The MSI Wind: Buy or not buy?
Posted by Rex | Under Uncategorized Sunday Jul 20, 2008
I’ve been waiting for this, but now that it’s here I don’t know what to do.
I was stunned when I finally saw the MSI Wind sub-notebook available in a local computer store. Concept Computers Iloilo is now selling the MSI Wind and I’m having a hard time restraining myself from buying it!
The MSI Wind
The MSI Wind is one of the best-reviewed sub-notebooks I have encountered in the internet. The only problems so far are the touchpad (a little small), its buttons (lever-type with no distinct left and right button), the not-so-small adapter, and the low-quality speakers. However, these are very minor problems beside the wonderful features that seem to be just the right blend between mobility and usability:
- Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor
- 10″ wide LED-backlit screen (up to 1024×600 resolution)
- 3-cell battery for up to ~2.5h usage (a 6-cell version is coming)
- 1.2 kg weight
- close to full-size keyboard
- 4-in-1 card reader
- 802.11bg WiFi with Bluetooth
- MicroSoft Windows XP Home, SP3 (Linux available too)
Reviews have also been speaking well about the MSI Wind’s low-heat operation in contrast to the Asus Eee line that easily becomes very hot.
So should I buy one?
Concept computer’s price tag of P25,900 (1GB RAM, 80GB HD) is very, very tempting since it’s actually cheaper than most of the prices I’ve seen online.
I’ve been holding off the purchase of a portable computer for months now. I’ve been asking myself whether I should go for a Full-sized laptop or a mini-laptop. Recently I think I have decided that the bulkiness of laptops is not something I want to deal with so that’s one point towards the MSI Wind. It earns more points from me for having the new Intel Atom chip, which consumes only 1 to 2.5 watts of power, and a keyboard larger than the Asus Eee 900 (another one I thought of buying).
However, the real issue is: do I need it? There is without a doubt that life will go on without having this little electronic gadget, but the demands of graduate studies makes me think I can perform better with a portable computer. Or will it? It might instead encourage me to procrastinate on my papers and spend too much time surfing the net in wi-fi areas in school.
Another interesting question: what else can I buy with 25,900 pesos? That’s more than 20 sacks of rice or more-than-enough money to send a student to school for a year.
I guess it boils down to: is it a good investment? I am concluding this post by stating that whether something will be a good buy or not will depend on how productively you use it.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Looks more like an imitation of Apple’s MacAir to me. I guess you can say that you really need one right now already. Besides, it’s a big probability that you’ll eventually have one in the near future. And hey, how’s its RAM and disk space?
P.S. This blog’s not hosted under Philhosting.Net, right?
P.P.S. As of the moment, Philhosting.Net seems to be having troubles connecting to all the databases. The heck. My site suddenly became inaccessible and I confirmed that it wasn’t only mine when I checked UPVisayas.Net and Philhosting.Net itself. Both returned a “cannot connect to database” error as well. Ugh.
P.P.P.S. You misspelled a tag in this post.
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Uh, stupid. Kindly ignore my last sentence nalang. ^_^’
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Hi Nelson! As stated, the RAM is 1GB and hard disk 80GB but both are expandable. As of now, I am still successful in holding myself back. Lol!
This blog is under Philhosting. I guess server9 has just returned to normal when you came for a visit. I had connection problems earlier too. BTW, thanks for the tag correction.
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yeah, weird it’s cheaper than the ones on the online stores (I’ll try to check it out sa SM North). My laptop is still PhP 2,000 cheaper, hehe, just with 20GB less hard disk space and the lack of Bluetooth. Pero siguro for you, if you aren’t really concerned with the optical drive and siguro you won’t play games (naman!), OK na. May desktop ka naman eh.
If you do buy, try to snag some freebies. I was able to get a nice mouse, a still-unused webcam, and a now-malfuctioning bluetooth adaptor for free.
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The MSI Wind is very OK. I continue to read reviews and some are branding it as the best of its kind out there. Aaaah! The lack of optical drive doesn’t bother me since I seldom use it anyway. Gaming? People are playing Warcraft III with this mini-laptop, but, yeah, I don’t play games anymore.
As of now, one me wants to run and grab what might be the last stock. The other me is wishing it will be sold out so I’d be forced to not buy it and save P25,900.
I need a sign….
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I’m getting me one of these for sure. But I’ll wait for 2 months more. By that time the 6 pack battery cell will be available.
One more thing, Intel is coming out with with the Intel Atom Dual Core. Who knows, the newer MSI Wind Model (If they come out with one) might come before Christmas 2008 equipped with this new CPU. Or probably they’ll change architecture and use NVIDIA’s computer on a chip called The Tegra.
I wouldn’t mind paying a little extra for this machine.
When I saw it in the display, I asked to try it out to get a feel of the weight and speed…. and I tell you straight out…. I am impressed.
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