MSI unwraps netbook with SSD and HDD

Wind U115 blows into Taiwan

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

5th January 2009 10:36 GMT

MSI has introduced its anticipated Wind U115 - a netbook that incorporates an SSD and a hard drive.

It's also equipped with Intel's 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, a palmtop-oriented processor that's nonetheless finding favour with netbook makers, including Dell, which uses the part in its 12in Inspiron Mini notebook-not-netbook.

MSI's U115: SSD and HDD on board

But the real innovation here is the SSD/HDD combo. Models come with either 8GB or 16GB of SSD and 120GB or 160GB, respectively, of magnetic media storage space. MSI's notion is that the OS - Windows XP, since you ask - boots quickly off the solid-state drive, leaving the HDD for data, spinning up only when it's needed.

If all goes to plan, that means fast boot time end a decent storage capacity.

Other U115 specs are run-of-the-mill Small, Cheap Computer: 10in, 1024 x 600 display; 802.11n Wi-Fi; optional Bluetooth 2.0+EDR; 1.3Mp or 2.0Mp webcam; 1GB of 533MHz DDR 2 memory; and three USB ports.