MSI U210x
This is my first review about a netbook. Heck this is my first ever review about anything computer or electronics.
I got myself an MSI U210x netbook after selling my Asus 14″ laptop last December. I decided to sell my Asus because I need something very light that I can carry with me every day without the need for a bulky backpack or big laptop case. I bought this netbook after the holiday season because I usually shop after Christmas break.
MSI Wind U210x Specifications:
- 1.6GHz AMD Athlon Neo X2 Dual Core Processor L335
- 2GB 800MHz DDR2 (1 Dimm)
- 12.1″ WXGA LED-Backlit Widescreen Display (1366×768)
- 320GB 5400RPM Western Digital 2.5” SATA Hard Drive
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1270 Graphics
- 1.3MP Webcam
- 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless, 1Gb LAN
- 4-in-1 card reader
- 9-Cell Li-ion 86WH battery
- HDMI port
- Dimensions: (W x L x H) 11.71″ x 7.49″ x 0.55-1.22″
- Weight: 3lbs 1oz (with 9-cell battery)
- Price as configured: $495
MSI U210x is an AMD Neo dual core powered netbook. AMD Neo processor is the latest offering from AMD specifically for netbooks. Rated at 1.6 ghz which has plenty of computing power for this category. The ATI Radeon 1270 graphics card (beats the competition in its class) can play games you didn’t think a netbook can like Call of Duty 4.The MSI version I got has a 320GB Sata hard drive and a 12.1 inch high definition LCD screen at 16:9 ratio. A 9 cell battery which last up to 7 hours depending on what you are doing and a B/G/N wifi adapter that capable of 300mbps connection with another N wifi router. It also comes with 1.3MP webcam.
What's inside the box
Build and Design
Out of the box, the MSI u210x is as shiny as it can be. It’s is very nice but it’s prone also to finger prints and maybe scratches too. Build is nice and sturdy. The design looks elegant and flushed. The only thing I don’t like is the quality of the keyboard material. Feels cheap and the keys around the K key feels tacky. The 9 cell battery serves as a stand and it puts more gap between the bottom of the netbook and the desk which gives more airflow.
Performance
Because this is a netbook, it doesn’t have a DVD-Rom so I need either an external DVD drive (which I don’t have) or a USB installer. I had to prepare my USB flash drive and copy the windows 7 installation files so I can install it from there.
Installation is a breeze. I inserted my USB flash drive with Windows 7 to one of MSI’s u201x USB port and press the power button and it booted right away from the USB and Windows 7 installation begins and finished in less than half an hour.
Once again I had to copy the device drivers from the CD to USB so I can install it on the netbook. After installing all the drivers, I started installing other essential softwares like MS Office, MS Antivirus and other stuff as well.
Booting the netbook is fast and only takes 45 seconds from the time I pressed the power button to showing its desktop. This netbook is very responsive unlike most 10 inch netbooks in the market that will take a few seconds more to open an application.
This little beast can handle Photoshop and other editing applications with ease. It can also multi-task like with a dozen browsers running while there are Excel and Word in the background and I’m listening to some music.
MSI U210x features
Features
Wifi connection is very good too and it almost always has a good signal. The keys on the keyboard are full sized but I still prefer the keys on my Asus laptop. I don’t like the material used on this one and typing isn’t as nice as my old Asus laptop nor the 9 inch Acer Aspire One I got last year.
Touch pad is one of the best I’ve tried and its also very responsive. I am using Synaptics driver and all features works like virtual scrolling and double taps, etc.
This netbook also has a HDMI connection which is not usual for a netbook. I connected it to our 37″ Samsung LCD and the graphics is as clear as it can be. I also tried playing HD movies from this netbook connected to the Samsung LCD TV and it really came out high definition. The only thing that will keep me from watching from my netbook through the 37″ Samsung is the sound will come out of the TV instead of our Samsung home theater. Battery life tested between 5 hours to 7 hours depending on what I’m doing.
MSI via HDMI on Samsung LCD
HDMI Port
These days almost everything is digital. HDMI or High Definition Multi Media Interface is becoming the industry standard for connecting TV’s, home theaters and computers and even gaming consoles. More and more products are shipping with HDMI ports so if your netbook or laptop has one then it is future proof. HDMI transmits both audio and video so no need for another set of audio wires.
The main thing about having an HDMI port in your netbook is you can watch and play games on a bigger screen. Let’s face it, a netbook has a small screen (this one with 12.1 screen is the largest for a netbook) and you may want to use a bigger screen when you are at home. So you just plugged it in and presto, the webpage will come alive and that High Definition movie you’ve just downloaded is surely appear better in your 40″ Plasma TV.
I’ve tried connecting a netbook before via VGA port and the text is almost unreadable. With HDMI, you can see everything in details.
So if you want a netbook that comes with a good screen size at 12.1″ and a good graphics card that able to play some games like Call of Duty 4 with full keyboard then this is the netbook for you. The price is a bargain too at 23k pesos (6 mos to pay) or roughly $498. Other netbooks are priced the same but with less features and slower processor.
