Samsung N110 12PBK 10 1 Inch Black Netbook 6 Cell Battery 9 5 Hours

The SAMSUNG N110 gives you the power to accomplish more wherever you are. The 6-cell lithium battery lasts for up to 9.5 hours! You’ll have more time to shop online, surf the web and chat with friends. Plus, a larger touch pad makes it so easy to use. The new design is also sleeker, curvier and comes with a glossy screen. Weighing only 2.8 lbs., the N110-12PBK mini notebook is an affordable mobile solution ideal for all your online needs. 10.1 diagonal Display Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera and Microphone Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 945 Built-in Stereo Speakers 802.11b/g Wireless Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR 10/100 Ethernet LAN 3-in-1 Card Reader – SD, SDHC, MMC Ports – USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions – 10.27 (W) x 7.3 (D) x 1.19(H) Approximate Unit Weight – 2.78 Pounds

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Even better than I expected
This netbook may cost a bit more than some, but it is worth it. I love everything about it except the touch pad, and I hate all touch pads. I opted to buy a $40 Bluetooth mouse because the Samsung had built-in Bluetooth capability. The mouse worked immediately and it is great not to use one of the three USB ports (two more than some netbooks) with a wireless receiver or a cord in the case of cheap mice.

All the software I have works after copying installation software CDs to memory sticks. I doubt that I will need an external CD/DVD reader/writer. In an attempt to hold down software costs, I discovered Sun Microsystems OpenOffice. It’s free and compatible with MS Office documents. I also downloaded free viewers of MS documents from the Microsoft web site.

The 160-gig hard drive seemed much larger than I needed, so I was happy to let Samsung partition it into two, copying the C: drive I use all the time to the D: drive as a checkpoint should disaster strike. Upon request Samsung’s software copies D: to C: to return your machine to its state when you last took a checkpoint.

I did not think the battery would drive the device as long as advertised, because battery life is usually an issue with laptops. But in this case it does. The battery-percent-remaining icon on the task bar makes it easy to see how close to “empty” you are.

The sound is “tinny” from the built-in speakers, but quite good through headphones. The built-in camera seems more like a toy, but it may appeal to some.

In short: if you’re considering a netbook, go with this one. I can’t imagine what more you’d want especially if you live in California (no sales tax–free shipping too!).

5 Stars Very good netbook for Internet, MS Office and Multimedia with excellent battery life
I purchased Samsung N110 almost the same week it was released. I was considering a Dell or Asus model. I had doubts as Samsung wasn’t really an active brand in laptop market, but Samsung did just fine in Netbook market.

After reading many reviews, I got the idea that this laptop had distinctive battery, made of good quality material and has the looks.

After using the laptop for quiet a while, I can only add some more. Like many netbooks, the battery life is excellent. I use with all the works on, still I easily see over 7 hours straight battery life. The keyboard is in decent size and screen is just fine. I can use the netbook outdoors in a sunny day with sunglass and it’s ok. I had seen better screen performance (and worst) but definitely you get more than what you pay for.

Wireless connection (the quality and range) had never been a problem. Speed of the processor is decent. I purchased this netbook to use in day to day life, as a road warrior. I needed good battery life, MS Office applications, internet and media and I’m very satisfied with the purchase.

The cover is in color jetblack and is a finger print magnet, but it doesn’t really bother me. The cover can get scratched easily if you don’t take care. I purchased a sleeve which works just fine. Like all 10.1 laptops, the touchpad is small. You may prefer to carry a mouse but you can get used to the small pad. It just takes sometime. You can choose a mouse with bluetooth connection, as bluetooth is available in this model.

For me, battery life was crucial in choosing this model. Even for small laptops which weight light, carrying a charger everywhere and need to carry a case was a hassle. Now,I only carry this laptop in its small sleeve and a mouse sometimes, if I need. Very portable.

Laptop heating is excellent, never bothers. Operates very silent.

