MSI Wind U123 netbook official promo video

The 10.2-inch MSI Wind U123 netbook is a refresh of the popular Wind U100 and comes with the faster N280 Atom CPU. The U123 recently started shipping in the US and now MSI has released an official promotional video highlighting all of its virtues. Strangely the video is silent, however the video is self explanatory and full of text to explain the U123’s full feature set.

The MSI U123 netbook comes with a 10-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.66Ghz N280 Intel Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. Graphics are served by Intel’s GMA950. Other features include WiFi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0, 1.3MP webcam and a 4-in-1 card reader. The Wind U123 comes with a 6-cell battery (5200 mAh) as standard. The Wind U123 is available in four colours (pearl White, grey, black and blue). As we stand, there is still no confirmation on pricing or availability in Europe. Check out the video after the jump. Read more

MSI Wind U123 netbook now shipping in US

MSI’s refresh of its popular U100 netbook, the 10.2-inch U123 has now started to ship in the US. Prices currently range from $349.99 at Newegg.com to $379.99 at Frosty Computers (who allow you different customisation options). Amazon
still has the U123 at pre-order stage for $359.99. Only red and blue models are available currently.

The MSI U123 netbook comes with a 10-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.66Ghz N280 Intel Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. Graphics are served by Intel’s GMA950. Other features include WiFi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0, 1.3MP webcam and a 4-in-1 card reader.

The Wind U123 comes with a 6-cell battery (5200 mAh) as standard. The unit weighs less than 1.4kg (2.98lbs) including the 6-cell battery. A 9-cell battery is also an optional extra. The Wind U123 will come in four colours (pearl White, grey, black and blue). As we stand, there is still no confirmation on pricing or availability in Europe.

Via Portable Monkey.

MSI Wind U123 taken through its paces

Following on from the recent unboxing, Portable Monkey has put up a MSI Wind U123 review. Overall impressions on the 10-inch netbook were positive including very good keyboard and screen. However, they felt it was let down by a number of smaller factors including tinny sound from the speakers, no scrolling capability on the touchpad and low microphone volume.

One of the big disappointments, though, was that the RAM/HDD cannot be upgraded without voiding the warranty. Apparently whilst the bottom part of the case can be easily removed, MSI have placed a “void if tampered with” sticker to make sure you don’t upgrade the parts yourself.

The white MSI U123 comes with a 10-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.66Ghz N280 Intel Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. Graphics are served by Intel’s GMA950. Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0, 1.3MP webcam and a 5-in-1 card reader (the US SKU comes with a 4-in 1 reader). It also comes with a 6-cell battery (5200 mAh) as standard. The unit weighs less than 1.4kg (2.98lbs) including the 6-cell battery. Check out the key points of the review after the break. Read more

MSI Wind U123 netbook gets unboxed

The 10-inch MSI Wind U123 netbook, which was officially announced at the beginning of the month, has been unboxed by Portable Monkey. It seems that MSI provides no access to upgrade your hard-drive or RAM. This is a strange move especially as the U123 supports 2GB RAM, but only ships with 1GB. I imagine, you would have to send it back to MSI if you want the RAM upgrade or open it yourself and void the warranty.

The white MSI U123 came with a 10-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.66Ghz N280 Intel Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. Graphics are served by Intel’s GMA950. Other features include WiFi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0, 1.3MP webcam and a 5-in-1 card reader (the US SKU comes with a 4-in 1 reader). It also comes with a 6-cell battery (5200 mAh) as standard. The unit weighs less than 1.4kg (2.98lbs) including the 6-cell battery.

In Japan, the U123T and U123H models are also due which will include a TV tuner and 3G modem respectively. However, judging from the US press release, the Wind U123 will come with a TV tuner as standard. The MSI Wind U123 comes in a choice of four colours (white, red, blue and grey). The unit is not due to launch in the US until May, but releases in Japan tomorrow. There is no confirmation on pricing or availability in other regions. Click through for some pictures of the MSI Wind U123 being unboxed.

Update: Apparently all MSI Wind netbooks come without access panels on the back. However, the bottom casing can be easily unscrewed to access the HDD and RAM.
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MSI Wind U123 netbook to see May US launch

MSI has officially announced the launch of the Wind U123 netbook at CTIA in Las Vegas. The U123 appeared on MSI’s website last week when we broke the full official specifications.

Comparing the US spec list to that of the global site there seem to be few differences. The US SKU of the U123 Wind seems to suggest that it will come with a TV tuner and 6-cell battery as standard (with optional 9-cell battery). The unit will weigh 1.4kg (2.98lbs) with the 6-cell battery. This highlights that the 6-cell battery is 400g heavier than with the 3-cell battery which has a combined weight of 1kg (2.2lbs).

The MSI Wind U123 has a 10-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.66Ghz N280 Intel Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. It is a shame that MSI decided not to pair the N280 with the GN40 chipset which would have been much more powerful over the 945GSE. Graphics will be served by Intel’s GMA950. It will come with 1GB RAM although 2GB will be supported. Other features include WiFi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0, 1.3MP webcam and a 4-in-1 card reader. The unit is expected to launch in May in the US. There is no confirmation on pricing or availability in other regions. Full US spec-list after the break. Read more