MSI Wind rebadge - Advent 4211 first impressions

[DavoMrMac]

It is late here in the UK, so this is very short. I just picked up a silver/grey combo of the Advent 4211. Which is essentially a rebadged MSI Wind U100.

I haven't even switched the baby on, but wanted to let you all know that it comes neatly packaged in a tiny box. The unit is very well made, totally solid. The lid is rigid, not any noticable flex in it. The keyboard is a very nice size, the keys have a firm feel with just the right amount of travel.

That's it for tonight, I will bring you more news here tomorrow... along with a full video review on my website.

[hazmat]

It is your duty to queen and country to stay up all night and explore every aspect of the device and report here with pics and stories. All of this "it is late here in the Uk" stuff is absolutely ridiculous as the sun never sets on the British Empire (at least that's what they taught us in grade school)

[Blitz50]

That's great to hear, please keep us posted. As hazmat stated some pictures and a small review would be great (at your convenience of course). Thanks for any update that you can provide.

[swampy]

Those are sharp looking too!

[Jenn]

Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts, DavoMrMac. Is the battery 3- or 6-cell? Unless Advent and MSI are using different batteries, the fact that you and others in Europe have been able to get the netbooks is very promising. July 7th may be a good day for US Wind customers.

[DavoMrMac]

Originally Posted by Jenn

Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts, DavoMrMac. Is the battery 3- or 6-cell?

It is definitely the 3-cell.

[DavoMrMac]

OK here we go. This is my initial impressions. If you want to read the full review and watch an image slideshow, take a look here;

http://www.geekanoids.co.uk/2008/07/...-msi-wind.html

Always on the hunt for new toys, and primarily a replacement for my 12-inch PowerBook. I had been keeping my eye on the netbook front for the last month or so. Initially I was really tempted to wait for the Asus Eee PC 901 or 1000H, but then through the forums I heard of the MSI Wind U100. This little 10-inch screen notebook looked superb. The term being touted is 'Netbook' due to it being ideally suited to surfing and emails, with the odd office task.

Anyway, the MSI model seemed to be so hard to get hold of. Then the Advent 4211 appeared on the PC World website. It was a rebadge, sourced and manufactured by MSI, so really just a different colour Wind, except at £279 it is cheaper. The box is tiny and hides this little laptop inside. The laptop itself is very solid and has a nice build to it. The lid that houses the screen has very little flex which is encouraging. The screen itself is very hard, pressing a little causes no ripples, so it seems very robust. The battery is a slimline 3-cell, which proves a bit hard to fit and remove, but a snug fit, which does not protrude from the base of the laptop at all.

The keyboard feels nice and responsive, with the keys have just the right amount of travel. Size is good too, comparing to a full size notebook it is almost the same, just a bit more compact. The symbols on the keys are nice and clear too... full review on the link above.

[hazmat]

First off, Thanx for the review, excellent work. I will comment that on July 4,our Independence Day...seeing the Advent available in the UK makes me want to apologize to old King George...had those nasty rebels (Washington, Jefferson, Franklin) not made such a fuss...we would be using the Advent today....LOL.


One question...is there a 8.9 inch version also ?

[czarina]

what are the available colors?

[DavoMrMac]

hazmat... no 8.9-inch version of the Advent, just the 10.

czarina... only black/silver combo on the Advent.

Ooooooh, wireless issues, damn you XP.

[tyrian]

Good to see the Power supply is really tiny, something that's not always mentioned on most reviews. Can't wait to hear what else you've got to say about it.

[DavoMrMac]

Well, after 24 hours I noticed a problem with the screen, a big cluster of glowing red pixels, plus a scuff mark which I had not noticed before, so it went back today. No more stock, so I am waiting for another to be delivered Monday.

That aside (as it was probably a rogue unit). The keyboard is fantastic, very nice size. I cannot believe how comfortable it is to type on. The actual shape of the keys is nice too.

The screen is really very bright. To add a little to my review, I found the resolution to be exactly what this type of device needs, just right for web browsing.

The weight of the unit is perfect. If it was lighter I would feel like it was cheaply built. However, it feels very very solid, as though it could take a few knocks. Definitely a pro, rather than toy feel to it. Looking back a little, it sort of compares well to how I would expect the Dell netbooks to feel. The finish on the lid and wrist areas is also very nice, smooth, and does not show fingerprints.

The hard drive seemed very responsive. Nice and fast moving files around. Not very well noise damped though, as you could hear the clicks and whirrs a bit too much. Maybe opening it up and putting some extra damping might help.

My only real downer on the 4211 is that it runs Windows XP. This is my personal problem, in that I am so used to Mac OS X that the transition is really hard. Maybe when I get the replacement I may try OS X or Ubuntu on it. Other than that it is very much worth the £279.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by DavoMrMac

My only real downer on the 4211 is that it runs Windows XP. This is my personal problem, in that I am so used to Mac OS X that the transition is really hard. Maybe when I get the replacement I may try OS X or Ubuntu on it. Other than that it is very much worth the £279.

Don't know if you have seen the posts over a modoco, Paul has OS X running and the only thing he had to change was the wifi card.