MSI Unveils X-Slim; Goes After MacBook Air

By Aaron Heibert
published

The netbook class of mobile computing is quickly becoming the most lucrative of the computing world, and along with that comes fierce competition to win over the customers, MSI is now showing off a sleek pair of X-Slim netbooks.

Building on top of the popular MSI WIND U100 model of netbook, MSI now introduces the X-Slim X340 and X600 netbooks, currently in China only. The major aspect of the new pair is that they are extremely thin, resembling that of Apple's MacBook Air.

Specifications for the X340 aren’t much different than those of the X320 shown at CES back in January. The X320 shown at CES weighed 2.8 pounds, had a four-cell battery and 1366 x 768 pixel resolution 13.4-inch display. The main difference between the X340 and X320 is said to be that the X340 contains an ultra low voltage (ULV) Intel Penryn processor and GMA4500 graphics with HDMI output. The exact ULV Penryn model has yet to be announced.

The X600 model appears to play big brother to the X340. Known specifications of the X600 at this time are that it uses the Intel Centrino 2 platform, has a 15.6-inch 16:9 display and weighs in at just a little over 4 pounds. Other features are 3 USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port as well as both VGA and HDMI outputs and wired Ethernet. Nothing is currently known about WiFi or Bluetooth technologies for either model at this time though it is a safe bet they will be included.

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The MSI X-Slim X600 is slated to have its full launch at the upcoming CeBIT 2009 where the rest of the cats will be let out of the bag. Pricing is also unknown for the X600 but MSI has made mention of the X340 retailing somewhere between US$699 and US$999.

Aaron Heibert
6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Tindytim
    What's the obsession with thin? I'm not interested in spending thousands of dollars in something that will break so easily.
    Reply
  • falchard
    Whats the obsession with overpriced and underperforming hardware? $900 for a laptop with a crappy IGP and an underpowered processor?
    Reply
  • sacre
    I bought a thin notebook once, i'll tell ya, don't drop it on a porch.. Last time I did it slipped right between the wood and it was stuck for a good 4 hours.. and when i got to it, it shattered like glass..

    So from now on I carry a desktop tower in my backpack, and attach a 9 inch LCD to my helmet, and i attach a small table around my belly and put my small mouse/keyboard on it

    I hope I don't fall
    Reply
  • cletus_slackjawd
    zzzz kb test, just spld wtr.
    MSI really seems like it's on a roll. Constantly building new and desirable products and at attractive market prices.. I wish I had some stock in MSI. I think they will continue to grow.
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    Some thinness is good - I think this MSI laptop hit it on the mark for me. I'd like something just about that thick.

    Besides, the 4500MHD is decent - I got one in my HP laptop. Sure, it can't run CoD4, but its enough for everyday tasks - and since this comes with a ULV processor, I honestly don't think this is meant for gaming, or even heavy multimedia anyway.
    Reply
  • izzygodenov
    $999 MSRP for an under powered laptop? Are you kidding?
    Reply