14 DAY TRIAL // After ASUS and Acer decided to go official with their new sub-notebook offerings, MSI has finally settled on no longer keeping its fans waiting and has consequently officially launched the MSI Wind. But that's not all, as it has also released the MSI Wind PC, thus becoming a competitor to ASUS' recently revealed Eee Box.
The new MSI Wind, that has been the topic of so many speculations over the past month, is trying to provide users with an alternative to ASUS' Eee PC. And, if we are to consider how well it was perceived by the general public, MSI might just get a better market share with its new Wind sub-notebook. Similar to ASUS' Eee PC, the Wind sports an Intel Atom processor, which users can also get with the Aspire One from Acer.
MSI decided to put out only a 10-inch Wind notebook that can support a maximum resolution of 1024 x 600, which should be enough for browsing the web or other office-based applications. Unlike ASUS, MSI is not going to release an 8.9-inch version of its Wind lineup.
Several differently colored models will be available, all of which are going to come with the same specifications list. What this basically translates into is an Intel 945GMS-based notebook, that will sport a maximum storage capacity of 80 GB on a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive, which can be extended through either one of three USB 2.0 ports or through the built-in card reader. The sub-notebook will be standardly featured with a 3 cell battery, but users will also have the choice of a 6 cell one. With the former, the notebook is rather lightweight, coming in at approximately 1kg.
The biggest surprise coming from MSI is undoubtedly the release of its desktop version of the Wind PC. This concept looks less spectacular than its portable counterpart, but is said to stand out as a reliable computer system that is focused on ergonomics and energy efficiency.
The Wind PC has been designed to be energy efficient, and as proof of that we have its 4W Thermal Design Power, according to MSI. The desktop system is also expected to be silent, having an operation volume of less than 30dB.
As far as technical specifications go, MSI hasn't revealed too much, but just enough to make its users understand that the small system is ready for everyday computing requirements. It comes built with Gigabit LAN and wireless 802.11b/g network connectivity. The Wind PC is also said to provide a built-in TV card, a feature that no other system so far has been known to make use of.
Where storage is concerned, the Wind PC will be capable of providing no less than 160GB of storage space on a 7200 RPM SATA hard drive. It is believed that the system will also sport a built-in card reader. There's no official word yet on the Wind PC release date or price list, but it certainly looks like MSI is trying to provide users with an alternative to ASUS' recently announced Eee Box.
