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MSI introduces Macbook Air killer, X-Slim 340

By | April 22, 2009, 4:56am PDT

Summary: Taiwanese-based MSI launched yesterday an ultra-thin laptop to rival Apple’s MacBook Air in the U.S., the 13-in. X-Slim 340. The X-Slim 340 runs Windows Vista Home Premium and uses a low-power Intel Core 2 Solo processor (an Intel Atom processor was originally announced but scrapped), one of the first machines on the market to use Intel’s [...]

Taiwanese-based MSI launched yesterday an ultra-thin laptop to rival Apple’s MacBook Air in the U.S., the 13-in. X-Slim 340.

The X-Slim 340 runs Windows Vista Home Premium and uses a low-power Intel Core 2 Solo processor (an Intel Atom processor was originally announced but scrapped), one of the first machines on the market to use Intel’s new CULV, or “consumer ultra-low voltage,” chips.

It also has an optional external Blu-ray disc drive or DVD SuperMulti drive.

While the X-Slim 340 isn’t intended to “kill” the premium Macbook Air outright, it is intended to siphon off users who need featherweight laptops but aren’t ready to pony up $2,000 for the Air. Likewise, the X-Slim 340 is intended to steal netbook users who like the portability and cost of a netbook but think they’re a little to chunky and a little too underpowered (note the use of Vista and HDMI port in specs below).

The X-Slim 340 is very thin at just 6-millimeters at the thinnest point and 20mm at the thickest. By comparison, Apple’s MacBook Air is 4mm thick at its thinnest point and 19mm at its thickest.

It’s also very light: 2.866 lbs., versus the Air’s 3.0 lbs.

The X-Slim 340 comes with a 4-cell battery as standard and the potential for 7 hours of life, according to MSI. (An 8-cell battery is also available.) Connections include USB, HDMI, headphone, microphone, D-Sub Video Out and LAN port, as well as Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n. Bluetooth and WiMax modules can be added.

No pricing info available.

Full specs:

  • Intel Core 2 Solo Processor
  • Intel GS45 + ICH9M-SFF
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
  • 2GB max of DDR2 667/800
  • 13 in. TFT-LCD Display, 16:9 widescreen
  • 2.5 in. 250GB/320GB/500GB SATA
  • 1.3 megapixel webcam
  • 2-in1 Card Reader (SD/SDHC/MMC)
  • Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN and Modem Module
  • Built-in 802.11b/g/n WLAN Card, Bluetooth is optional
  • Ports: 1 D-Sub; 2 USB 2.0; 1 Mic-in; 1 Headphone Out; 1 HDMI Por; 1 LAN
  • Weight: 1.3 kg, or about 2.866 lbs.

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Topics

Apple MacBook Air, Apple MacBook, Netbook, Intel Corp., MSI, X-Slim 340, Netbooks, Nettops & MIDs, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Andrew Nusca

Andrew J. Nusca is editor of ZDNet and SmartPlanet.

Disclosure

Andrew Nusca

Andrew J. Nusca does not hold any investments in the technology companies he covers.

Biography

Andrew Nusca

Editor

Andrew J. Nusca is an editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet. As a journalist based in New York City, he has written for Popular Mechanics and Men's Vogue and his byline has appeared in New York magazine, The Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Editor & Publisher, New York Press and many others. He also writes The Editorialiste, a media criticism blog.

He is a New York University graduate and former news editor and columnist of the Washington Square News. He is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He has been named "Howard Kurtz, Jr." by film critic John Lichman despite having no relation to him. He lives in his native Philadelphia with his wife, cat and Boston Terrier.

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How does a Macbook rival Windows?
Solid Jedi Knight Updated - 3rd May 2009
You are definitely biased against Microsoft. Anyone who has spent anytime using Windows 7 knows that Windows 7 right now has both the buzz and the momentum and will most likely be superior to SnowLeopard. Win 7 kicks Leopard's behind because it doesn't have the record 300 plus patches that Apple had to patch for you guys. Yet all you guys complain about Vista. Well, add up Vista's 2008 patches total and you won't even come close to Leopard's patch count. A so called "superior" OS shouldn't have over 300 patches and over 800 vulnerabilities. But OS-X did have both over 300 patches and over 800 vulnerabilities.

If anything, you should be concerned that Apple's leaves you sitting vulnerable for 95 days. But then again, 25 million OS-X users is nothing compared to 1.1 billion Windows users. Oh thats right, only 3.5 percent of the world uses Apple. The rest use Windows.

