MSI Wind X600

If you need a portable that gives you a wide screen format with the option of direct connection to a flat screen or projector then this is an excellent choice.

Guide price: £750
Processor: Atom Z530 1.6Ghz
Memory: 1GByte (2GByte max DDR2 )
Disk: 250Gbytes
Optical: none
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD4330
Display: 15.6" 1366x768
Modem: none
Camera: 1.3 Mpixel
Ports: 3 USB, VGA (out), HDMI, eSata, 1 SD/SDHD/MMC card slot
Network: 10/100 Wifi: b/g/
n Bluetooth: optional
TPM: No
Battery life: 3 to 6 hours
OS: Vista Home
Weight: 1.3Kg
Size: 330x224x5 (19.8 max) mm

The MSI X600 is a strange machine - it could be described as a netbook with a wide screen display but this would miss some of the rationale for creating something like this.

Its key feature is its 15.6 inch screen with high resolution - HD ready - display. It even has an HDMI connector so that you can plug straight into a suitable HD ready flat screen TV. The video provides a wide screen 16:9 aspect ratio so playing movies isn't a problem.

However, having said this it has to be pointed out that the sound quality isn't good. The reason is that the built in speakers are simply too small. They provide an indistinct sound, lacking bass at low volume and they rattle at higher volume. External speakers, preferably with amplifier are a must for any AV presentation.

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