Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 3, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
MSI is entering the netbook race with the long-running U115 Hybrid. Beneath its silver-coloured surface is a modern hybrid solution. MSI’s objective was to reduce start-up time while substantially extending battery life for maximum mobility. Its hybrid technology runs the processing-intensive operating system and frequently used programs on a solid-state drive (SSD), while storage-intensive content such as multimedia files is stored on a SATA hard drive.
The result is faster access to program data and therefore a 50-percent reduction in boot time. If the hard drive is switched off completely and only the SSD is used for storage, MSI’s ECO Engine extends battery life to as much as 12.5 hours under Battery Mark 4.0.
For the first time, MSI uses Intel’s new Menlow ultra-mobile platform. An Intel Atom Z530 processor running at 1.6 GHz operates on the US15W Poulsbo chipset. A 10.2-inch widescreen LED display with 1,024 x 600 pixels, Bluetooth 2.0, draft-N Wi-Fi, 1 GB of memory and an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam make the 1.3 kg MSI U115 a mobile companion. Its ergonomic keyboard uses the full width of the U115 and is designed to reduce wrist strain for frequent typists. The operating system is Windows XP Home.
Full connectivity
Whether for work or personal use, the internet has become indispensable. The U115 provides mobile internet access through Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi b/g, while the 1.3-megapixel webcam supports video calls and conferences. Three USB 2.0 ports provide plug-and-play connections for external CD/DVD drives, hard drives and audio/video devices such as cameras and MP3 players. An integrated four-in-one card reader supports common digital-camera memory cards.
Designed for six years of operational reliability
The compact MSI notebook has already undergone rigorous quality control based on a ten-point load and stress test intended to ensure six years of operational reliability under demanding professional conditions. The display assembly undergoes 20,000 opening and closing cycles; the complete device is drop-tested from 76 cm and subjected to vibration and shaking tests; every keyboard key is pressed ten million times; the USB ports are tested around 5,000 times; and the notebook undergoes pressure, temperature and humidity tests.
Technical specifications:
Model: U115-Z5316XP Hybrid
LCD: 10.2-inch widescreen LED display (1,024 x 600 pixels)
CPU: Intel Atom Z530 (1.6 GHz)
Chipset: Intel US15W (Poulsbo)
Storage: 8 GB SSD/160 GB HDD, 5400 rpm
VGA: GMA950 graphics
Graphics memory: UMA (maximum 256 MB)
Optical drive: none
Video output: D-Sub VGA (analogue)
Main memory: 1,024 MB DDR2
LAN: Gigabit Ethernet
Bluetooth: yes
Wireless LAN: 802.11 b/g/n
eSATA: none
ExpressCard: none
Modem: none
Card reader: four-in-one (SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro)
Sound: HD audio output/stereo speakers
Audio: microphone input/headphone output
USB 2.0: 3x
RJ11/RJ45: 1x
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels, integrated into display lid
Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home
Battery: six-cell lithium-ion, 5200 mAh
Weight: 1.3 kg with battery
Dimensions: 260 (L) x 180 (D) x 19–31.5 (H) mm
Warranty: two-year pickup and return
Service and availability
The two-year warranty includes pickup and return service. Trained staff provide setup and fault-diagnosis assistance through the support and service number 01805-009 777, charged at EUR 0.14 per minute from the German fixed-line network. If a hardware fault is diagnosed, MSI covers courier collection and return of the defective notebook.
The MSI U115 will be available from retailers in mid-March at a recommended retail price of EUR 569 including VAT.