One of the shoes felt of aftert he first week, and it kinda bothers to use like that. Luckly I found a replacement. Watch the shoes, they may need to be glued for long term usage. Funny thing is, I cannot think of anything negative about Samsung N110 except it’s shoes.

Shortly, I would strongly recommend this product if what you are looking for is a netbook.

5 Stars Great Little Netbook
I’ve had my netbook for almost 2 weeks now and couldn’t be happier with it. Prior to that I had used a Toshiba laptop and an HP mini netbook. Both of those units were great and I originally got the HP because my husband took the laptop to his office. My complaint with the HP and my reason for getting the Samsung was that an 8.9 in. screen was just too small for my 53-year old eyes. It is amazing what a difference the larger screen made. I chose this model based on customer reviews and so far, they’ve been right on the money so there is no need for me to repeat everything they have already mentioned. So far I’m using it for web surfing, e-mail and word processing. As far as the glossy finish and fingerprints, I’ve ordered a Gelaskin for it, which I also have on my Kindle. I’m a firm believer in the skin-type screen protectors for items such as cell phones, Ipods, etc. They are well worth the money!

5 Stars Love it!!
LOVE this little machine!!! If I could change one thing it would be that the speakers aren’t loud enough, but works great with a headphone. Started out with 9.5 hours in the battery saver mode. Managed to watch two long movies and sit through delay after delay at the airport and still had plenty of battery when I got to my destination! I will admit, the screen is very small for any major text work, but it handled all the windows without a hitch. I did upgrade it to 2g memory and that seemed to make all the difference. I would highly recommend this product to anyone! AND if fit perfectly in my purse!

4 Stars One of the best looking netbooks…
Seems that all netbooks are nearly the same hardware. At least in this class of them.

They all come with ~160gb hdd, 10.1 or 10.2″ screen (1024×586 or 1024×600) a 1.6ghz Atom processor and 1gb of ram.. They all have small keyboards, and decent battery life.

What this one does is look pretty. Glossy surface is sometimes hard to keep looking good (fingerprints…), but when it’s wiped clean, no other netbook looks as good as this one. It may not really be thinner than any others in this class, but it looks thinner because of the beveled edges on the back of the screen. It’s missing the Expresscard/34 that others have, but it makes up for it with the 3rd USB port.

Overall, very nice machine.

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Samsung N120 12GBK 10 1 Inch Black Netbook 6 Cell Battery

Get the ultimate multimedia experience with the N120 mini notebook. It comes with an integrated 1.3 MP digital motion camera making it easy to chat with friends and family through video-conferencing or live messaging. Typing is easier and faster with this full-size 12″ keyboard packed into a 10.1″ mini notebook. Despite its small form, the ergonomic design, with optimized key spacing and larger touchpad, makes it easy to type. You’ll experience less strain on your wrists, fewer errors and faster typing. And two speakers with dedicated subwoofer using SRS audio technology ensure incredible audio for your movies, music and video games. You can also accomplish everything and more with a long-lasting battery. The energy-efficient LED display and optimized performance together with Samsung’s class-leading engineering all help you get more battery time. So you’re ready to go anywhere and do anything. If you crave a better multimedia experience, look no further than the N120 mini notebook. 10.1 diagonal WSVGA (1024 x 600) Display Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera and Microphone Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 945 Built-in Stereo Speakers 802.11b/g Wireless Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR 10/100 Ethernet LAN 3-in-1 Card Reader – SD, SDHC, MMC Ports – 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions – 10.27 (W) x 7.3 (D) x 1.21(H) Approximate Unit Weight – 2.8 Pounds

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars n120 vs nc10 comparison ,n120 definitely better !
i just got my n120 in today ,so i went straight to my buddy’s house who has the white nc10 in his room so i can make a comparison only because before i made my purchase i was debating between these 2 but finally chose the newer model which is the n120 .here is my comparison….

-the n120 is 4cm wider which is about half an inch almost to accomodate the larger keyboard and side speaker design.

