MSI Wind U210 Pics, First Impressions

Looking for a netbook to buy for my girlfriend—she always talked about getting a laptop to work at home, but was too timid financially to walk the walk—I found a vendor selling an MSI Wind U210 for around $485. That’s more expensive than NewEgg’s price of $430, but the extra cash was well-spent on a 9-cell battery. Here’s what I did before handing the netbook over to my girlfriend:

Took Pictures

Here are some pictures of the MSI Wind U210, featuring the netbook in various angles. Click on a thumbnail to see a large-size version of the picture:

Used Ninite

Ninite, if you recall, lets visitors choose the applications they want and download a customized executable to facilitate their installation. Based on my SO’s preferences, and what I thought she’d need, here’s what I ticked off:

• Chrome
• Skype
• Yahoo Messenger
• iTunes
• VLC
• Picasa
• Microsoft Office (Trial Version)
• Adobe Reader
• AVG Free Anti-Virus 9.0
• Flash Installer for Other Browsers
• Java Runtime Environment Update 18
• uTorrent
• WinRAR

All in all, it took about an hour-and-a-half for everything to download and install. Since Ninite did everything in the background, I was able to get some work done while waiting.

Wrote down My First Impressions

The MSI Wind U210 was very responsive, running Windows 7 smoothly. Keep in mind however that I was using a brand-new gadget, with barely anything on it, so let’s see what happens after a few months of use. The unit itself is very light and compact, but the keyboard is still near full-size, and proved easy to type on with my relatively large fingers.

While the keyboard is snappy enough to facilitate touch-typing, it’s build quality was a bit suspect, with the entire key assembly depressing a bit whenever I’d press U, I, J, K. The rest of unit felt sturdy though, and the finish is shiny plastic, the kind that doesn’t seem like it will wear out or discolor after months of constant contact with the human hand.

By far the best feature of the MSI Wind U210—at least the one I got—is the 9-cell battery, which promises a long life away from the wall socket. After two and a half hours of installing the programs above and working—with WiFi on and the screen at full brightness—Windows 7 promised over 4 hours of operation. The longer battery life comes at a cost of less portability though, with the extra cells bulging out from underneath the unit.

Considered Buying One for Myself

To make a long story short, I’m actually very tempted to buy this netbook for myself. I’m now at a point where I value portability, a good keyboard, and long battery life, and the MSI Wind U210 so far delivered on these. The only issues I have are the lack of Bluetooth, and I’m wondering if I can get a variant that has the 3G SIM slot enabled. Still, a mini Bluetooth dongle shouldn’t cost more than $5 nowadays, and tethering the Wind U210 to my phone for 3G access isn’t that difficult anyway.

Other than that, MSI has managed to cram a good mix of features into a small yet usable form factor. The MSI Wind U210 is light, speedy, and lasts long on a single charge. I’m simply trying to justify not getting this netbook, given the price for what you get.

You can buy the MSI Wind U210 (6-cell version) from NewEgg here: MSI Wind U210-008US Black/Gray 12.1″ WXGA Netbook ($430)

Durabook D14RM: Military-Spec Rugged Notebook With HDMI Connectivity

Straight from the PR peeps representing Durabook are specs on the maker’s D14RM model. The base configuration of this 14.1″ laptop starts at $1519. For that price, you get the following specs:

• Intel® Pentium® Processor T4200 (1M Cache, 2.00 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
• 2GB of RAM
• 14.1″ display with 1366 x 1768 resolution
• 320GB 5400 rpm hard drive
• 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery
• 802.11a/g/n capability (WiFi)
• Windows Vista Home Basic

Surprisingly Bluetooth isn’t included in that package, as buyers are required to pay $50 more for this “extra”.

In any case, the D14RM adheres to the Military 810 F standard, which means it can shrug off drops, shocks, moisture, partly thanks to a magnesium alloy case that’s, according to the PR, “20 times stronger than ABS plastic”. Now the laptop’s innards probably won’t survive a three-story fall, but for constantly rocky conditions, it should continue operating properly.

The marketing calls the D14RM “slim and lightweight”, and that would be true when comparing it to other ruggedized laptops. That’s a stretch though when compared to your typical consumer electronics, when you’re talking about a 4-centimeter thickness and a weight of 2.5kg.

Interested buyers should visit the laptop’s product page on Durabook.com.

Alienware Launches M15x laptop, Bills it Most Powerful 15-Incher

The first to make use of Intel’s recently launched mobile Core i7 chips (codenamed “Clarksfield”), the specs of the Alienware M15x indicate that the company’s marketing is right on target. No doubt maxing out the configuration will result in a $4000+ laptop. However, at the starting price of $1500, here’s what you get:

• 512MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M
• Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz (2.8 GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
• 15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600 x 900 – WLED
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
• 3GB DDR3 – 1066MHz
• 250GB 5,400RPM
• Internal Wireless Bluetooth 2.1+ Enhanced Data Rate
• Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
• Ports:
  • IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port
  • Integrated Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 (1000 Mbps)
  • 3 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports (1 via USB 2.0 / eSATA combo port)
  • 1 eSATA (via USB 2.0 / eSATA Combo Port)
  • VGA, DisplayPort – Video Output
  • 8-in-1 Media Card Reader
  • ExpressCard Slot
  • 2 Audio Out Connectors
  • Audio In / Microphone Jack (retaskable for 5.1 audio)
  • Two Built-In Front Speakers
• Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
• Intel WiFi Link 5300 a/g/Draft-n 3×3 MIMO
• 6-cell battery

Impressive, though I think Alienware could’ve done better with the standard hard disk and battery. 250GB is definitely too small for enthusiasts nowadays, and 6-cell batteries are simply too weak to keep the action going away from the wall socket. Then again, this laptop isn’t exactly designed for typing out reflections at the neighborhood coffee shop, but then again, it’s nearly two inches thick when closed. Perhaps Alienware could’ve crammed more data and power capacity? In any case, the Alienware M15x is still a “portable” platform powerful enough to run practically any game or application on the market—most probably at a fast pace.

You can buy the Alienware M15x from Dell.com. Starting price is $1500. If you don’t have that much money to burn, you can check out the $700 gaming desktop.

The new Alienware M15x laptop, the world’s most powerful 15″ laptop.

Make That WiiMote Work With Your PC

Turns out someone figured how to make the Nintendo Wii Remote (affectionately known as the WiiMote) interface with a PC, of the Windows, Mac, and Linux variety. You just need the following:

• 1 Bluetooth Dongle (Cirago, $15)
• 1 Nintendo Wii Remote($36, free shipping)

Then, you can follow the instructions here. Personally though, I’m not sure if there are any worthy WiiMote apps for the computer. Yes, you can at the very least use a PC-enabled Wii Remote as a mouse (on Windows your use Wiinmote). But as anyone who’s played a Wii FPS will tell you, waving around a stick is nothing compared to precision-moving a mouse on top of the table.

Quad-Core Dell XPS 430 With 500GB HDD and 256MB GPU for $599

For the Labor Day Weekend, Dell.com’s slashed $190 off the XPS 430. Such a unit configured with the following specs:

• Intel® Core 2 Q8200 Quad-Core (4MB L2 cache,2.33GHz,1333FSB)
• 3GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz – 3 DIMMs
• 500GB – 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
• 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
• ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB
• Dell 19 in 1 Media Reader with Bluetooth

Thus retails for $599. The only thing missing? A monitor. Dell has told me this promo will only apply to the first 500 units, so if you’re looking for a decent computer powerful enough to run mid-range video games, with lots of space for data, I suggest you look into this as soon as you can.

Save $190 on the XPS 430 desktop. Only $599 with Quad core processor!

Aura BluNote Bluetooth Speakers Retailing for $99

The Aura BluNote is a speaker set that accepts music streams via the Blutooth A2DP format, making it compatible with a wide variety of devices including PCs, laptops, mobiles, gaming consoles, and portable media players. It thankfully comes with a 3.5mm input jack for devices that don’t support Bluetooth.

Make Spracht wants you to know that the BluNote can store up to 8 Bluetooth device profiles, runs on an AC adapter or 4 AA batteries (both are included in the package), promises good audio quality through its Stereo Widening and Bass Boost functionality. On top of that, as a speaker, the BluNote also supports hands-free, conference-type calls when hooked up to a mobile phone.

A full review to follow if and when Spracht sends in a demo unit. In the meantime you can check out the product page and buy the BluNote here for $99.

