Basically, this is the same netbook as the older U110—same 1.6GHz Atom, same lack of dedicated graphics (it’s got an integrated chip rather than the newer ATI Radeon HD3200 card), same 1GB memory and same 160GB hard drive. It’s also offered with either Windows XP or Vista. The only difference here is that giant 9-cell battery which supposedly gives a 15-hour run, and I guess the “Eco” name, which doesn’t seem to refer to any particular environmental update. List price is $US430, though Newegg has it right now for $US400. [MSI]

However, Intel tells us that it has not nailed down the launch of Pine Trail yet, though maintains it will ship products to its customers before the end of the year. MSI hopes to be first to market with Pine Trail netbooks, including its 10-inch convertible U150 with Windows 7.

Either way, the sooner we get a newer Atom the better (also keep in mind the next version of the all-popular Atom also differs by blending the CPU and GPU on the same chip). According to MSI’s Andy Tung, Pine Trail is showing improved graphics performance and at least 20 percent better power consumption.

Either way, here is hoping the netvertible with its planned resistive touchscreen performs better than ASUS’ Eee PC T91. However its lack of a capacitive screen and multitouch support means it won’t support any of Windows 7’s cool Touch Pack apps.

But before going touch, MSI will release the 12-inch Wind U210, which like the recently released Gateway LT3100, has AMD’s Yukon platform rather than Intel’s Atom. MSI will offer it in two different skus, including one with Windows XP, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive for $US379 and another with Vista Premium for $US429. The U210 will be available in the U.S. during the first weeks of September.

Following handwritten correspondence and a voicemail, I’m fairly certain that “Macwind” is just one industrious high school kid with a nice website.

But Macwind has requested this review, and how could I possibly pass it up?

So Apple, I plead that you go easy on “Craig,” the owner of Macwind, even if his practice of preloading OS X onto netbooks for resale (using publicly available tutorials, I’m sure) is pretty unquestionably a breach of one or more laws.

His site shares your aesthetics, and the MSI Wind he’s selling, loaded with a 1.6GHz atom, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive and of course, OS 10.5.8, is really a pretty good product even for the $US100 premium over a stock U100.

You guys should sell these things!

Because the build is solid with all the necessary drivers preloaded (some of which MSI has actually “leaked” themselves). The 1024×600 screen displays your desktop beautifully, while most of they keyboard’s function keys are operational (like brightness, volume and sleep).

You can even pop in an SD card to expand the storage, just like your latest Macbooks!

But alas, we know that you know that you must shut Craig down. We won’t frown upon your actions. After all, just because the kid is young doesn’t excuse him from your trademarks and copyrights.

We just ask that you go easy on him. Make him cry, sure, but pity him, too. Don’t crush him with a lifetime of legal debt. A kind call from Steve Jobs, a middle manager or one of those attractive ladies in Apple will probably clear up any legal misunderstandings. (His number is on the site, otherwise I’ll be happy to provide it.)

And maybe, while Craig’s first garage-based computer business has failed him, his next one will not. [Macwind (currently down)]

No installs needed.

Reasonable price for the laziest among us.

Oh right, this operation can’t be legal.

A kid might go to jail or something.

According to the author of the hack, the iPhone 3G took 2 hours and 22 minutes to fully recharge, leaving 50% of the power in the MSI Wind battery. The hack also includes a normal jack to provide with 12v power to any other device.

[Prusadjs]

Of course, this could be a symptom of wider software optimisations or just a false alarm altogether. If it’s true though, this is great news—aside from a few awkward interface difficulties, diminished battery life is (or was) the best argument against giving OS X a try on your netbook.

Hackintoshers: comment if you’ve noticed anything like this. [MSI Wind Forums via Gadget Lab]

MSI has gotten more official with its Wind Top AE1900—the nettop that only needs a 45W trickle of power—finally giving us a price: $US529. Which is cheaper than some “netbooks” nowadays.

MSI Eco-Friendly All-in-One PC, Wind Top AE1900, features touch screen, sleek and
green design at an affordable price of $529

See this and other MSI Desktop models at the Pepcom EcoFocus Green Technology Showcase in
New York City April 29th from 6pm – 9pm

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – April 21, 2009 – MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is excited to announce the MSI Wind Top AE1900. The AE1900 is a complete home computing solution featuring touch-sensitive PC navigation, a true 16:9 widescreen 18.5-inch screen, SRS Premium Sound and a sleek modern design that fits in with any décor.

The MSI Wind Top AE1900 features the Intel® Atom 230 Processor and runs Windows® XP Home operating system. It features a built-in webcam and microphone to insure convenient audio and video recording. Continuing along MSI’s tradition of “green” computing, the MSI Wind Top AE1900 consumes 80% less energy then a traditional desktop PC. At full operation, the MSI Wind Top AE1900 consumes no more then 50 watts of power.

MSI also included a spacious 160 GB SATA 2.5 inch hard drive, 4 USB ports, a 4-1 card reader and ships the MSI Wind Top AE1900 with a stylish matching mouse and keyboard. The ultra-silent, state-of-the-art cooling system eliminates traditional cooling fan noises and keeps the sound level to no more than 26 decibels.

The MSI Wind Top AE1900 features MSI Wind Touch; allowing for easy user interface with all PC functions. Additionally, picture viewing has never been easier or more fun with MSI Easy Viewer. Users can quickly browse, enlarge, rotate and scan through all your images with the swipe of a finger. Lastly, data entry using natural handwriting or the touch on-screen keyboard and the SoftStylus™ program is now easier then ever. Please visit www.msicomputer.com/msiaio for a user-friendly and dedicated webpage designed specifically for MSI All-in-One PC.

[MSI]

This bests the already respectable 13-hour life of an MSI Wind armed with a 6-cell battery.

For his unofficial test, Johannes used Battery Eater set to its lowest setting. This is obviously as bare bones as you’re going to get, so it’s not unsurprising that he was able to achieve 25 hours, 4 minutes. However, even when you factor in what the time would have been if the netbook was being used for web surfing or other netbook-related tasks, you’d have to think the 9-cell would get 18 hours or so, as Liliputing suggests. [EeePC.de via Liliputing]

After pelting MSI with unlikely requests for OS X driver support, a number of users on the MSIWind.net forums have received responses from the company, written in the “Dear Sir/Madam” parlance of a Nigerian scammer but nevertheless containing an early version of working Wi-Fi drivers for the Wind’s Realtek RTL8187SE Wi-Fi module. The driver doesn’t allow the card to be used like a regular Airport adaptor, but according to users connects just fine through Realtek client software.

Forum-goers are floating copies on a couple of ephemeral hosting sites, so head over to the thread and give it a shot. [MSIWind Forums via GottaBeMobile]