-the n120 has a shorter screen in height ,about 1 centimeter compare to the nc10 ,you can not tell the difference between these 2 screen in size by looking at it only if you measure,looks identical to me.samsung reduce the 1cm on the n120 to conserve battery life.

-the n120 is slightly thinner then the nc10 almost 1cm lower than the nc10

-the n120 has a sleeker design due to the rounder edges and more curved casing compare to the boxed shaped nc10

-n120 has a sharper and more crisp lcd screen but it is more glossy than the nc10 screen.there is a reason why there is a glossy lcd screen on the newer model cause it’s better

-both has the same brightness when maxed out and charger plugged in

-n120 has the led backlit technology for the lcd screen to conserve energy

-n120 has a clearer web camera ,maybe it’s the software or better updated hardware for the web cam that samsung provided.

-when maxing out the sound and volume system on both n120 and nc10 ,the n120 is definitely louder,more crisp,and more thump speaker/subwoofer system than the nc10 ,great for listening to hip hop music ,watch a action pack movie ,or play games in a noisy surrounding.

-n120 does not have the chrome line feature in the front which the nc10 has

-n120 is 1 cm longer in length due to the sleek edges i think.

-n120 has a better feel and better build quality when holding the netbook with one hand as the nc10 boxy casing do tend to squeak.

-n120 has a nicer oval power button as the nc10 has a circle power button

-n120 has a larger keyboard

-n120 has a mesh speaker design on the side next to the screen

sorry i haven’t done any battery testing ,overall i think the n120 is better than the nc10 (usually the updated model is better) . a way more sleeker design. the bigger keyboard and 2.1 channel srs trusurrond speaker system is a plus compare to the nc10.

5 Stars Samsung N120 A Total Winner!
I am a bit of a tech head when it comes to gadgets: computers and cameras etc, and I can definitely say without hesitation that the N120 is without a doubt a worthy netbook in a netbook savvy world. I love love love the look and feel and also, behavior of this little machine. Works like a champ in a big computer world. AAA***

5 Stars Samsung N120 – Excellent Product
I purchased the N120 over a month ago and I am extremely happy with the system. I had MS office 2007 pushed to my computer, and the system is still extremely responsive (office uses a bit of space). This computer is very good looking. The screen provides a crisp image and works well enough outside (coordinate glare/shade). The sound is good (I have no comparison w/ other systems). Wish it would project a bit stronger of a sound (listening to you tube videos, for example) but when alone, it is fine. The clarity of the sound is great.

Honestly, the reason I purchased a net book is because I only do simple stuff on the computer (MS Office, internet surfing, you tube video, itunes – thats about it!). I wanted something that looked good and a system that was reliable. I love samsung products in general, which also influenced my decision to buy the N120. I am SO glad I purchased this – it is well worth the money, for me.

5 Stars Among the best netbooks available.
I was torn between the 1000HE, MSI Wind U123, and the N120. I had also considered Samsung’s other models, including the N110 and NC10, but finally settled on the N120 and I couldn’t be more pleased.

Battery life on the N120 is very impressive. It is rated for 7.5 hours of use, but more is obtainable if you lock the CPU to minimum speeds (800MHz) and reduce brightness. I was able to top 9 hours of use with Wifi on and brightness at 2/8. Less conservative usage with higher brightness (4/8) and auto-cpu speed adjustment will still put you at a minimum of 6 hours. The MSI U123 tops these times by about an hour, but adding the half pound of weight and the hideous battery jutting out of the back was not a worthwhile tradeoff.

The keyboard is excellent. I’ve tried about 10 other netbooks, and none of their keyboards, except some of the larger HP netbooks, can compare. I can effectively touch type up to 150 WPM on the N120, and have no qualms with the action. I haven’t found any other keyboard in any netbook that allowed me to do the same. This includes the 1000HE, which, while it has one of the best 92% size keyboards, still feels unnatural. The 1000HE also has a common problem with characters sometimes double keying, which as of this review, has not been resolved.