I've actually used Windows 7 and its absolutely stellar. Yet I can play the latest games, web based services, have more media store options, and generally a whole lot more software. Apple restricts your right to pick, choose, and who develops software. OS-X is generally unsupported by a good number of ISP's, game developers, web sites, and software developers. Yet on the Windows side, we don't really have that problem. That doesn't sound very "superior" to me.

So how does the Macbook rival a Windows Machine? It doesn't. When a Macbook is actually on par with a Windows OS, then we'll talk again. But if you want your limited user choice OS, you're the one spending over a grand for less choice.

Later.
View in thread
0 Votes
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Quite a nice laptop
Kaiwai 22nd Apr 2009
That is a really nice laptop; assuming it uses Intel wireless - it would be great once OpenSolaris or Linux is loaded on it. I wonder if they also have larger batteries of offer for those who don't mind an extra bit of bulk. For me a laptop is first and foremost a device of portability first.
0 Votes
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the article did state...
PollyProteus 23rd Apr 2009
...that an 8 cell battery would be available so yes...
0 Votes
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RE: MSI introduces Macbook Air killer, X-Slim 340
Loverock Davidson 22nd Apr 2009
That is a nice slick looking laptop. And it even comes with a RJ-45 connector. How great is that? If its intended to steal the $2000 macbook air market then it better be decently priced.
0 Votes
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Price?
Fred Fredrickson 22nd Apr 2009
The MacBook Air is USD1799, not USD2,000, which is competitive
with other ultra-light laptops, it certainly isn't the most
expensive.

The price for the X-Slim hasn't been announced, there's been
speculation it will be under USD1,000. At that price, it seems a
great deal, but will it have enough grunt for laptop users?
0 Votes
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Editor
Good point.
andrew.nusca 22nd Apr 2009
The $2,000 figure is general -- the Air starts
at $1,799 and goes higher. My point is that MSI
won't approach a $2,000 price point.

You raise a great point, though: it may be
better than a netbook, but exactly what is
reasonable to expect from such a thin machine,
performance-wise?

People were disappointed with the Air. Does
that make MSI a harder sell -- or with a far
lower expected price point, is it moot?
0 Votes
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It all depends on the price. If it costs
mark16_15@... 23rd Apr 2009
half of what a Mac Air costs it could have a large market. As for appealing to the same set as the MacAir, gimme a break. For the Mac set, Mac isn't a computer. Its a way of life.
0 Votes
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Typical
frgough 22nd Apr 2009
You state in your article this isn't an airbook killer, but could
appeal to those who want a featherweight laptop but without
the Apple price tag.

Then you say that pricing is not yet available.

So, agendize much, do you?
0 Votes
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Editor
Atypical.
andrew.nusca 22nd Apr 2009
I think it goes without saying that a product
from MSI that uses almost-netbook parts
couldn't possibly be priced equal or higher
than a Macbook Air.

It's just common sense.

Thus, not a direct Air killer but certainly
appealing to the same crowd.
0 Votes
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Hackintosh
urbandk 22nd Apr 2009
Wait until someone loads OS X on this thing...
0 Votes
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Hackintosh .. LOL
i8thecat Updated - 22nd Apr 2009
ROTFLMAO!!!!

Hackintosh


http://b.imagehost.org/0033/im_a_mac_im_a_pc.jpg



Want an even better laugh.. peep out vista... BwaHaHaHaHaHa!!!

http://incredimazing.com/static/media/2007/09/24/8a1e44020a6d3e6/ImageLYbzQA.jpg


0 Votes
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I most certainly does NOT go without saying
DeusExMachina 23rd Apr 2009
I assumed in reading the "article" that you had some inside
information regarding the projected price point. Turns out you were
just making baseless conjecture.
It most certainly is NOT common sense that the MSI would post at any
particular price point, regardless of components. This is a capitalist
economy, and capitalism does not work that way. Price is set by the
market, and MSI will price it at the highest price point they can. If they
could make it out of cardboard and used chewing gum and sell it for
3K, I assure you they would. Common sense does not dictate price,
the market does.
now granted the price of components can have a secondary effect by
influencing the market, but to just make assumptions and pass them
off as facts, as you appear to do in this "article" is irresponsible and
unprofessional, at least if that profession is journalism.
It is, isn't it?
0 Votes
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Um...
PollyProteus 23rd Apr 2009
--> This is a capitalist economy, and capitalism does not work that way.

