MSI has formally unwrapped its attempt to storm into the Small, Cheap Computer™ market: the perhaps unfortunately named Wind.
MSI Wind MSI's Wind: nudging toward notebook size
Due to ship in June, the Wind will blow in with a choice of Windows XP or Linux to run on its selection of 8.9in and 10in LED-backlit display options. …
I guess this is going to be another hulking great beast of a "pocket" laptop, like the HP2133. No doubt they are (like Asus) using basically the same chassis for both sizes of screen, so the 8.9" one will have a fugly surround and simply not be particularly tiny. As such, the 8.9" Eee remains my preferred choice. Despite there being lots of competition to the Eee, they all seem to be either underspecced or miss what to many is the primary attraction.
For my money, even Eee seem to have missed this with their new model. The primary attraction is a highly mobile screen and keyboard. Paying extra for more RAM or more disc space is silly; if I want those I will connect to a server that has them.
But I'm probably odd.
But that probably makes me typical in this market.
I suspect that the market for Small, Cheap Machines is composed of disparate groups who don't actually agree about what's so good about the Eee. It's just that they all agree that the (original) Eee is closer to what they want than anything else.
From my first hand experience of MSI laptops, don't expect the build quality to be all that. They look sturdy enough, but bits wear out and fall off pretty quickly.
I've got a Psion 7 (upgraded with a Netbook ROM) and an eeePC 701 4G and that sized form factor - aka A5 notepad size - is for me, the BIGGEST an ultra small PC can be. BUT it also has got to be cheap with the right wireless technology (BT or HSPDA in addition to wifi) built-in or can be plugged in without any overhang!
80gig hard drive is complete overkill for an ultra and will just break or screw the battery life. SSDs are the future for these devices but only have big capacity when they are cheap!
A cheap iPhone with 3G and 16gb of memory and handwriting recognition is also a reasonable alternative. I think the iPhone / ipod touch / "iTablet" / Nokia N810 is closer to the ideal portable form factor than a traditional shrunked laptop design though and maybe manufacturers should look to that for the next breakthrough product?
It seems all these small, cheap PC's are getting bigger and bigger. Even Asus is releasing Eee PCs with larger screens and therefore larger cases.
How about something smaller? Make it a 4 inch touch screen and shrink the keyboard so it fits in my pocket when folded shut. The N810 comes close but isn't a clamshell and doesn't have an x86 processor so I'm restricted in 3rd party application compatibility. Oh, but you need to keep the sub-$400 price point or you can go sit with those godawful expensive Samsung and Sony UMPC's my quick walk through newegg revealed.
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MSI to waft Wind Westward in June
MSI has formally unwrapped its attempt to storm into the Small, Cheap Computer™ market: the perhaps unfortunately named Wind. MSI Wind MSI's Wind: nudging toward notebook size Due to ship in June, the Wind will blow in with a choice of Windows XP or Linux to run on its selection of 8.9in and 10in LED-backlit display options. …
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Posted Monday 21st April 2008 10:50 GMT
David Gosnell
Hulking beast? #
I guess this is going to be another hulking great beast of a "pocket" laptop, like the HP2133. No doubt they are (like Asus) using basically the same chassis for both sizes of screen, so the 8.9" one will have a fugly surround and simply not be particularly tiny. As such, the 8.9" Eee remains my preferred choice. Despite there being lots of competition to the Eee, they all seem to be either underspecced or miss what to many is the primary attraction.
Posted Monday 21st April 2008 11:16 GMT
abigsmurf
Which one in the picture? #
Is that the 8.9" in the picture? If so the small Bevel would make this pretty compact and sexy. Hopefully this'll offer a good battery life
Posted Monday 21st April 2008 11:39 GMT
Ken Hagan
The primary attraction #
For my money, even Eee seem to have missed this with their new model. The primary attraction is a highly mobile screen and keyboard. Paying extra for more RAM or more disc space is silly; if I want those I will connect to a server that has them.
But I'm probably odd.
But that probably makes me typical in this market.
I suspect that the market for Small, Cheap Machines is composed of disparate groups who don't actually agree about what's so good about the Eee. It's just that they all agree that the (original) Eee is closer to what they want than anything else.
Posted Monday 21st April 2008 14:56 GMT
Martin Saunders
MSI = Poor build quality #
From my first hand experience of MSI laptops, don't expect the build quality to be all that. They look sturdy enough, but bits wear out and fall off pretty quickly.
Posted Monday 21st April 2008 14:56 GMT
Ishkandar
"Asus Eee PC and friend: troubled by the Wind?" #
Actually, she looks more like she's troubled by constipation !!
Mine's the asbestos-covered kevlar one, thank you !!
Posted Monday 21st April 2008 15:12 GMT
Francis Boyle
Count me odd too #
The last thing I want on a machine of this class is a hard drive.
here's why:
http://eeesite.net/2008/02/eee-pc-takes-licking-keeps-on-you-know.html
Warning: not safe for squeamish geeks.
Posted Tuesday 22nd April 2008 00:10 GMT
Richard
Psion 7 / Netbook would have been ideal #
I've got a Psion 7 (upgraded with a Netbook ROM) and an eeePC 701 4G and that sized form factor - aka A5 notepad size - is for me, the BIGGEST an ultra small PC can be. BUT it also has got to be cheap with the right wireless technology (BT or HSPDA in addition to wifi) built-in or can be plugged in without any overhang!
80gig hard drive is complete overkill for an ultra and will just break or screw the battery life. SSDs are the future for these devices but only have big capacity when they are cheap!
A cheap iPhone with 3G and 16gb of memory and handwriting recognition is also a reasonable alternative. I think the iPhone / ipod touch / "iTablet" / Nokia N810 is closer to the ideal portable form factor than a traditional shrunked laptop design though and maybe manufacturers should look to that for the next breakthrough product?
Posted Tuesday 22nd April 2008 00:10 GMT
Anonymous Coward
This thing is huge #
It seems all these small, cheap PC's are getting bigger and bigger. Even Asus is releasing Eee PCs with larger screens and therefore larger cases.
How about something smaller? Make it a 4 inch touch screen and shrink the keyboard so it fits in my pocket when folded shut. The N810 comes close but isn't a clamshell and doesn't have an x86 processor so I'm restricted in 3rd party application compatibility. Oh, but you need to keep the sub-$400 price point or you can go sit with those godawful expensive Samsung and Sony UMPC's my quick walk through newegg revealed.
Posted Tuesday 22nd April 2008 00:10 GMT
Captain DaFt
@Martin Saunders #
So, You're saying that in your opinion, it'll probably be easy to break wind?
Posted Tuesday 22nd April 2008 01:20 GMT
Aubry Thonon
Evil name #
So if I walk around with one under my arm, I'll have the wind beneath my wing?
Mind you, it gives a new meaning to "putting the wind up" someone.
Argh.. need.. to.. hit.. head.. on.. desk.. repeatedly..
This topic is closed for new posts.