MSI has released its first netbook with Windows 7, and it’s the Wind U123. In other words, it’s the exact same netbook that MSI has been pushing for the last few months, except it now comes with Windows 7 Starter Edition instead of Windows XP.

Most PC vendors gave their netbooks a slight spec bump with Windows 7 because Microsoft allows companies to bundle low cost copies of Windows 7 Starter Edition with netbooks that have hard drives up to 250GB. The Windows XP restriction was set at 160GB. But it looks like MSI is basically selling the same computer with a new operating system, because the Windows 7 model ships with a 160GB hard drive, 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 10.2 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display.

On the other hand, it’s available with a 9 cell, 7800mAh battery, which should help make up for any loss of battery life you would otherwise experience with the move from Windows XP to 7.

You can pick up the MSI Wind U123 with Windows 7 Starter Edition for $379.99 from Neweggfor $380 from Newegg. Or you could just pick up the Windows XP version with a 6 cell battery for as low as $299.99.

I suspect MSI will also probably have a new model to introduce soon. After all, CES is less than a month away.

via Netbooked

The MSI Wind U123, which has been available for pre-order for a week or two, is now in stock and shipping in the US. Amazon is selling the netbook for $349.99 with a 6 cell battery. It’s available in both red and blue, and packs a 1.66GHz intel Atom N280 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a 10.2 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display.

If that’s not enough juice for you, Amazon is also taking pre-orders on an MSI Wind U123 model with a 9-cell battery for $379.99.

Some versions of the Wind U123 will be available with a built-in 3G modem. The computer also features facial recognition software that lets you login to Windows by gazing at the webcam.

The MSI Wind U123 netbook is a lot like the MSI Wind U100, or any other machine with a 10 inch display and 1.66GHz Intel Atom CPU for that matter. So when the folks at NetbookUsers uploaded the official demo video for the netbook I wasn’t expecting to see much new. But the video does give you a nice look at the keyboard, computer chassis, and one of the few features that really does set this netbook apart: Facial recognition software that lets you login by pointing the webcam at your face. If you ask me, a good password is a lot easier to use, but that might just be me.

You can check out the full video after the break.

Oh, and the MSI Wind U123 is now in stock and shipping from Amazon for $349.99.

via NetbookNews.de

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The MSI Wind U123 is the second major netbook from MSI. Like the MSI Wind U100, the new model has 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a 10 inch display. And both models run Windows XP.

But the U123 has a slightly faster 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU, 802.11n WiFi, and ships with a 6 cell battery standard.

Amazon is now taking pre-orders for the MSI Wind U123. It’s available in either blue or red for about $350.

via Portable Monkey

The MSI Wind U123 may not be available in most of the world yet. But it’s shipping in Japan and Portable Monkey has posted a review of the first commercially available version of MSI’s latest netbook.

The good news? The battery is good for up to 6.5 hours, and you can upgrade the RAM to 2GB. The bad news? Upgrading the RAM or performing any other hardware upgrades will void your warranty.

The netbook reportedly has a decent build quality with a few odd design choices. For instance, when you insert an SD card into the flash card reader it sticks out a bit. Still, the Wind U123 is a nice looking machine that’s about the same size as the Acer Aspire One D150 and significantly smaller than the Asus Eee PC 1000HE.

For all the details, make sure to check out the complete review at Portable Monkey.

If there’s one thing big computer and electronics companies love, it’s putting out press releases to drum up excitement about new and upcoming products. So even though MSI pretty much spilled the beans on it upcoming Wind U123 series of netbooks a few weeks ago, the company couldn’t resist putting out a new press release today announcing the launch of the Wind U123, U123H, and U123T.

All three models feature a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU, a 10 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1GB of RAM, up to 160GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a webcam, and facial recognition software to let you login to your computer by staring it down. All three run Windows XP Home, and you get a choice of 3 cell or 6 cell batteries.

The Wind U123H also packs a 3.5G HSDPA modem, while the Wind U123T comes with a built in digital TV tuner.

via Engadget

The MSI Wind U123 is apparently scheduled to ship in Japan starting tomorrow, and Portable Monkey managed to get one of MSI’s latest netbooks a day early.

