In what’s sure to be a parade of new netbooks for 2010, MSI is leading the march with news of the Wind U135. Like just about every other new netbook coming soon, the U135 is built around the Intel Atom N450 at 1.66 GHz with integrated GMA 3150 graphics. Sadly, that’s about all that’s new when compared to the Wind U100 I bought nearly 15 months ago, aside from a revamped keyboard. The same 10.1″ inch display is there, as is the 1024 x 600 resolution. I realize that this display panel keeps costs down, but consumers might like the option of a higher resolution screen in 2010. The good news is that the increased power efficiency of the new Intel chipset will help with battery life while mobile. My old U100 typically lasts for five hours with the included six-cell battery — MSI claims the U135 will run for up to 7.5 hours.
The $329 price tag also includes Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition — although additional $80 will remedy that — a 250 GB hard drive, 4-in-1 memory card reader, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, 1.3 megapixel webcam and three USB ports. MSI did give the wireless capability a boost over my old netbook by adding support for 802.11n, but there’s no mention of Bluetooth in the email I received from the company. We’re sure to see the new U135 at CES and I’d expect availability soon after the show.
Both LAPTOP Magazine and Engadget have shared some hands-on reviews, so now’s your chance to get an early look. My Wind was — and still is — a workhorse, but it appears that other new netbooks are offering noticeably more battery life. And if most of these netbooks are the same in terms of specifications, I’d generally opt for the one that can stay away from an outlet longer than the others.

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