The touchpad is quite good for a netbook. It is at least as generous in size than most others, and has just the right amount of sensitivity. The scrolling pad on the right side of the touchpad simulates a mouse wheel scroll, which is a nice feature that is less clumsy than the scroll gestures on other touchpads. Other finger gestures such as zooming are also supported.

The sound quality is very good for a netbook. The ’subwoofer’ is nothing to write home about, but does round out the lower to middle spectrum nicely. The volume goes high enough that you can listen to a movie comfortably without compromising on quality. I believe the sound system, while mediocre by laptop standards, is one of the best available on a netbook.

The display is glossy, though not nearly as much as other netbooks such as the Acer line. It is slightly harder to read outdoors than a matte screen, but the tradeoff is acceptable, as the visual clarity is excellent.

There’s a lot of software on the machine. The first time you boot the machine, it takes around 20 minutes until you are at the desktop. There is a fair bit of excessive software, including the memory hogging McAfee. Boot time was about 20 seconds when I stripped away all the excess software and upgraded memory to 2GB.

It’s built sturdy as a rock. It may not be the most stylish of netbooks, but there’s nothing flimsy about the build.

Some miscellaneous notes:

If 802.11n support is a deal breaker, the internal wireless card can be swapped out for an Intel 5300, which supports draft N. Changing it requires taking apart the case, but all you need is an ordinary Phillips screwdriver and steady hands.

The battery life indicator has a tendency to swing around because the discharge rate is constantly changing, because of, among other things, CPU load. Running out the battery to 5% then discharging the rest in the Smart Battery Calibration in the BIOS helps mitigate this. In my experience, actual battery life tends to be closer to the higher-end of the range you’ll see.

The two USB ports on the left side also support charging peripherals when the netbook is turned off. This is disabled by default, but can be enabled in the BIOS. Some people are making a big deal out of this in the newer netbooks, but never realized that the N120 supports it too.

5 Stars Great little computer
My Compaq was having trouble with the power supply conection, so I wanted somthing to replace it. I love this netbook, it is very fast, boots fast and the battery life is incredible. I have not taken off the proective screen cover yet, because I love the new look. I am a big fan of Samsung and have been for 25 years. I have owned Samsug TVs 4, a VCR and severial cell phones. I bought my Daughter a Acer netbook for Christmas and she is not as happy with it as I am with this one. The 10 inch screen is large enough for my older eyes. I would recomend this machine to anyone, and have.

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MSI Wind Intel Atom N270 1GB RAM 160GB HDD 10 Netbook Notebook Computer Black

This lightweight MSI Wind Intel Atom N270 10 Netbook Notebook Computer is just the right size to take on the go. Whether you’re a busy professional who needs to have your important files on hand or a student away at college, the MSI Wind will help you sail through any computer task with its impressive collection of features. MSI Wind Intel Atom U100-641US Notebook Computer Key Specifications: Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor Memory: 1GB DDR2 667MHz Hard Drive: 160GB SATA Operating System: Windows XP Home edition Monitor: 10 TFT WSVGA (1024 x 600) Media Card Reader: 4-in-1 supports MMC, SD, MS, MS PRO Other Differentiators: Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam Additional Product Specifications: System Bus: 533MHz Cache Memory: 512KB L2 cache Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 External Ports: 3 USB 2.0, VGA, RJ-45 LAN, headphone, microphone Speakers: Integrated stereo speakers Network Interface: 10/100 LAN Case: Black Battery/Power Supply: 3-cell Lithium-ion battery / 65-watt AC adapter Wireless Network Adapter: 802.11b/g Measures approx. 10.2L x 7.1Deep x 1.2H Weighs approx. 2.6 lbs. Model #: U100-641US Made in China Accessories Included: Carry bag Owner’s manual

