While AMD was in no rush to challenge Intel on smaller netbooks, it seems pretty clear that 11.6″ machines is where they’re drawing the line in the sand. Models like the Asus 1201T are starting to appear running the Neo processor, and now we’ve got two (possibly) from MSI set to land on U.S. soil.

As spotted by Wireless Goodness, the MS-1241 and MS-1243 have hit the FCC. One of the models could very well be the Wind U230, which was already known to be running AMD internals. The “discovery” of the MS-1241 is a bit odd, though, since that tag is already on the U210 – which has been available in the U.S. since September 1.

Details in the manual are sketchy (as they typically are in laptop/netbook product manuals). There’s mention of the AMD Yukon L335, integrated graphics, 802.11 wireless, Bluetooth, 3.5G support, 1.3MP webcam, and VGA and HDMI outputs. A TV tuner option is also available.

One thing I like about the diagrams – the bottom of the unit looks as though a single cover will provide access to all the parts DIYers typically want to swap. Hooray for less screws to lose!

via Netbooked

AMD has sort of stayed out of the netbook space for the last year or so, shaking its head and frequently wondering why people would want computers that can’t play Crysis. Then in January, AMD unveiled a product roadmap that included cheaper, lower power chips that could be used in low cost portable computers like the HP Pavilion dv2 line. These processors provide better performance than an Intel Atom chip, but also consume more battery life.

But further down the road is a CPU that AMD is currently calling Ontario… which AMD CEO Dirk Meyer tells CNet could end up powering mini-laptops with 10 inch screens and $399 price tags. Does this mean that AMD has finally seen the light and is willing to admit that people actually like and want netbooks? Sort of.

Meyer doesn’t think much of the name netbook, and thinks that eventually people will just start to think of the devices as laptops… with smaller screens. Which makes sense, because that’s exactly what they are. But it’s good to see that AMD is coming around to the idea that it needs to produce low power, low cost chips for the bottom end of the market, because competition in this space is always good. Right now Intel and VIA pretty much dominate the netbook market, although ARM is preparing to give them a run for the money. AMD’s entry into the mini-laptop space could shake things up quite a bit more.

As promised, here are a few photos of the HP Pavilion DV2 line of notebooks from CES Unveiled last night. The DV2 series machines are some of the first laptops using the the AMD Yukon platform with the new AMD Neo processor. 

They’re larger than netbooks, with 12 inch displays. And they cost more, with prices starting around $699. But either it’s the magic of CES, or I’m starting to believe that there is a place for a device that’s somewhere in between a netbook and a full sized, full featured laptop. And the Pavilion DV2 line seems nicely situated to fill that niche. It offers better graphics and CPU performance than an Intel Atom-based netbook, but still weighs in at less than 4 pounds.

The DV2 price starts at $699, but you can add options like a higher capacity battery or an external Blu-ray drive which will jack up the price a bit. You can find a basic rundown of the specs and another photo after the break.

What do you think? Would you pay $700 for a 12 inch, 4 pounder, or if you’re going to spend that kind of money would you rather get a larger machine with a faster CPU?

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MSI launched the MSI X320 last night. It looks an awful lot like a MacBook Air. It has a 13.4  inch, 1366 x 768 display and it’s super thin and light, measuring less than an inch thick, and weighing about 2.9 pounds. But unlike the MacBook Air, the MSI X320 runs on an Intel Atom Z520 CPU which means two things: It won’t exactly be a speed demon, and it’ll be a lot cheaper than the Air.

How much cheaper? Laptop Magazine reports that the X320 will retail for between $700 and $900.

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AMD has announced the first plans for its Yukon platform: moderately priced light weight notebook computers with a new AMD Neo CPU. The idea is to create a machine that falls somewhere between a chap netbook and a more traditional subnotebook (which typically carries a premium price tag). Think MacBook Air-sized computers with processors that are a bit more powerful than an Intel Atom, but without offering bleeding edge quad core performance.

I’m about to board a plane so I’ll provide more details later today. In the meantime, you can find more information here:

• AMD: Creating a new notebook category
• AMD’s Netbook counterstrike
• Q&A: Yukon to outperform Atom, not destined for netbooks

More soon…