MSI Wind12 U230 finally available

We told you back in November that MSI had a new notebook coming, and now they are finally here: MSI’s new Wind12 U230 machines are now available for purchase online, and they look tasty.

There are two different version of the Wind12, the U230-033, and the U230-040. Both versions come standard with 2GB of DDR2, a 6 cell battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium. The ATI Radeon HD 3200 is also standard, as is a 1.3 megapixel webcam, HDMI port, and 3 USB 2.0 ports. The U230-033 has an Athlon Neo MV-40 and a 250GB SATA drive, and the U230-040 has a Athlon X2 L335 and a 320GB SATA drive. The Wind12 also features a 12.1″ LCD (at 1366×768), and the new EDS Keyboard. MSI says that the new keyboard features larger keys to make it more comfortable to type on, which is an issue with most netbooks.

Both systems are currently available on NewEgg, with the U230-033 selling for $429.99, and the faster U230-040 selling for $479.99.

From the press release:

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – March 9, 2010 – MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is proud to announce the availability of the new Wind12 U230-033 and U230-040. The new models will replace the successful Wind12 U210, a favorite among netbook users looking for a larger screen and more computing power. Upgrades to this new generation of netbooks include the first Wind to feature a dual core processor and Bluetooth connectivity.

Weighing in at just 3.3 pounds both versions of the U230 ship with 2GB of DDR2 memory, with a 6-cell battery and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. The newest editions to the Wind family are loaded with a 12.1” HD (1366×768) 16:9 aspect ratio LCD and an ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics card. The combination delivers a bright widescreen visual experience with exceptional color saturation and crisp imagery.

The Wind12 U230 also features MSI’s EDS (Ergonomic De-stress) keyboard with keys that are 51% larger than those on a standard keyboard. The larger keys greatly improve finger contact range, which reduces stress on fingers and wrists to improve accuracy and comfort. Additionally, MSI included a 1.3M webcam, HDMI port, 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA port, and a 4×1 card reader in the new U230 notebooks.

The new Wind12 U230 models are available now at Newegg.com starting at $429.99. MSI offers a 1-year limited warranty with extended customer services hours at 1-888-447-6564.