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MSI Wind U100 001US 10 Inch Pink Netbook 6 Cell Battery

The Wind, an acronym for Wi-Fi Network Device,” features a speedy and energy-efficient Intel Atom 1.6GHz Processor to provide longer operation hours and better mobile lifestyle. This notebook is lightweight and ultra-portable, measuring about 7 inches wide by 10.23 inches long, and weighing just 2.6 pounds. Being small doesn’t mean ultra-small keyboard, the Wind features an ergonomically designed keyboard that is only 20% smaller than a full sized notebook keyboard, with keys spaced a comfortable 0.68 inches apart. The Wind comes equipped with a 10″ backlit LED screen that provides superior color quality and brightness giving you better comfort while reading reports, watching online videos and viewing photos. In addition, the 1024 x 600 screen resolution can fully display web pages, which makes it ideal for Internet browsing. With the 802.11b/g/n wireless built-in, you can enjoy the convenience of accessing the Internet anywhere and video chat with family and friends with the built-in 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera and microphone. Another wireless feature that comes with the Wind is Bluetooth, this enables you to wireless connect to headphones, or other Bluetooth devices making it more convenient by not carrying around a bunch of tangled cords. With the Wind notebook weighting less than 3 pounds, makes it a great second computer to use at school, work and to take on vacations. 10 Widescreen (1024 x 600) LED Backlit Display Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera and Microphone Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Two internal Speakers Built-in 802.11b/g/n Wireless 10/100 Ethernet LAN Integrated Bluetooth 4-in-1 Card Reader – SD, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro Ports – 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions – 10.23 (L) x 7.08 (D) x 1.24 (H) Approximate Unit Weight – 2.6 Pounds

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Cute litte web surfer
I bought this specifically for web browsing. Mostly use it to check my fav websites while watching evening tv, uploading/dowloading pictures and to and from work on the bus.

4 Stars MSI Wind U100 – decent little machine
First thing that I found when I opened the package is the itty bitty laptop and the additional memory that I ordered. I STRONGLY recommend spending the extra 15 to 20 bucks to get the extra memory – it makes a massive difference in the performance of any machine.

The issue I had with the memory is that the laptot doesn’t seem to have any place to install it. The documentation doesn’t show where it goes. I found a video on Youtube showing how and where to install it. The apparent terrible thing about upgrading the memory is that it requires removing the back cover. One of the screws is covered by a security tape that says “warranty is void if tampered”.

I contacted tech support. It took two calls. Both times they answered within 5 minutes. The first call, oops, they dropped the phone and accidentally hung up on me. I got the same tech that did this on the second call. The tech support agent said that it is alright to remove the sticker to get to the screw. They have reviewed their policy and it will not void the warranty. They have stopped placing the sticker on new systems. With the cover off, I removed the sticker altogether and got the residue off with goo gone.

The tech support agent said that nothing else is user or locally serviceable. Not even the hard drive.

Next, I backed up the hard drive as delivered using Norton Ghost.

I then replaced the operating system by installing Windows Vista Ultimate to test the capability. It ran just fine. The Vista Performance rating gave it a 1 for the graphics card – or lack of.

I installed XP Pro. Office 2007 Ultimate. Joined the laptot to the domain. It is truly not a desktop replacement, but my wife likes it a lot!

I don’t know why they don’t offer XP Professional as an option for these machines. XP home is simply a broken version.

I wonder what OS these laptot manufacturers will begin shipping when Microsoft finally discontinues XP.

5 Stars great – love it!
I love this laptop! It has everything I need to surf the web and the battery has a long life. I’m especially impressed withthe keyboard, which is large for such a small computer. The heart design is very subtle.

5 Stars Great little machine!!
Originally leaning towards an HP mini I decided to go with this little one after discovering all its great features and tons of great reviews. It’s light, fast, has a great screen, the keyboard rocks, I have no problem with the mouse bar and I just love it! I drag it all over the place with me, it into the kitchen rather than printing a recipe and it worked like a charm, into the family room to surf, outside to work, everywhere – battery lasts forever and it doesn’t get hot like my Thinkpad I use for work.