Maybe that's what it's still being called, but with the government throwing money left and right at banks and taking ownership in them, it's highly debatable.
0 Votes
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Please
DeusExMachina Updated - 24th Apr 2009
Let's not let this devolve into a right wing rant. It is not even remotely
debatable by anyone who understands economic theory. Besides which,
I seriously doubt the government is going to propose a netbook
manufacturer bailout any time soon.
Even Adam Smith did not advocate untrammeled market economics.
0 Votes
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so which is it?
shis-ka-bob 2nd May 2009
The title states "MSI introduces Macbook Air killer". But you just said
"not a direct Air killer". Is the title perhaps hyperbole? That would
indeed by typical at ZD Net.
0 Votes
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UK Appeal
The Management consultant Updated - 23rd Apr 2009
This article seems to outline a point..premium price equals premium proposition.Like the new Dell it can only offer design and brand.Both of which is less appealing to the consumer than mac at the moment..but in the very time the depression bites both these players will be looking in the future to start their premium rang products at ?1000 as the market falls away.So where does MSI fit in; with the Sony FW series offering soo much? This is a ?800 laptop.
0 Votes
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What's it trying to kill?
justit1234@... 22nd Apr 2009
so an X340's Intel Core 2 Solo 'kills' Macbook Air Intel Core 2 Duo?
0 Votes
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It is not trying to "kill" anything
Qbt Updated - 22nd Apr 2009
It is merely providing yet another option for Windows users to choose from, something Apple barely gives its users. The number of laptop form factors/features/price points that Windows users can choose from dwarves the tiny amount of choices Mac users have.

You guys have been asking for a true Apple tablet for years now. Why can't you get one? Because Apple doesn't think you need one. Or an Apple netbook. Way late to the party, you guys are at the mercy of one hardware OEM with a tiny selection. If this MSI notebook is such a great choice to run OS X on, why doesn't Apple provide you such a selection at a similar price (whatever it turns out to be - the MSI would still be lower than anything Apple would charge you for something similar)?

And circumventing Apple's DRM in order to install OS X on non-Apple hardware it is not something most people would consider a viable option.
0 Votes
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"you guys?"
doh123 22nd Apr 2009
so 0.05% of their users have been hounding them for something so you generalize to make it sound like all of them have and Apple ignores
them?
0 Votes
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The only reason...
Qbt 22nd Apr 2009
The only reason you are not considdering a tablet is because you can't.

At least as a Windows user I have a very large amount of options I can choose from.
0 Votes
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Think about it
Leon Buijs 23rd Apr 2009
Word. It's interesting that so many people keep paying way to much for
such lame hardware with Apple logos on it. Millions of lame iPhones,
iMacs and other stuff. Or could it be that, just maybe, just an odd idea of
mine.. those people really put up with all that stupid expensive Apple
junk, because it's paying off?

BTW
Pretty lame to start an article about 'books being too expensive without
even knowing the price of the 'killer'.
0 Votes
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Form follows function
shinkle 23rd Apr 2009
Do you expect to do more then a core2solo requires on a ultra portable
machine? Seriously people, and it is more of a Dell Ad**** killer then a
Mac killer, the only way to produce a Mac killer is with another
Mac....apples and eggplants man.
0 Votes
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The Air
molumen 23rd Apr 2009
You don't get the point of the word killer here:
it's not about having the exactly same processor
speed, and overall productivity. It's about the
customers and form factor.
The Macbook Air is thin, cool, good looking, light
and very portable but somewhat overpriced for a
lot of people. MSI's X-Slim 340 appeals to those
people that want the same form factor qualities
(thin, light, good looking etc...) but don't
really want to pay the apple price tag because
they don't really care about the apple logo, or
what system is installed because they actually USE
the computer (browsing, mailing, writing), and
don't just buy it to show off.
A notebook is a tool. And if 2 models look and
feel the same and their productivity is good
enough for user's intended purposes, the choice
will generally fall to the side of the less
expensive one.
0 Votes
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The Air (headed)
middle of nowhere 2nd May 2009
Just who is this aimed at?

People who want a light laptop running OS X or
windows users who want a "Me too" laptop but
are too cheap to buy the real thing?

Unless this thing can run OS X out of the box,
it is no Air killer.

Speaking of tools, I recently replaced 3
windows machines with a Mac Pro running XP in 3
VMware virtual machines, plus Ubuntu (64 bit
virtual) + OS X. Every tool I need in one box
running faster than my windows boxes.

