MSI Wind U100 gets new CPU – now uses Atom N280 processor

MSI’s Wind U100 with new CPU was announced back in April and finally it is here. The (new) Wind U100 Plus features an Atom N280 CPU and this means you get a slightly higher clock speed, 1.66HHz to be exact, and a 667MHz bus versus 533MHz on the N270.

Rest of the specs remain unchanged, but there’s is barely much to change as it already has just about everything Intel and Microsoft allow on a Windows XP based netbook, i.e. 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive

Even after the processor update, the prices are expected to stay the same, and the new version should not cost more than the old N270-based Wind. It will be available in two new colors: Rose Champagne and Metallic Blue.

Intel relaxes its rules for Netbook displays – Higher resolution (1366×768) now allowed on N-Series Atom netbooks

N-Series Intel Atom processors were allowed to be used in netbooks with display resolutions upto 1024×600. Now, Intel has relaxed the rules a bit and has allowed the netbook manufactures to use up to 1366 x 768, which is the same resolution as sported by the newly released, Sony VAIO W. However, this change does not applies to netbooks more than 10.2-inches. Only the netbooks that have screen size upto 10.2-inches can use the high resolution along with Atom N270 or N280 CPU.

Asus Eee PC 1002HAE launched in Japan – dressed in Aluminum

Eee PC 1002HAE – the E appearing about ‘HA’ in the model number for the elegance in looks. Asus will be releasing its new netbook by 16th May in Japan. The 1002HAE is a faster version of the 1002HA with a N280 processor. The other striking feature of this netbook is the aluminum skin its been cloaked with to give it an elegant and stylish look. Wow! The other features of the 1002HA have been retained and are:

• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• 10-inch widescreen
• 1024 x 600 LED backlit display
• 1.3 MP webcamera
• memory card slot
• 3.8-hour Li-Polymer battery
• Wifi
• the weight drops from 1.45kg to 1.2kg

The netbook has been priced at ¥49,800 (about $506), tax inclusive. Its release for international markets is not known as of now. READ THE REVIEW of ASUS EEE 1002HA

Intel Atom N280 versus Intel Atom N270

Intel introduced N280 this year which is set to replace the N270 Intel Atom processor. The N280 is marginally faster (1.66GHz) than the N270 (1.6GHz).

Click on read more to find out who wins.

MSI U123, U123T and U123H netbooks launched

MSI U123 is the successor of now aging U100. The U123 comes with 2GB RAM and uses the N280 Intel Atom processor. The MSI has also launched MSI U123H, which is similar to the U123 except for the fact that it comes with built-in 3.5G. The U123T comes with a built-in TV tuner card, which will let you watch (and record) TV programs on your netbook.

However, it is not a huge upgrade. I was looking forward to higher resolution. 1024 x 600 is nice but 1280 x 800 is something I would have really appreciated.

One piece of information that the MSI is repeatedely mentioning in the news release is the massive capacity of U123, which is 160GB. What? We have been using the 160GB HDD in our netbooks from quite sometime. In fact, it is a standard feature in netbooks these days and there is no need to mention it 4 times in the news release.

Intel to increase price of Atom N270 in China

From the past couple of months, a lot of (white-box) netbook manufactures have entered the netbook market. As a result of that,  the supply of the N270 is able to meet the huge demand of the manufactures. Intel has decided to increase the price of the N270 Atom processor to the extent that the price [...]