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- Large screen
- Comfortable keyboard
- Fast performance
- Expensive
- Poor battery life
Reviewer opinions vary a little depending on which configuration of the MSI Wind mini laptop they test, but even the most negative find little to complain about save for battery life. Upgrade to a long-running six-cell battery, and most say that it's a robust performer and a pleasure to use. Major pluses include a 10-inch display and a keyboard that's comfortable to use despite being smaller than one on a full-sized laptop. The most recommended configuration includes 1 GB of RAM, a 160 GB hard drive and a six-cell battery that lasts more than five hours between charges in tests. If your budget is a little tighter, the Acer Aspire One AOD150 (*Est. $330) gets tons of respect for its sheer value and good performance.
With lots of configurations available, it's no surprise that no two reviewers have looked at the exact same version of the MSI Wind mini laptop. That said, all are at least moderately impressed, with the most positive comments coming from those who've examined the mini laptop with its more powerful six-cell battery. Good reviews can be found in Laptop Magazine, CNET and PCMag.com. England's Bit-tech.net also has some useful insights, and user reviews can be found at Amazon.com.
Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Sapphire Blue Netbook - 6.5 Hour Battery Life
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| MSI Wind U100-641US 10-Inch Black Netbook - 3 Cell Battery | |
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Our Sources
1. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine looks at the MSI Wind configured with an 80 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM and a six-cell battery in a report that is exceptionally detailed. Joanna Stern is impressed by the MSI Wind's performance and endurance, and the magazine awards it an Editors' Choice designation.
Review: MSI Wind U100 Review, Joanna Stern, June 3, 2008
Even though PCMag.com looks at the MSI Wind configured with its wimpier three-cell battery, tester Cisco Cheng is still impressed enough to give it an Editors' Choice award. PCMag's reporting is notably less detailed than Laptop Magazine's coverage, but at least includes the results of bench testing.
Review: MSI Wind, Cisco Cheng, July 22, 2008
3. CNET
CNET says that the MSI Wind strikes the "optimal netbook balance between portability and usability." However, Matthew Elliott issues some demerits for its lack of a six-cell battery (since rectified) and no solid-state drive option.
Review: MSI Wind U100-002LA, Editors of CNET, Updated March 10, 2010
4. Bit-tech.net
Bit-tech.net's review is long, unflinching and a bit irreverent in spots. Lots of positives are found, including great usability. Negatives are short battery life in the three-cell-battery version they tested and value compared to a very similar mini laptop that's not available in the U.S.
Review: MSI Wind 100, Editors of Bit-tech.net, July 4, 2008
5. Amazon.com
There are more than 120 user reviews for the MSI Wind in our recommended configuration here, and most reviews are positive with a few little quibbles about the speakers and the quality of the hinges.
Review: MSI Wind U100-432US, Contributors to Amazon.com
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Acer Aspire One 722-BZ197 Netbook - Black
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