MSI Wind U100 subnotebook review

Page 3 - A closer look

One of the main MSI Wind characteristics is the minimalistic and stylish design. Unlike other similar notebooks, that suffer in size due one or another of their characteristics, he has all the functionality of a standard laptop. Some of the similar products for example have smaller keyboard, smaller hard drive, way too much free space around the cover or insufficient battery life. MSI Wind is aiming to abolish all these setbacks and in its compact body houses almost standard keyboard, large screen, 80GB hard drive and 3/6 cell battery. But the key is always in the details, so... let's dig in 'em.

On the frame above the screen we find the integrated Webcam and microphone, and on the rest of it - the MSI logo:

The front side of the body is equipped with the standard bunch of indicators and labels:

Placed above the keyboard is the power button, lit in blue when powered on, there are also the laptop markings:

The keyboard layout is the standard one for an laptop, while some keys are still smaller in order to save space. Here the main criticism line is towards the placement of the „Fn” and “Ctrl” buttons – they are placed like this in many of the new mobile computers, yet in my opinion this is rather uncomfortable – after all the most used button is Ctrl:

Below the keyboard of course is the touchpad. Again two criticism points to be noted here – for one the button is a single one and in order to produce right or left click with it you'll have to press one of its ends. And the other one is the size of the surface, that is apparently rather insufficient. Especially considering that the rightmost part of the touchpad is used as a scroll wheel

On the bottom of the body are the vents for cooling, the battery, the feet and the standard warning label, informing you that warranty will be voided should you are too curious and wish to take a peak inside the MSI Wind:

Down there we find also two speakers, which honestly sound terrible: