Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2009/04/02/msi_wind_u115/

MSI names UK date, price for 'hybrid' netbook

HDD and SSD on board

By James Sherwood

Posted in Personal Tech, 2nd April 2009 14:40 GMT

MSI has finally announced when its netbook incorporating both a solid-state drive and hard disk will arrive in Blighty.

MSI U115

MSI's U115: has a 160GB HDD and an 8GB SSD

The Wind U115 – first seen back in January – will feature a 160GB HDD and an 8GB SSD. There’s no mention of a 16GB SSD and 120GB HDD alternative set-up mentioned when the machine was unveiled in Taiwan.

MSI's notion is that Windows XP can be quickly booted off the SSD, leaving the HDD for data, spinning up only when it's needed.

A shortcut key lets the user deactivate the HDD at whim, while still being able to access the SSD.

Based around Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor and US15W chipset, the machine also features 1GB of DDR 2 memory.

MSI U115

Small but not cheap

It has a 10in, 1024 x 600 display, is fitted with a 1.3Mp webcam and allows for web access over 802.11n. Bluetooth 2.0 is also included.

Built into the body are three USB ports and a four-in-one memory card reader. The six-cell battery is said to last for over 12 hours – a figure MSI’s based on the SSD and display being enabled, but the HDD being powered down.

MSI’s Wind U115 will be available in the UK from May, priced at £499 ($726/€547). ®