MSI Releasing Cedar Trail-Based Netbook, the Wind U180

As reported earlier, the netbook form factor isn't dead quite yet -- at least, not in 2012. To prove this point, motherboard manufacturer MSI is reportedly launching a netbook using a 1.86 GHz Intel Atom N2800 Cedar Trail processor along with Intel GMA 3650 graphics and up to 2 GB of DDR3 RAM. The netbook will initially be rolled out in Germany with a base price of under 350 Euros, but a few demo units is expected to make an appearance at CES 2012 next week.

Called the MSI Wind U180, the base netbook will sport a 10.1-inch WSVGA (1024 x 600) Slim-type LED-backlit display, a 320 GB 5400rpm HDD, 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, 10/100 Ethernet, a 0.3MP webcam, a 2-in-1 card reader, and Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition. Other features will include support for 1080p HD video, HDMI output on select models, a 6-cell battery and a Chiclet keyboard.

According to a pre-order listing, the new MSI netbook also provides a few extra options for consumers who want a little extra spunk. Storage options include a 750 GB SATA 5400rpm HDD and a 512 GB Kingston SSD among other storage solutions, USB-based DVD and Blu-ray burners, choices of Windows 7 Home and Windows 7 Premium, and more. Additional listings even indicate that users also have an option to upgrade to a 3-in-1 card reader.

Currently there's no indication of when of if this netbook will make it over to the States, but we'll likely know more about the device next week, so stay tuned.

  • zzz_b
    1024x600 resolution :o
    No, thanks!
    Reply
  • southernshark
    Couldn't run fast enough from that piece of crap.
    Reply
  • kawininjazx
    I had a dell netbook with an SSD, it ran very well except for video playback, which was crap.
    Reply
  • silverblue
    Apparently the netbook form factor isn't quite dead, and this one even sports an Intel Cedar Trail CPU.

    Really? You say that like it's impressive or something.

    Zacate. 'nuff said.
    Reply
  • cookoy
    512gb SSD and blu-ray burner options hehe
    Reply
  • the1kingbob
    lol lots of netbook haters here.... I would rather buy this than a macbook that cost 3 times as much or a overpriced tablet that only runs a mobile OS. Not to mention they are light, take up little space, and generally do 95% of everything needed(if you can deal with the horrible resolution).

    Does the Cedar with new Intel graphics support HD playback? I know my atom can't....
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    The new Atom is a great processor, capping out at 2GB of Ram, and such a low res monitor is what is really going to kill this product, especially with the res restrictions on win8.
    I would love to have one of these new Atoms with a slightly higher res monitor and 4GB of Ram paired with an SSD :)
    Reply
  • KelvinTy
    I think this is a complete waste of Earth's resource...
    The resource doesn't even make sense, why would someone put a 512GB SSD or Blu-ray burner or even both into this thing? 512 SSD, the CPU is too slow to process anything close to the rate of which the SSD is doing. Blu-ray burner, you serious? With 10/100 ethernet and a display resolution of 1024x600, what the hell would you need a blu-ray burner?
    Is this a joke to provoke people?
    Reply
  • ricdiculus
    I will not now, not never own another MSI product (very bad experience flashing a motherboard resulting in bricking it).
    Reply
  • Um, the SSD isn't close to the CPU speed. Do people even know what they are talking about? It is an ATOM so battery life is what this form factor is all about. It is about people who want to stay unplugged all day since they are mobile but need a lot more power and functionality than what is available in a tablet. The new ATOMs are better in the HD playback department but are you really doing a lot of that on a 10" or 13" screen? Really? The nice thing about it is that it doesn't need the nVidia ION anymore which was a battery guzzler. I'll be getting one just to have a truly mobile computing platform that does actual computing. Zacate is good as well, just not as efficient. Can't go wrong with either of them IMO. Zacate for more power and ATOM to stay unplugged longer.
    Reply