NbC: MSI Wind U135 Review
March 29, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Bottom of unit
As with previous MSI Wind netbooks, MSI does not provide any access panels for easy access to change RAM or your hard drive. You can access these components by removing all of the screws from the bottom panel, however in doing so you’ll be voiding the warranty.
There are a number of vents on the bottom. The speakers are located to the very bottom left and right. Like many other netbooks, the 6-cell battery bulges out at the bottom and includes two rubber feet.
MSI will know if you try and upgrade components by placing a sticker (“Warranty Sticker: Void if tampered”) over a screw needed to remove the bottom.
The battery slid in and out very easily. We would have preferred slightly larger locking buttons, but it held the battery securely at all times during testing.
The little hand symbol likely denotes the fact that this is the vent where the air may get quite hot.
The two speakers sit at the very corner on the front of the netbook.
Dimensions
The MSI Wind U135 measures 26.0cm in width. This is broadly the same as other netbooks tested.
The Wind U135 measured 18.0 cm in depth. To give you an idea of other netbooks, the Asus Eee PC 1005HA had a depth of 17.8cm, the MSI Wind U115 was 18.0cm; Asus Eee PC 1000HE was 19.1cm and the Samsung N120 was 18.9cm.
The U135 varies in thickness. At the back where the battery sits, the netbook is at its thickest point at 31.5mm. This compares to the thickness of the Toshiba NB200 (32.3mm), Asus Eee PC 1005HA (36.5mm), MSI Wind U115 (31.5mm), Samsung N120 (30mm) and Eee PC 1000HE (38.1mm).
When looking at these pictures, it is worth noting that the ruler does not start from zero. There is a small gap before the gradations start.
At its thinnest point, the U135 measures 19.0mm. This is lower than most of its peers. The Toshiba NB200 measures 25.4mm, the Asus Eee PC 1005HA measures 25.9mm, the MSI Wind U115 measures 19.0mm, the Samsung N120 is 20.33mm and the 1000HE is 28.5mm.
The MSI Wind U135 power supply measured 35mm (W) x 89mm (H) x 26mm (D), comparing very favourably to the Asus power bricks that are known to be one of the smallest in the industry.
This compares against the large Toshiba NB200 one at 41mm (W) x 95mm (H) x 27mm (D), the tiny one in the Asus Eee PC 1005HA at 34mm (W) x 85mm (H) x 25.5mm (D). The MSI Wind U115’s power supply measured 40mm (W) x 94mm (H) and 28mm (D), whilst the Samsung N120 measured 40mm (W) x 92mm (H) x 27mm (D).
Weight
The MSI Wind U135 weighs 1.266 according to our measurements, which includes a 6-cell battery. This makes it one of the lightest tested. The Toshiba NB200 was 1.320kg, Asus Eee PC 1005HA was 1.300kg, the MSI Wind U115 weighed 1.302kg and the Samsung N120 weighed (1.295kg).
The 6-cell battery alone weighed 307g, ones of the lightest along with the Toshiba NB200 (308g). The Asus Eee PC 1005HA battery weighed 318g, the MSI Wind U115 (325g) and Samsung N120 (330g).
The power supply and plug socket weighed 358g. This is lighter than the MSI Wind U115 (390g) but significantly heavier than that of the Asus Eee PC 1005HA (258g).
Overall, the MSI Wind U135 weighed 1.624kg, the second lightest tested behind the Asus Eee PC 1005HA (1.558kg). Not bad considering that other models have been quite a bit heavier including the MSI Wind U115 (1.692kg), the Toshiba NB200 at 1.701kg, the Samsung N120 at 1.717kg and the Eee PC 1000HE at 1.75kg.
May 9th, 2010 1:16 PM
I think it needs to be pointed out that the touchpad DOES in fact support multi-touch, scrolling, etc. You just need to grab the Sentelic Multi Touchpad driver from http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=nbdriver&maincat_no=135&prod_no=1973
May 26th, 2010 8:14 PM
Please include a close-up of the two MSI labels on the right underside. These labels show the wireless chipset used in the laptop. I would not touch the U135 if the chipset was Atheros ! too many problems with this chipset. Realtek is the best.
July 8th, 2010 2:43 PM
i have just bought one and the only thing i dnt know how to turn on is the bluetooth dse any one know how to
July 9th, 2010 10:15 PM
I am trying to find the user manual for my MSI wind U100. Not in the box and searched online to no avail. There are many things I do not know about my Netbook, so just do without!! I found a lot of manuals for the Asus Netbooks online, but shame on MSI/Proline for the lack of customer services.
My problem is — I do not know where to set the Webcam, it is not working, can anyone assist please. Thx E
August 3rd, 2010 2:43 PM
Hi,
I also don’t know how to make bluetooth work or my webcam…
can anyone tell me how?
August 4th, 2010 11:08 AM
My problem is — I do not know where to set the Webcam, it is not working, can anyone assist please. Thx E
For U100, Fn+F6 can turn on the webcam.
August 6th, 2010 7:01 PM
hi to turn the webcam on you need to press the fn button and the f6 button at the same time dose anyone know how to switch bluetooth on
October 19th, 2010 4:55 PM
Eli,
The english user manual for the Wind U100 can be found at the address below.
Copy and paste it into your browser.
Josh
http://download1.msi.com/files/downloads/mnu_exe/01_MS_N011+N811_v1.0_English.zip
January 6th, 2011 11:25 PM
hi, i was wondering if anyone could help because i got the netbook for christmas so i can stay in contact with family etc on skype but cant seem to figure out how to make the webcam work
January 17th, 2011 1:33 PM
Hi Guys,
I have bought the Wind U135 just today and the sales guy explained that the netbook doesnt have a built-in Bluetooth. You need to use a bluetooth plug-in/ device.
May 7th, 2011 11:00 AM
hiya i just bort the msi u135 netbook the webcam works an it sayss i have a built bluetooth i dont know ow ta switch it on it says to press fn +f11 togeva that only switches on the wireless can anyone tell me pleasee thanks
May 23rd, 2011 2:39 PM
Please can somebody advice me on how to turn my webcam on and is a built on webcam U135 laptop. it seem when i press the fn and f6 key it comes up but says error or bad signal so please advice