MSI Wind mini-desktop with Intel\'s Atom to debut in July

Tag : Desktop Fan

A business version of Micro-Star International's (MSI) Windmini-desktop PC should be available in Asia and Europe in July, asproducts are already in mass production, a company representativesaid Monday.
MSI announced the Wind mini-desktop early this month at theComputex computer show in Taipei. Most of the buzz has been aboutits Wind mini-laptop , but the company was quick to follow rival Asustek Computer intothe desktop segment with a mini-desktop. Asustek announced the Eee Box mini-desktop at the end of May, just before Computex.
A consumer version of MSI's Wind mini-desktop won't be in massproduction until August, putting its shipping date at aroundSeptember.
The Wind mini-desktop is designed with parts from mini-laptop PCs.They even carry the same 1.6GHz Intel Atom microprocessors as manyof the mini-laptops coming out these days. MSI hopes businesseslike the Wind desktops for their small size, low power consumptionand quiet running since they require no fan for cooling.
They also use the same 65-watt AC adapters made for laptops. Thedesktop runs full speed at only 35 watts, compared to 250 watts fora traditional PC.
Specs on the mini-desktop are also similar to the Wind mini-laptop.The desktop uses Microsoft's XP OS and comes with 1GB of DRAM andcan be upgraded to 2GB. It also carries a 3.5-inch HDD (hard discdrives) with up to 160GB of storage and has Wi-Fi 802.11b/gwireless Internet connectivity built in.
A major difference is they come with DVD drives on board.
The barebones versions of these mini-desktops will cost around$199, while mini-desktops with fully loaded features, including themaximum amount of DRAM and big HDDs will cost around $299, therepresentative said.
MSI's Wind desktop is three times smaller than a traditional PCchassis, just 300 millimeters by 260mm by 65mm. It comes in avariety of colors, including black and white.
Last month, Asustek revealed the Eee Box, a mini-desktop PC thathas an Atom microprocessor, will come with either a Linux orWindows XP OS, and will begin selling in July for around US$300.The machine takes its name from the popular mini-laptop, Eee PC , by Asustek.
The Wind mini-desktop won't be sold in the U.S., an MSIrepresentative said.
But people in the U.S. interested in the Wind mini-laptop can buy aWindows XP version of the device online at www.msimobile.com. The laptop sells for around $499. A Wind mini-laptop with a LinuxOS will be available in July for around $399.
NOTE:
Update adds a new paragraph two to explain the birth of the Windmini-desktop, then moves the former paragraph eight up to paragraphthree to explain that a consumer version won't be out until laterthis year. Paragraph 11 was added for the U.S. audience to say theWind mini-desktop won't be sold in the U.S. Paragraph 12 was addedalso for the U.S., because the Wind netbook is aimed at U.S.consumers. Paragraph 12 also highlights the availability of a Windmini-laptop with a Linux OS available in July. Previously, MSI hadsaid "later this summer."