5 Stars Portable Wind Netbook from MSI
Excellent product very happy with it, bought it for my wife, delighted with the product

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MSI Wind Nettop CS120 Desktop PC Black

The Wind, an acronym for Wi-Fi Network Device,” features the new speedy and energy-efficient Intel Atom 230 1.6GHz Processor in a small desktop unit that can be placed horizontally or vertically. Besides being 83% smaller compared to most ATX desktops, the Wind Nettop produces an average of 30dB noise level which makes for quieter machine so you can focus on what your working on. Requiring only 35 watts of power during full speed operation compared to the normal 300 watts on other desktops, this Nettop will save you about 90% on electricity, virtually paying for itself while slowing down global warming. But being small doesn’t also mean getting less, you still have HD 7.1 Audio, 6 USB ports, 4-in-1 media card reader, slot-loading DVD drive, LAN and WiFi all built in! Getting the Wind Nettop is the perfect basic desktop for work or as a second computer at home, so pick up yours today. Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Card Slot Loading Super Multi DVD+-R/RW Drive 7.1 High Definition Audio 802.11b/g Wireless LAN 10/100/1000 Base-T Gigabit Ethernet LAN 4-in-1 Card Reader – SD, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, xD Front ports – 2 x USB, Headphone, Microphone Back ports – 4 x USB, 6 x Audio Jacks, RJ-45 (LAN), VGA CF Card Expansion Slot Approximate Unit Dimensions – 9.45 (L) x 2.56 (D) x 11.81 (H) Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse is not included

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars This thing ROCKS!
I work for a company that rents PC’s. We needed to bring some newer, faster, smaller PC’s into our fleet and this fit the bill perfect. Small and compact yet still easy to work on. We built 15 to start with and they have been out in the field 2x with no problems. I plan on building 40 more here shortly. I liked it so much I built one for my good friend. To get a bare bones system (case, CPU, MB) all for less than the cost of most motherboards today is a great value. I put together a complete PC for less than $300.00 (not including monitor). I am running Windows XP Pro with SP3 and it runs great. The on board video was even better than expected.

4 Stars Gets the job done, low powered
I needed something that could run 24/7 as a file server that could be occasionally used as a Desktop. While I would not recommend this as an everyday desktop, it gets the job done.

Pros:

Size

Solid Build – High quality contruction, feels like a mini business class desktop.

Low Power Usage

Took only 10 minutes to install ram, hard drive and dvd burner.

External power supply reduces heat (laptop type ac adapter).

For much less than $300 I was able to build a 1tb file server that will outperform just about any NAS in that price range.

Cons:

No WDDM 1.1 support for the 945 chipset. This cripples Aero performance when using Windows 7. No linux drivers for this chipset, forcing VESA drivers.

Loud – The single fan is louder than I expected. I’m looking into replacing the fan.

You can not run 2 hard drives at the same time due to power limitations. Not an issue for most people, but worth a mention if somebody is planning on using the ODD sata port for a 2nd hard drive…

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Other thoughts:

After reading rave reviews of Windows 7’s performance on netbooks I thought this would be a no brainer. I did not take into consideration the low netbook resolution which is much easier on the graphic chip than my 19″ monitor is. Disabling some visual effects like transparent windows and animations helps, but Windows XP may be a better option for everday use.

Edit: After trying everything from Ubuntu to Windows 7, I’ve found that Windows XP runs better than anything else on this. Everything works the way you would expect it to in XP, while everything else either suffered from less than full hardware support or inconsistent performance. (end edit)

Built in CF slot is perfect for a permanent ready boost solution.