High Definition LCD
The pros and cons
Pros:
1. Bargain price
2. AMD Neo dual core processor
3. ATI Radeon graphics card
4. Full size keyboard
5. high definition 12.1 (16:9) LCD
6. 320GB Sata Hard drive
7. 9 cell battery
8. Very light weight even with 12.1 LCD screen
Cons:
1. Cheap feeling plastic material on keyboard
2. Finish is prone to scratches and finger prints if your not careful
3. Can’t think of anything else
This is the perfect netbook for the price under $500. It can do what most desktops can do at a fraction of the weight.
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It is really a fully load one. The most important is the processor and the hard drive and the rest follows. It is really needed to be careful on taking care of any kinds of netbook. I think not much on its Cons and that is good for a netbook to buy.
Great review regarding MSI.
Thank you for leaving your comment here. I appreciate it. Yes I agree, this netbook got some of the best specs in its class. This is my first MSI computer and I like it.
ZXT´s last blog ..What’s Hot on YouTube
Great review! I have never heard of the brand MSI before, but I will check it out. I live in the United States, and usually when I go to Best Buy, I see ASUS, ACER, and I even saw a NOKIA netbook. The one thing they are ALWAYS missing is the HDMI port. That is crucial for me! I’ve never owned a netbook before and I need to hook up my computer to a TV. Thanks for sharing this.
Josh@NADA Blue Book´s last blog ..Why a Good RV Mattress Will Save Your Health and Sanity
Hi Josh,
MSI is a brand originally known for its excellent motherboards. Like Asus and Acer, MSI is from Taiwan and Taiwan products are Major players in computer industry.
I just updated the article with a picture of MSI Netbook hooked via HDMI port into 37″ Samsung LCD.
Thanks for leaving a comment here.
ZXT´s last blog ..Buying the Right Wi-Fi Router
hi zxt,
watta a nice name.. zxt cymbals is made from sheet bronze instead of being cast. It has a great sounds and great finish. Full of bright, projecting sounds, some very interesting ones too. Oh, im sorry for the OT. hehe.. I was once used that cymbals before… anyways, watta nice review. What i love about this netbook is, the HDMI port, size, and the PRICE.. haha.. actually, last December of 2009, i was about to buy an asus, acer or compaq netbook/laptop because of their brand and they’re already gained respect in the industry but when the staff offered me the specs of this netbook and its price, all i said is, really? then i started to ask this netbook to my bestfriend (google.com) to check for any review, and its amazed me. Then next day, i started to check for this netbook because they said it is selling like a hot cakes and finally, i got myself one…. 4 thumbs up.. it really rocks.. \m/
Glad you like the review and nice to see a TPC peeps here in my blog. MSI is really getting a good grip of the netbook share from Asus. I hope they keep on making low price netbooks but with great specs.
ZXT´s last blog ..Sunday’s Babe of the Week
bro what resolution did you use for your 37inch LCDTV?
The one in the pic is only 1024 x 768 (by default). You can adjust it to fill the blank at the sides, top and bottom by scaling at Catalyst panel under HDMI. Now I’m using 1776 x 1000 and there’s still little blank spots around but it gives much better picture.
ZXT´s last blog ..Buying the Right Wi-Fi Router
oh ok. have you tried setting it to 1920×1080?
1920 x 1080 is too large as the task bar will disappear at the bottom and same thing with all sides.
ZXT´s last blog ..Sunday’s Babe of the Week
ok thanks bro
I just received this notebook for as my Valentine’s gift from my partner and I must agree that the specs are truly one of the best.
Just don’t get surprised by the boot-time or speed, it’s because you’ve got one of the most powerful netbooks so you’re experiencing it
but on normal netbooks, XP seems to be beating Windows 7. I really would like to see vendors putting in dual-core processors in netbooks, it’s already so low-power but the amount of applications today are being built, they’re just too much heavy for netbooks and with Intel atom processor already designed for low-end it becomes really difficult. These days browsers eat so much memory and processor that it becomes difficult to focus on other things. But doing so would put netbook and notebooks nearly on the same level, I mean for over $100-$150, you could have had a notebook with a larger screen and maybe dual core pentium or core2duo. This netbook has got dedicated graphics card too which has impressed me a lot and it’ll go well with the dual-core power it has.
Enjoy this netbook, great review buddy!
Thanks…I’m glad we have the same thought on this netbook.
Hey, great review! The only piece of information that you missed out is whether the screen is matte or glossy.. those who plan to use their netbook outdoor frequently should avoid glossy screen.
you’re right I’ve missed that part. This netbook has a glossy screen.
This is it. With a small lightweight netbook you have to compromise on certain aspects. Like the material, cheap plastic feel. Netbooks are getting better though from what they used to be.
I really like my netbook. I find I use my blackberry for most of my business during the day, but when on a trip or traveling I always pack my netbook for more comfortable surfing and communication.
I also got the dual core version of this, the MSI U210x, really love this netbook, it so light and I like the speed.
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This is the dual core version, the MSI U210x. The single core is the MSI U210.
ZXT´s last blog ..Do you know how you can get a 20-80 return on your money painlessly
I never heard of MSI? What country is that company based out of? Good review though