MSI Wind gets returned and my issues with “netbooks”
I picked up an MSI Wind yesterday. These are one of those sub $500 “netbooks”. It’s going back this morning. I just don’t think these devices are ready for my regular use. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great little device. I can see where for some people that it will be useful.
Let me start by talking about what I want a “netbook” or a smaller form factor portable computer. My main computer is a Macbook Pro 17″ and while for the size of it, it’s fairly light and quick to turn on and set up, at times, I don’t like pulling out such a beast for quick and dirty things I want to do. I am looking for a device that I can take with me almost anywhere, be fairly non-obtrusive, and be my quick window to the net. The MSI Wind was to be this device for me, NOT!
Again, spec wise it’s fair, I would go so far to say even better than fair. However, for me, it’s missing two key elements, touch screen capabilities and at least 1280×720 (or 800) resolution. For the technology we have today, these two elements MUST be in a small form factor PC or “netbook” for me.
The MSI Wind has a decent screen with 1024×600 resolution. I thought I could deal with this. With so many laptops with 1280×800+ screen resolutions, I do not believe GUI designers have set things up to accommodate the 600 pixel high space. It gets really frustrating when you can’t hit a dialog in something you are trying to do quickly. (remember, one of the purposes of having the machine)
The second thing is touch screen. It lacks one. It should have one. All “netbooks” should have some sort of touch capability on the screen. Again, for speed and ease of use. If there are kits showing up on e-bay for touch screen kits for these devices from $50 to $150, it should not be difficult to include one in the manufacturing process.
Sure, I know I can tweak the device to work with the resolution and add a touch screen. My point is, we have the technology and the ability to make devices at low cost that we don’t have to settle for. With my myriad of life projects going on and other hobbies, I don’t have time to mess with a machine to get these things in it. I want to buy an off the shelf product and just go. (well, maybe some minor mods, like putting OSX on it LOL)
The deal breaker on the Wind and most “netbooks” for me at the moment is the screen resolution. If this thing just had 1280×720/800 minimum, I’d be all over it.
Where oh where can I get one of these: Gigabyte M912V
Axiotron Announces the ModBook Pro
The Modbook on display at Macworld 2009
Talk about getting a graphic chubby!
For quite awhile I’ve seen the Modbook as a very tantalizing device, but I couldn’t see it as something that could be my sole computer. Sure, I would be able to draw and design directly on the screen, but if I needed to type something, I’d have to drag out an external keyboard. (Right now I have the reverse situation going with my Macbook and an external Wacom tablet) This device, however, is said to support the pen AND touch capabilities. Of course I’d have to see if this thing has a touch keyboard and how well it types, but it would be very sweet if it did.
About the only other caveats I have are the fact that this isn’t an official Apple product and therefore would have some hoops to leap through for maintainence and repairs. Axiotron has made a lot of noise about how they have The Woz in their employ now, but unless he’s doing all the repairs himself at a very fast pace, it doesn’t assuage my concerns much. This second is the price tag. Five thousand is a hefty price for something I’d be carrying around with me everywhere and therefore prone to gravity and the elements. Then I’d have to go with one of Joe’s Sony netbooks. 