Jump to content
38 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

(link to original story, in french)

 

http://www.macbidouille.com/news/2009-01-08/#17736

 

It's called the MSI X320.

 

Apart from the connection bay and the different logo (which also glows on the side), the laptop is an almost perfect carbon copy of the Macbook Air.

 

LED backlit with a higher resolution (1333x768) than the Air (1280x800) , but it uses an Intel ATOM processor instead.

 

It should be marketed much cheaper than the Air, around $900.

 

Pics in the article.

Link to comment
https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/145617-msi-breaks-out-the-photocopiers/
Share on other sites

Actuellement, that would make the MSI machine's screen closer to 16:9 compared to the Air's 16:10. Just slightly wider than a 720P HDTV's resolution of 1280x768.

 

In an overall "scan lines" approach, the Air has more lines of resolution and 256 MORE actual pixels on-screen.

 

So, actually, the Air has higher resolution. But barely.

 

/nitpicking.

The problem with this is that it is powered by an Atom processor rather than a Core 2 (like the MacBook Air). So while it may well look like an Air, it won't have anywhere near the same grunt. And the Air was never meant to be a speed demon either!

 

This is more like a Netbook in a fancy body.

 

another review of the MSI x320

 

I can't find any actual specifications yet beyond the fact that it is running the Intel Menlow platform. This was originally intended for use in MID/UMPC devices.

 

For a good looking sub-notebook, I'm liking the new Sony Vaio P, also launched this week at CES:

 

sony-pt-001.jpg

 

Now that would make a nice little HackBook! More information on the Vaio P at Engadget.com

 

Not sure about the specs of this either. Could also be Menlow-based given the physical size of the components in the breakdown shots (small!!).

The problem with this is that it is powered by an Atom processor rather than a Core 2 (like the MacBook Air). So while it may well look like an Air, it won't have anywhere near the same grunt. And the Air was never meant to be a speed demon either!

 

This is more like a Netbook in a fancy body.

 

another review of the MSI x320

 

I can't find any actual specifications yet beyond the fact that it is running the Intel Menlow platform. This was originally intended for use in MID/UMPC devices.

 

For a good looking sub-notebook, I'm liking the new Sony Vaio P, also launched this week at CES:

 

sony-pt-001.jpg

 

Now that would make a nice little HackBook! More information on the Vaio P at Engadget.com

 

Not sure about the specs of this either. Could also be Menlow-based given the physical size of the components in the breakdown shots (small!!).

 

-Key Specifications-

Manufacturer: Sony

Model: VGN-P598E / Q

Product Family: Sony Vaio

Color: (s)Black, Champagne Gold, Red

MSRP: $899

Release Date: February 2009

 

CPU Type: Intel Atom Z250

CPU Speed: 1.33 GHz

Multi-Core Type: None

Number of Processors: 1

64-bit Processor: No

Bus Speed: 533 MHz

Chipset: Unavailable

Cache Type: L2 cache

Cache Size: 512 MB

Standard RAM: 2 GB

Max RAM: 2 GB

RAM Type: DDR2 SDRAM

RAM Speed: 533 MHz

RAM Slots: 2

Standard HDD Size: 60 GB

Hard Drive Type: SATA, SSD

Hard Drive Speed: Unavailable

Storage Controller: SATA

Memory Card Reader: Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick PRO Duo, MMC, SD Memory Card

Screen Size: 8 in.

Screen Type: LCD (TFT active matrix)

Max Resolution: 1,600 x 786

Widescreen Display: Yes

Display Features: LED Backlight technology

Graphics Processor: Intel GMA 500

Video RAM: 760 MB shared

Video Output: VGA

Video Input: None

TV Tuner: None

Audio Output Type: 3.5mm Stereo Headset

Audio Input Type: None

Camera Type: Built-in camera

Camera Resolution: Unavailable

Wired Ethernet: None

Modem: None

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)

Bluetooth: Bluetooth

Cellular: 3G

USB 1.0: None

USB 1.0 mini: None

USB 2.0: 2x

USB 2.0 mini: None

Firewire 400: None

Firewire 800: None

PC Card Expansion Slot: None

 

What a piece of {censored} netbook :hysterical: Not good for a HackBook ;)

You're right - that spec is just as awfull as the MSI. So, there's two nice looking machines with internals that are loads of {censored} :(

 

I think the only thing that kill the Sony for a nice Hackbook is the Intel GMA 500

the MSI XSlim wouldnt be such a great hackbook air until someone will be kind and VERY skilled at building drivers for the GMA500 (the Z530 Atom proccessor is usually based on the GMA500 chipset)

either that or either Apple will announce that the new rumored Mac Mini features a GMA500 graphics processor (which is VERY unlikely) and build drivers for it :(

 

until then im sticking with my white MSI Wind

(link to original story, in french)

 

http://www.macbidouille.com/news/2009-01-08/#17736

 

It's called the MSI X320.

