MSI formally unveiled its MSI Wind notebook today at Computex. And MSI has clearly aimed it to compete against the Asus Eee PC:
The optimization of the MSI Wind Notebook places it ahead of other low priced notebooks, and other computer manufacturers are scrambling to copy the optimized specs offered exclusively on the MSI Wind Notebook. Other lightweight, low-cost notebooks on the market are very poorly designed. They are flashy, but once the novelty wears off, they turn out to be very impractical. The Flash function, for example, is very restricted in what it can do, so that in the end, users regret getting it and discontinue using it. In sharp contrast, everything on the MSI Wind Notebook, from monitor dimensions to software functions, were chosen and designed from the user’s perspective.
The specs match the ones leaked in the past weeks. Powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor (with Intel 945GMS + ICH7M chipset), the MSI Wind U100 comes with a 10-inch display (1024×600) with LED backlight, up to 2GB RAM, a 2.5-inch 80GB SATA hard drive, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 4-in-1 card reader, a 1.3MP webcam, and 3 USB 2.0 ports. The MSI Wind U100 measures 260 by 180 millimeters in length and width. Thickness varies from 19 to 31.5 millimeters. It weighs just about 1 kilogram with a 3-cell battery. You will also have a choice of colour: black, white, or pink.
Two models will be available in the U.S. (and hopefully Canada). For USD$499 (down a bit from earlier estimates), the U100 will come with Windows XP and 1GB RAM. For USD$399, it will come with Linux and 512MB RAM. The Windows XP version should be available later this month with the Linux version to follow a bit later this summer.