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Yet another ultra-portable to be coming to the market, the MSI Wind is expected to become available here in the US on June 3, 2008 and similar to other notebooks in its class it will be offered with a choice of either Linux Novell or Windows XP Home as the operating system.

Aside from the difference in OS, there are only a few other small details that vary between models. Both will offer a 10-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, an Intel 945 GMS chipset, a 2.5-inch 80GB SATA hard drive, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, a 4-in-1 card reader, 3 USB ports and a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam.

The Linux version will ship with a 3-cell battery and come with 512MB of RAM, while the Windows version will offer a larger 6-cell battery and have 1GB of RAM installed, it will also be Bluetooth equipped.

The dimensions are also just about the same with both models measuring in at 10.23 x 7.08 x 0.75-inches, and thanks to the smaller battery the Linux version will weigh in at a slightly lower 2.3-pounds as compared to the 2.6-pounds of the Windows version.

The price, at least according to MSI will be at “an affordable sub $500 price point.”

Product [MSI Mobile]

The MSI Wind, which we just yesterday learned that it was going to be available in multiple colors, is now available for pre-order. Expansys has listed the Wind, available for pre-order in White, Black or Pink. The official details are listing a 10-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 80GB hard drive, built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Wind will be running Windows XP and also ship with a 3-cell battery and protective carry bag.

The Wind will set you back $609.95, with discounts available, that is if you want to order five or more. Currently there is not any estimated shipping date.

Product [expansys] Via [UMPC Portal]

With an official release date yet to be announced more and more details of the MSI Wind have been leaking out. The latest information puts the Wind even further into the Eee PC group as we have just learned that it will not only be available in white, but MSI has plans for a black and pink model as well.

Each of the three colors will be available in both the 8.9-inch and 10-inch displayed models. In addition to the newly discovered colors, TCMagazine is also reporting that there will be a model that will offer up to 7-hours of battery life, now that is high-capacity, lets just hope it does not add a ton of extra weight to go along with the power. Other newly released details include the webcam being 1.3-megapixels and the notebook will also have an second (empty) RAM slot available for easier upgrading. The Wind, which is still expected to be available later this quarter is expected to range in price from 299 to 699 Euros (about $460 to $1,077 US).

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Before Asus even launches its own desktop Eee PC, its rival MSI has already rolled out a competing product. MSI’s small new wonder is called the Titan, which aside from having a small profile, will also be small on price - at only £235 or about $450 USD, give or take a few. It measures only 9.45 x 7.28 x 2.75-inches, and yet it features a 250GB SATA hard drive, 2 GHz VIA C7 processor, 1GB of DDR 2 memory and VIA’s CN700 integrated chipset. Two USB ports, VGA, TV out, 5.1-channel digital audio out, legacy PS/2 and serial ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port are all built-in to round out this little baby’s set of I/O ports. While a dual-layer multi-format DVD writer is included to take care of your home theater needs. The catch? It doesn’t come with an OS, which at first of course sucks, but you can bag Linux (what the original Eee PC used to ship with) for free easily anyway, so it’s still kind of OK.

Via [Register Hardware]

Up till now we have been getting plenty of details on just what the MSI Wind would feature spec wise, but MSI has been pretty tight-lipped on releasing any images. However they have recently set loose a complete set showing off what this little beauty looks like. Overall a nice looking notebook, but nothing over the top. Keep reading for a few more pics…

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The MSI Wind, which was originally unveiled during CeBIT just left us wanting more in the line of details. While we already had some information, some of it has just been confirmed by MSI.

The Wind will offer either an 8.9-inch or 10-inch display with both sizes having a 1024 x 600 resolution, an 80GB hard drive and weigh in at just 2.2-pounds. The notebook will be available this June in the European market and retail somewhere between 299 - 699 Euros (around $471-$1100 US). The Wind will also be running Windows XP, which may explain the higher price range.

While MSI has confirmed that pricing, lets hope they can narrow it down a little more as to just what we can expect at the low and/or high end.

Via [Small-Laptops.com]

MSI first unveiled the Wind during CeBIT and its now looking like a release will be happening a little sooner than later. They are expected to launch during Q2 2008, and be priced between $470 and $1,099 depending on configuration. The notebooks are going to offer an 8.9- or 10-inch displays along with options for a traditional hard drive or an SSD drive. Overall they seem to be similar specs as some of the other ultra-portables that have been hitting the market lately. Hopefully some more firm details will come out, giving us a little better idea of what to expect when the Wind arrives.

Via [DigiTimes]

MSI Taiwan has announced the VR340 13-inch notebook boasting of aerodynamic and elementary exterior design that also conceals opening on its edges. Weighing only a mere 4.85-pounds, the VR340 adds to the slew of made-for-always-on-the-go notebook users.

MSI seemed to have put more emphasis on giving users a notebook model that is a pleasant to use even on prolong hours. The VR340’s strength lies on its ergonomic design and not so much on its technical capabilities. But that’s not saying that MSI is a mediocre machine, because the VR340 has its share of technical features which is at par with industry standards. 

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MSI must have received reactions from GX600 users that it decided to upgrade its gaming notebook to fully support the demand of today’s 3D games. The latest iteration of MSI’s GX600-Enhanced, which is how the notebook is now called, features Intel 45nm processing chips, increased memory and hard disk drive capacity.

What was previously an already powerful gaming right was made even powerful and resource-efficient with the new processor and a 3GB RAM and 320GB of hard disk storage. Gamers would definitely have a heyday playing their favorite MMORPG and other online games using the GX600-Enhanced.

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Rumored to cost around $500 or higher, The MSI Wind will be the newest ultra-portable laptop in direct competition with the recently announced 9-inch wonder from Asus. The MSI Wind, unveiled at CeBIT 2008, will come with Intel’s new Atom chip, 1GB of RAM as default and a 6-cell battery that could last roughly 6 to 7 hours. It’s bound to run on either Linux or Windows, offers a 10-inch display and the option to get fitted with either a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD, depending on user preference. All that’s available right now are just profile shots from the MSI booth, with no sign of the general user interface (or even a power on screen) yet. But judging from the blue, pink, and silver outer casings, this little unit looks dazzling so far. It also looks just as good as other regular-sized laptops. You’ve got to question it’s name though. Knowing that there’s something out there called the “Air”, and since this one is called “Wind”, what do you think they’ll come up with next? Breeze? Gas?

Via [Gizmodo]