 

Apart from the connection bay and the different logo (which also glows on the side), the laptop is an almost perfect carbon copy of the Macbook Air.

 

LED backlit with a higher resolution (1333x768) than the Air (1280x800) , but it uses an Intel ATOM processor instead.

 

It should be marketed much cheaper than the Air, around $900.

 

Pics in the article.

 

For the English speeking fellows, macbidouille has a English site version called Hardmac and you can read the news in English here :

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009-01-09/#9406 ;)

the MSI XSlim wouldnt be such a great hackbook air until someone will be kind and VERY skilled at building drivers for the GMA500 (the Z530 Atom proccessor is usually based on the GMA500 chipset)

either that or either Apple will announce that the new rumored Mac Mini features a GMA500 graphics processor (which is VERY unlikely) and build drivers for it ;)

 

until then im sticking with my white MSI Wind

 

Agree 100%. This Xslim looks great but it's not a good hackbook at the moment.

the MSI XSlim wouldnt be such a great hackbook air until someone will be kind and VERY skilled at building drivers for the GMA500 (the Z530 Atom proccessor is usually based on the GMA500 chipset)

either that or either Apple will announce that the new rumored Mac Mini features a GMA500 graphics processor (which is VERY unlikely) and build drivers for it ;)

 

until then im sticking with my white MSI Wind

 

That's good to know, I've been wondering what graphics the XSlim would potentially have. The 9400m was just too dang good to be true :wacko:

My thoughts:

The specs on the Air are so far different from this MSI X320 that it's a sin to put them in the same category. I am life PC user that hates MS for their paranoia and arrogance and loves Apple for their "getting-it-right" corporate mentality. The continued success of the iPod/iPhone is the lesson for everyone to see yet no one manufacturer gets it. Even when we go back to the original design of the aluminum Macbook pro, it's there. Yet again, the rest of the PC industry gets it wrong with their knock-off approach. Let me boldly state this unqualified statement about this iPod/iPhone/Macbook:

These devices are not the ubiquitous electronics that you think they are. They are design with the concept of jewelry. Each design is taken a step forward beyond the usual functionality. If you hold or touch one, you will see. Of course I never pay any extra bucks for something that does not yield extra functionality. That is why I am in this hackintosh forum. Apple gears are in my opinion are of top notch quality and unsurpassed innovation. Evidently you cannot please everyone with their whimsycal desire (the Air only has 1 USB port) but Apple covers most basic ones. Now I were one of those companies with vast resources such as Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and the like, I would not let the geeky and nerdy engineers design a copy-cat version. I would hire a time of jewelry designers to sketch the outer skins and call out specs that make the device look and feel like something that would last a decade, then force the engineers to design the innards that reward users with replaceable components like battery, wifi card, HD, optical drive. The porfit margin is so huge that these makers can produce these devices with similar quality to the Apple products and still make a killing. The MSI X320 is a joke. It's no different than the $300 plastic brother while the Air is in a class by itself. Come on man, if you are too cheap to hire jewelry designer, then go to Thailand and hire knock-off artists that churn out beautiful famous watches with 98% quality of the real thing but sell for $100. By the way, these fake watches have real swiss movements made by the swiss watch industry so they keep perfect time.

I recently got an MSI Wind, and it makes a SERIOUSLY good hackbook. It was on sale for $350, and to be quite honest while it isn't in exactly the same class as the Macbook Air, the power for price difference is worth it by a long shot! The best thing about it, is that in a week or so when i get my wireless card replacement, it will be 100% vanilla with every piece of hardware working native! (Current wifi card works too, just no airport and the Mac utility is very buggy)

I recently got an MSI Wind, and it makes a SERIOUSLY good hackbook. It was on sale for $350, and to be quite honest while it isn't in exactly the same class as the Macbook Air, the power for price difference is worth it by a long shot! The best thing about it, is that in a week or so when i get my wireless card replacement, it will be 100% vanilla with every piece of hardware working native! (Current wifi card works too, just no airport and the Mac utility is very buggy)

 

I've been considering ebaying my old powerbook in favour of getting something like that. You definitely piqued my attention with your post, 100% vanilla is really intriguing.

×
×
  • Create New...