MSI Wind U110

MSI Wind U110

MSI was the first netbook manufacturer to impress us with long battery life; the original MSI Wind U100 lasted more than 5 hours when the average netbook was lucky to get to 4. With each new release of the U Series, battery life has remained a priority, reaching beyond 6, 8, and even 9 hours of endurance. The company’s updated U110 ($429) continues this trend with a nine-cell battery that offers a whopping 12 hours and 28 minutes of runtime. But while MSI has made strides in endurance, this Wind lags behind its competitors in every other aspect, including design, performance, and price. Except for the large nine-cell battery jutting underneath, the 10.2 x 7.1 x 1.2 inch U110 has the same basic design as the original MSI Wind U100, right down to the keyboard and small touchpad. The original Wind was a favorite of ours when it came on the market over a year ago, but netbooks have grown more elegant and attractive since then. Even next to the MSI Wind U120, the U110 looks slightly dated. Like the MSI Wind U123, the extra-capacity battery provides long endurance, but adds bulk and a significant forward tilt to the system.