As expected, the U123 looks an awful lot like the MSI Wind U120. But there are a few differences. First, the Wind U123 has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, which is slightly faster than the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU in its predecessor. Second, the U123 RAM can be upgraded to 2GB, while the U120 maxes out at 1GB.

Eventually MSI will offer advanced options like a built in TV tuner and 3G modem, but those aren’t available yet.

Portable Monkey reports that there biggest problem with the U123 is that there are no access panels on the bottom of the netbook. That means if you want to upgrade the RAM or hard drive yourself you’ll have to open up the case and void the warranty.

MSI is beginning to show off some of its newer netbooks and ultralight laptops at trade shows. And the folks at SlashGear recently caught up with MSI spokesman Andy Tung and got a closer look at the upcoming MSI Wind U123 netbook and the MSI X340 notebook with a 13.4 inch display and Intel CULV processor.

Tung confirmed that the Wind U123 will come with the new Intel Atom N280 CPU and advanced options like a built in TV tuner or 3G modem. The netbook will also come with a choice of a 6 cell, 5.5 hour battery or a 9 cell, 8 hour battery.

Tung also explained that the 13.4″ version of the MSI X340 is just the first model in the X-Slim line. The company also plans to introduce other sizes, including possibly a 15.6 inch version and an 11.6 version later this year. Those models could show up as soon as May or June.

You can check out SlashGear’s video with Andy Tung after the break. Meanwhile, Laptop Magazine’s Mark Spoonauer got to spend some hands on time with the X340, where he put the 1.2GHz CULV processors to the test and ran some benchmarks. The machine came out ahead of Intel Atom powered computers like the Samsung NC10 or Dell Inspiron Mini 12.

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MSI is expected to launch the Wind U123 netbook in Japan on April 11th. The latest netbook from MSI looks a lot like the MSI Wind U120, but it comes with the newer Intel Atom N280 CPU running at 1.66GHz. Like the U120 the MSI Wind U123 ships with 1GB of RAM, but unlike it’s predecessor, it can be upgraded to 2GB.

MSI has also added a product page for the U123 to its web site, along with pages for two variations of this model. The Wind U123T will have a built in TV-Tuner, while the U123H will have an HSDPA 3.5G modem.

Here’s a full rundown of the MSI Wind U123’s specs:

• CPU: 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280
• Display: 10.2″ 1024 x 600 pixels
• RAM: 1GB
• HDD: 80G/120GB/160GB
• Wireless: 802.11b/g or 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth option
• I/O: 3 USB ports, mic, headphone, Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader
• Webcam: 1.3MP or optional 2MP
• Battery: 3 or 6 cell
• Dimensions: 10.2″ x 7.1″ x 1.3
• Weight: 2.2 pounds with 3 cell battery

There’s also a rumor floating around that MSI will release the Wind U100 Plus (with an Intel Atom N280 CPU) in Japan on April 11th as well.

via Netbook Choice

Taking a page out of the Asus playbook, MSI seems determine to flood the market with netbook models this year. The MSI Wind U100 was a pretty big success for the company last year, and the new MSI Wind U120 basically takes the same components and puts them in a shiny new case with a 3G modem option. 

Now Laptop Magazine reports that MSI will also be putting out a Wind U123 netbook soon. Superficially, it will be a lot like the U120, but it will have a slightly faster processor, and upgradeable RAM. The MSI Wind U123 will use the new Intel Atom N280 CPU, which runs at 1.66GHz. And users will be able to upgrade the RAM to 2GB, although it’s likely MSI will only sell the netbook with up to 1GB preinstalled. 

The MSI Wind U123 is due out in April. The company expects to release the Wind U115 with an intel Atom Z530 CPU and combo hard drive/SSD storage system in late March. 

If you’re wondering what’s up with all the different model numbers, keep in mind the fact that MSI, like Asus, doesn’t have a system in place to let buyers customize their orders at checkout like HP and Dell do. That means you can’t just have a single unit with multiple storage and CPU options. So every incremental change winds up getting  its own model number.