Rumored Dell Benzine Android Smartphone Specs

According to the source, here are the specs you should expect from Dell’s rumored Android smartphone, the so-called “Benzine” which is rumored as ready for launch:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE class 12
• Size: 68.6cc
• 103g grams weight
• Dimensions: 58 x 122 x 11.7mm
• Display: 3.5″ nHD 640×360 LCD, 18-bit, 262K colors
• OTA capable
• Microsoft Exchange support
• Google, AIM, Yahoo and MSN IM support
• 3 megapixel auto-focus, flash, 8x digital zoom camera with 30fps video shooting mode, built in photo editor
• USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• A-GPS
• On-screen QWERTY keyboard, hardwriting recognition, multi touch UI
• MicroSD slot

Pretty thin and full-featured, if you ask me. And unless the version of Android to run on this gadget was changed significantly, future buyers should expect a responsive experience.

Given the intentionally blurriness of the product pic, I’m calling this an intentional leak. In any case, updates as they become official to follow.

Source

Why Nokia Will Never be Big in the US

Unless US telcos change, Nokia will never be big in the US. Maybe even in the future

From my experience with Nokia, the Finnish manufacturer has always believed in providing phones that are open and interoperable. It does not work with telcos to intentionally limit its products’ functionality for the sake of more money (as in the case of Verizon’s Bluetooth-free Motorola v710). Nor has it taken the exclusivity route, never agreeing to make its high-profile models available only to subscribers of certain networks.

Wired.Com rightfully presents this stance as an obstacle to Nokia’s establishment on the US market. For some reason however, Wired quotes an analyst determined to make the telcos’ own stance sensible:

Carriers view Nokia as a company that puts its own brand ahead of its telecom partners, says Bubley. “Nokia puts a lot more stock in its own branding and marketing worldwide than other handset makers,” he says. “In North America their unwillingness to play a secondary role to carriers has hurt them.”

Granted, good business is always a win-win proposition. All parties involved must profit in some way, and Nokia should consider working with operators to offer subsidized handsets. It’s just that Nokia considers the customer a partner with equal footing, designing phones around their needs. US carriers, on the other hand, simply see subscribers as profit generators.

HTC Magic Pics and First Impressions

Known as the manufacturer’s first Android-powered device, the HTC Magic features the classic PDA-phone form factor. Featuring a minimalist exterior and basic controls underneath the generously-sized display, the Magic is also my first experience with Google’s mobile OS.

Doing away with the classic five-way navigator, the Magic relies on a small trackball for interface browsing and selection. The virtual keyboard is reminiscent of the iPhone’s, with the device emitting slight vibrations upon keypress as physical feedback.

The Android OS was very responsive, with none of the delays the characterize the interface of—dare I say it—Windows Mobile devices as recent as last year. My unfamiliarity with the OS limited my experimentation, but it was weird how it seemed impossible to select a photo from the gallery, open it, and send it to another device via Bluetooth.

I’ll try to secure a unit for review. So far though I was pretty impressed with the clean and minimalist impression both the HTC Magic and Google Android OS made on me. More so after the HTC Magic or the Android (or both) left an impression of reponsiveness. Perhaps that alone is enough to justify the phone’s decidedly high-end price (see buy links below), but we can only be sure after a few days of use.

DOJ to Investigate Phone Exclusivity Deals

Seems those those “exclusivity agreements for popular handsets” have attracted the attention of the US Department of Justice. On the agency’s unofficial (so far) agenda? Whether or not these exclusivity are anti-competitive.

Personally, I don’t really mind when a manufacturer and service provider agree to limit access to a particular phone. It’s just business after all, with the operator hoping to cash in on an eagerly-awaited gadget’s popularity, and the manufacturer enjoying a bigger share of the profits in return. It’s not anti-competitive when you’re trying to acquire any advantage to beat your competitors, more so when an exclusivity deal is strictly a B2B move.

What I do mind is an operator intentionally crippling a phone, apparently hoping its customers will pay for what should already be available to them. Anyone remember the RAZR from Verizon Wireless that had its Bluetooth disabled? The consensus regarding Nokia’s lackluster entry into the US is that the manufacturer doesn’t enjoy operator support because it refuses to cripple their phones for service providers. Another anecdote going around the tech journalism circles is that Palm took its sweet time integrating cellular and wireless connectivity into one device in an effort to remain operator-friendly.

And the specific deal that probably attracted the DOJ’s attention? Well, we all know how the newest iPhone still can’t do MMS and tethering—in the US. Such functionality is already available to European iPhone users, or to people who decided not to play the operator’s game.

Source

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