MSI LAUNCHES X-SLIM X350 WITH DUAL CORE

MSI first introduced its X-Slim line of notebooks at CES in January. Back then they had Intel Atom processors. Then MSI upgraded the notebooks to single core CULV processors such as the SU3500 and Core 2 Solo processor. And now MSI is giving these notebooks another performance boost. The company has just launched an MSI X350 notebook with a dual core Intel CULV processor.

The X350 is an ultra-thin notebook with a 13.4 inch display. It is an updated version of the X340. The notebook can be configured with either an Intel Pentium Dual Core SU4100 or Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor.

The MSI X350 will be available with 320GB to 500GB of storage space. 4-cell and 8-cell batteries are available. Other features include Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics, HDMI, 2GB of RAM and 1.3 MP webcam. The 13.4 inch display comes with 1366 x 768 pixels.

The X-Slim notebooks have always been compared to MacBook Air, even though the latter has much better specs and a much higher price tag. Despite getting a specs boost, the new MSI X-Slim X350 is no MacBook Air. But it is much better than a netbook.

MSI RELEASES NEW X410 X-SLIM NOTEBOOK

X410, the latest addition to the MSI X-Slim series of notebooks, is based on the AMD Neo platform. It is an update to the previous X400.

The MSI X410 has a 14 inch LED backlit display with 1366x768 pixels. It comes with an ATI Radeon X1250 GPU which is part of the Neo Platform. The GPU is powerful enough to handle HD 1080i video content. Up to 2GB of RAM can be installed on this notebook. The standard storage option is a 320GB hard disk drive. It can be upgraded to 500GB.

Other features include 1.3MP Webcam, optional Bluetooth, Wi-Fi b/g/n, an SD card reader, HDMI port and gigabit Ethernet. 4 or 8 cell battery options are available. The notebook also features AMD’s PowerNow! technology which is expected to improve battery life.

Pricing and Availability
No information regarding pricing or availability has been announced as yet.

MSI X-SLIM X340 REVIEW

The X-Slim X340 is a 13.4 inch super thin ultraportable laptop from MSI. It is powered by the new Intel Ultra Low Voltage SU3500 processor. Prices start at $899.

MSI X-Slim X340 Specifications:
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor: Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 CULV (1.4GHz, 800MHz FSB, 3MB cache)
Memory: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM (800MHz)
Hard Disk Drive: 320GB 5400 rpm SATA HDD
Display: 13.4-inch diagonal WXGA (glossy, 1366x768)
Graphics: Intel X4500M Integrated

Build and Design
The X340 is super thin. In many aspects the design is similar to that found on the Apple MacBook Air. Build quality is good. The display is satisfactory with the glossy screen surface offering reasonable color saturation and good contrast levels. Speaker performance isn’t very good. If you want to listen to music on this laptop you will have to use headphones.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is comfortable to type on and the layout is nice. The missing driver support for the touchpad prevents it from having many standard features. For instance, scrolling isn’t possible using the touchpad.

There are two USB ports and an SD card slot. With the SD card slot you can expand the internal storage or transfer images from your digital camera wirelessly. Additional ports include VGA, HDMI, headphone and mic. There is also a LAN connection.

Performance
Despite using an Intel Core 2 Solo processor, the X340 isn’t very fast. Performance isn’t much better than the netbooks using Intel Atom processor. But since this notebook comes with the powerful Intel X4500 integrated graphics, it can play even 720p HD video without much trouble.
The notebook comes with a 4-cell 32Wh battery. The battery life is average at above 3 hours. An optional 8-cell is offered.
Pros:

Super thin and lightweight
Nice display

Cons:

The doesn’t doesn’t have any driver support
Keyboard isn’t very good
Not as fast as MacBook Air or HP dv2z

MSI BRINGING 14-INCH X-SLIM X400 LAPTOP FROM THE ORIENT

This does not seem at all unlikely since MSI has been copying a few pages from the venerable ASUS play book. In any case MSI leaked in their company event in Japan this weekend that a 14-inch variant of the X-SLIM laptop line will be coming.

MSI X-SLIM X430 SHIPPING NOW

Well guys, its finally here, the new X-SLIM X430. And it is shipping with a starting price of only $899.99. You might be wondering what you're getting for that price, and although we already covered it on this blog we will refresh your memory.

MSI CULV X-SLIM X340 SHIPPING TO US THIS MONTH

Remember back at CES MSI came clean on those one inch notebooks that would carry Atom and CULV processors? Well said notebooks will be available sometime later this month here in the states and they will be for about $1,000.

MSI X-SLIM X340 CULV NOT UNDER $1K

We are thankful for Engadget pointing this out, apparently MSI is taking us for a joyride with their pricing schemes. We were told back in January that the X-SLIM laptops would be under the $1k price tag. Well from what we are seeing, its starting at $1,099.

MSI UNVEILS X-SLIM X340 AND X600

MSI has unveiled its new X-Slim X340 and X600 ultra slim laptops. Both laptops which resemble the MacBook-Air but with a better functional packaging and an affordable price was announced by MSI way ahead of their scheduled release at the CeBIT.

The X-Slim X340 has a 13.4-inch display powered by Intel Penryn ULV processor with GMA 4500 graphics. It is expected to come with WiMAX or 3.5G connectivity and will weigh 1.3 Kg.

The X-Slim X600 has a 15.6-inch display. Both the laptops are Centrino 2 based and will offer HDMI and VGA output. In addition to the USBs the X600 will also sport an eSATA port.

Other than the expected price of the X340, which can be anywhere between $699 and $999, not much information about the specifications of these two laptops are available yet.

More detailed informations on the X-Slim models will be available at CeBIT, which is just a few weeks away.

MSI UNVEILS ULTRA-THIN X-SLIM 320

It didn't take long for everyone to spoof Apple's Macbook Air in an envelope ad. But few manufacturers were able to top that. In recent months that has changed and MSI is one of those companies that will be showing off their new ultra-portable at CES which is thin enough to hit in an envelope.