increase production costs, but would also dramatically trim the battery life.

However, the most important aspect of the notebook is its 80 GB 2.5-inch conventional hard-disk drive. This is a significant shift from the UMPC market, that still uses low-capacity solid-state drives to meet the storage requirements.

"The Internet has become the very bridge that connects the world. It is also the most effective way of receiving the latest of necessary knowledge and methods," claimed a company spokesman. The small and beautiful Wind Notebook will provide the necessities for all computer functions, as wells as simple and friendly operating conditions so all of us may participate in the world of the Internet," he continued.

As far as pricing is concerned, the new ultra-portable from MSI is far away from the UMPC market. According to the company, the Wind will come with a price tag of between $470 and $1099. MSI did not detail about the configuration options, but it is alleged that the flagship offering will sport a 10-inch LCD display and a 6-cell battery pack.