If you need an ultralight and slow windows
machine by all means, buy this thing.
0 Votes
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performance
richvball44 2nd May 2009
yes, the article does state;

[b}Intel Core 2 Solo

Not exactly how sure a single core can beat a multi-core. And if they can beat multi cores why is Intel making them??
0 Votes
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I like the look of the graphic
use_what_works_4_U 22nd Apr 2009
Does it remind you of anything? Hmmm???

Ok, pricing hasn't been announced but given that the graphic (poster?
box?) looks VERY much like the retail packaging of OS X 10.4,
and given the MSI Wind's reputation as an easy netbook to put
OS X on, and given that the word "Aesthetic" is one of the
most prominent features of the graphic ...

Well I think it's pretty obvious who the machine will be aimed at.

"Do you want a Mac netbook? Are you OK with Windows? Check this
out! (and by the way you could probably figure out how to hackintosh
it)!"

Announced pricing or not, this is just too obviously intended as a
direct Mac portable competitor.
0 Votes
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Might be nice if...
tonyhunterajh 22nd Apr 2009
...I can load Mac OS X on it.

Otherwise, it's just another Windows option for people who are into Microsoft. That's not a bad thing, its just not my thing.
0 Votes
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Even better with openSUSE or Ubuntu!
no_zd_user_name 22nd Apr 2009
and you won't be violating Apple's EULA agreement.
0 Votes
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So that they have to go back and return it for a Windows version?
transposeIT 22nd Apr 2009
nt
0 Votes
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Not at all
shis-ka-bob 2nd May 2009
So you can keep using it at full speed when all your Windows buddies are
wasting clock cycles (and energy) on AV software. Ubuntu is turning out
to be a great OS.
0 Votes
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define 'full speed'
ericesque 2nd May 2009
I measure speed in how productive I can be.

With current hardware, speed is determined less
by how much of your computer's resources are
being used as it is workflow.

In Ubuntu I often need two or more programs to
achieve the same feature set as one program in
Windows. I need to configure more options
because in linux everything is about choice--
even when reasonable defaults are obvious. And
then of course there's maintaining
compatibility with the rest of the world.

Linux isn't hard, it just requires more time
and effort to get the same results.

You can keep your CPU cycles. I'll stick with
what can get the job done fastest.
0 Votes
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The price is $799 and $999
coffeeshark Updated - 22nd Apr 2009
It's been known for some time, the lower end with the Celeron is $799, and the CULV version with HDMI is $999.
0 Votes
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even more infos about the price
molumen 23rd Apr 2009
I found this link to an article about the price
and models:
http://www.techdigest.tv/2009/02/two_msi_x-
slim.html

looks like the price range will be USD699 to
USD999. If it's true, then the 340 is probably my
next portable machine (after Windows 7 is released
though).
0 Votes
+ -
so I guessed right
mark16_15@... 23rd Apr 2009
I said if it costs half as much as a Mac it'll sell well. I'm a teacher. I bought a netbook to uses as I commute to work by train and to use in class for multimedia and mp3 files. Carrying a full laptop was too much for my bask. The netbook does all I need for that. A little bigger and a similar weight and I'd invest in one.
0 Votes
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just listed at $1099
coffeeshark 24th Apr 2009
MSI just listed the x340 at $1099, which I think is a mistake - the under-1000 price point is key, and hopefully when it actually is in stock, it will drop to $999, but right now it's $1099.

http://www.msimobile.com/level3_productpage.aspx?cid=8&id=105
0 Votes
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RE: MSI introduces Macbook Air killer, X-Slim 340
still fiddlin 23rd Apr 2009
6mm (1/4")? Who are they kidding? Measured where, at the edge? Not measured anywhere there's something functional inside is my guess. Technically, my notebook is 0mm thick at its thinnest point...

Looks Ok, but another "me too" product begun by HP's dv2, and soon to be followed by more, as people discover that "fully functional netbook" is an oxymoron.
0 Votes
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Reply to still fiddlin
rplanos@... 23rd Apr 2009
correct but did you read all of the sentence? ..."just 6-millimeters at the thinnest point and 20mm at the thickest." a little over 3/4" isn't bad and hard to beat.
alternative...strap your "fully functional" workstation to your back. does anyone use just one computer anymore?
0 Votes
+ -
eh.
justwait 23rd Apr 2009
Core 2 Solo => Single core. Not interested.