Performance is exactly what I expected. A quieter fan and a chipset that supports WDDM 1.1 would have earned it a 5th star. No regrets here…

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Notes on Amazon:

My first order was dead on arrival. Amazon got a replacement to me less than 17 hours after I submitted the return request. They paid for the return shipping and overnight shipping for the replacement. I can’t say enough good things about Amazon.

4 Stars Small, Low Power, Decent cable routing, Pleasant to work in.
It’s a pretty decent low power system, and MSI did add a couple of nice things I’ll describe below. The box is a bit heavy for the size. If placed horizontally ’s about the size of a VHS player (for those young ones, slightly taller than a slim DVD player, but not as wide.)

Hardware:

********************

PROS:

—-

- Even though it is not specified, the kit actually includes screws for both the Hard drive and the Optical drive. This was a nice surprise (I usually buy OEM drives which don’t include screws), since I thought it may not have them.

- External passively cooled power supply. (it’s just a brick, like a laptop’s psu, so no noise)

- Small and sturdy, includes card reader.

- Awesome cable management – got to give them props 6 stars for how neatly organized everything is in there. Nothing is loose, the SATA disk drive cables are color coded and already set up for you in very neat fashion. Same with all the cables in there (LED cables all bundled together, etc).

- Passively cooled chipset and processor, no fan = no noise. Big aluminum heat-sink on to, covering both.

- Consumes about 40-50 watts on normal use (less than a regular lightbulb!)

CONS

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- The only fan gets loud constantly.

- Overheats a lot (I may have gotten a bad item – we’ll see how it goes). But one design aspect that they chose to save money was using 1 big heatsink over both the chipset and processor. The problem is the uneven heights of these two, so they went cheap on us and added extra layers of paste for contact on the shorter item, which is not optimal at all. I saw temperatures of 89 degrees (Celsius!) almost 200 Fahrenheit. I would rank this item 1 or 2 stars, but I can’t seem to change my rating now.

- No wifi card included. Just a bad decision, charge a few bucks more and include one. Having the antenna makes you think there is wireless included, plus these days people want/use wireless a lot.

- IMPORTANT – To make matters worse, they do not include an flat head (M2) screw, which you need to attach the wifi card onto the motherboard. If you plan on using the mini pci-express slot for wireless, please avoid unnecessary hassle and buy this screw. How much could it cost MSI about 2 cents? It would save a lot of heartache. It’s an absolutely tiny screw, so chances of having an extra one that would fit are virtually zero.

Other thoughts (neutral comments)

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- Need to remove the drive cage to install the mini pci-e wifi card.

- Can’t play HD content (I already knew this)

- Includes antenna for wifi card (nice, but I wish they had included the card as well, as it is, it’s only a tease)

- Looks ok, but I wish the optical disk drive had a cover for it, to make it blend in more in a living room. Right now it is just the exposed drive (so you can’t really re-use say, a white dvd drive). It is a little better in person though, the photos here aren’t that good. I’ll upload some photos soon, make sure to check them out.

NOTE:

I will add more details in a week or two after using the system some more.

5 Stars One good energy efficient machine.
The unit works as advertised, quiet and energy efficient. This is a great web browsing machine. You will just need 2 Gbytes of memory and a HD.

4 Stars everything goes great until you want to insert the second hard drive
This barebone does not come with memory, hard drive, mini-PCI card, optical hard drive, or compact flash card. Anyway, I bought this machine to build my low power file server, and was planning to add two hard drives into it. There is only one 3.5″ slot and the other slot is 5.25″ for optical drive. So I purchased a bracket to accommodate the second hard drive. When I tried to install the second one, I realized that it is not designed to do so!!! The power cable at the 5.25″ side is very short that it barely hooks up the hard drive, so does the data cable! The worst thing is that the hard drive has about 1 – 2mm overlap on top of the hard drive power plug on the motherboard. I have to cut off a piece of the power cable plug in order to make it (merely) work with the hard drive. Also, you have to remove the drive bay in order to install compact flash card and mini-PCI card. Overall, it is a good machine, but has a few flaws to improve.

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