I'd rather pay the extra $1000-$1200 for the Air if meant having that extra core. Believe me, it's that important in this day and age. Oh yeah, and it's a little bit thinner, too.
0 Votes
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Excellent point!
twirth5 Updated - 23rd Apr 2009
As a rescuer of old notebooks, I have found two things that ultimately doom a notebook to the scrap heap: 1) CPU ; and 2) memory capacity. Nearly everything else can be overcome in order to restore an old notebook to its former glory.

While I have been able to upgrade CPUs in some models, there's no chance of fixing the memory limitation.
0 Votes
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Laptop upgrades
the.ksmm 23rd Apr 2009
I recently decided that instead of buying a new laptop or a netbook that I would upgrade my ThinkPad X60. It's a lightweight, ultraportable laptop, and the benefit is that it has a full-fledged Core 2 Duo CPU which allows me to run "real" software on the go rather than limiting myself to non-processor-intensive applications.

In addition, it makes a pretty decent little Hackintosh system.

Upgrading the hard drive and RAM cost less than $150. (Upgrading the RAM alone on a MacBook would cost that much.) I need a new battery, but I suspect that will cost about the same. Big savings over a new laptop that might not have as much processing power.

It's not often a purchase consideration, but the ability to do upgrades on your laptop can extend its useful life by years.
0 Votes
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Is this plank available WITHOUT an OS installed?
emenau 23rd Apr 2009
anyone?
0 Votes
+ -
You can alway put a new OS
digish777 24th Apr 2009
You can always buy the Notebook and install a new OS. May be Windows 7 itself. Ubuntu color is awful.
0 Votes
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Ubuntu color
djchandler 24th Apr 2009
You do know that you can change the desktop colors, don't you? Nothing could be simpler. Have you seen HP Mini 1000 Mi custom theme for Ubuntu?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but your objection to a default color scheme is a pretty far-fetched rationale for not using any modern OS.
0 Votes
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No optical drive?
djchandler 24th Apr 2009
Cheap, cheap, cheap. Not easy to install a different OS because of no DVD/CD. You'll have to boot from USB to do that. And no, I'm not a baby chicken either.

http://www.cnet.com.au/msi-x-slim-x340-339295549.htm
0 Votes
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How does it rival a MacBook?
bbneo 24th Apr 2009
It still has a Microsoft OS.

That means that it's crap... just that it is thin
crap.
0 Votes
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How does a Macbook rival Windows?
Solid Jedi Knight Updated - 3rd May 2009
You are definitely biased against Microsoft. Anyone who has spent anytime using Windows 7 knows that Windows 7 right now has both the buzz and the momentum and will most likely be superior to SnowLeopard. Win 7 kicks Leopard's behind because it doesn't have the record 300 plus patches that Apple had to patch for you guys. Yet all you guys complain about Vista. Well, add up Vista's 2008 patches total and you won't even come close to Leopard's patch count. A so called "superior" OS shouldn't have over 300 patches and over 800 vulnerabilities. But OS-X did have both over 300 patches and over 800 vulnerabilities.

If anything, you should be concerned that Apple's leaves you sitting vulnerable for 95 days. But then again, 25 million OS-X users is nothing compared to 1.1 billion Windows users. Oh thats right, only 3.5 percent of the world uses Apple. The rest use Windows.

I've actually used Windows 7 and its absolutely stellar. Yet I can play the latest games, web based services, have more media store options, and generally a whole lot more software. Apple restricts your right to pick, choose, and who develops software. OS-X is generally unsupported by a good number of ISP's, game developers, web sites, and software developers. Yet on the Windows side, we don't really have that problem. That doesn't sound very "superior" to me.

So how does the Macbook rival a Windows Machine? It doesn't. When a Macbook is actually on par with a Windows OS, then we'll talk again. But if you want your limited user choice OS, you're the one spending over a grand for less choice.

Later.
0 Votes
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RE: MSI introduces Macbook Air killer, X-Slim 340
kswany@... 25th Apr 2009
Most people are buying netbooks. If Windows 7 is as good as everyone says that will be the Macbook Air killer. Who's gonna pay 2 grand when a $400 device will get the same job done.
0 Votes
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W7 is actually better than people say...
ericesque 2nd May 2009
because nobody can put the user experience into
words and do it any justice. Things like smooth,
clean, responsive, and easy come to mind. But
until you get your hands on it, it's just buzz to
you.

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