Netbook Stages a Comeback with Dual Storages

 Established in 1986 as a hardware supplier whose product lines cover mother board (MB), graphics accelerator card, notebook computer (NB), server/work station, industrial PC, barebone system, communications devices, consumer electronics (CE), and automobile electronics, Micro Star International (MSI) has fast emerged as an important IT manufacturer in Taiwan. To expand its global presence, MSI has employed a multi-product strategy, making inroads into the brand-name product market. Its netbook line, for example, has accumulated enough shipment volume and brand-name publicity to compete with products made by top-tier international assemblers. That’s why the MSI’s netbook product roadmap is the center of attention in the market.

 As this point, the most popular product in the netbook market is no other than the 10-inch model, as netbook makers scramble to come up with their own line. Having successfully launched a 10-inch WIND U100 netbook in 2008, MSI plans on following that up this year with a new 10-inch WIND U115 Hybrid, due to make the market’s acquaintance during CCOMPUTEX TAIPEI 2009. WIND U115 Hybrid comes with a 10-inch wide-screen panel, Intel Menlow platform, memory expandable up to 2GB, built-in XD/SD/MMC/Memory Stick four-in-one card reader, 1.3mn-pixel web cam, three USB 2.0 portals, and supports 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN and Bluetooth connection.

 For storage, WIND U115 Hybrid is equipped with both state-of-the-art solid-state drive (SSD) and the conventional SATA HDD, for a brilliant division of labor. That is, the operating system (OS) is installed on the SSD, which effectively speeds up boot-up and enhances operating efficiency, while the SATA HDD offers ample space for the user’s documents, music, and clutter. Working under MSI’s exclusive ECO power-saving mode, WIND U115 Hybrid will shut off SATA hard drive upon boot-up and run solely on SSD until further notice. Coupling this power-saving mode and a 6-cell battery, WIND U115 Hybrid can work as long as 12 hours straight, taking users to a whole new level of mobile working experience

Will that be a WIMAX or LTE with the latte?
Options kept open as Taiwan & global operators hedge between WIMAX and LTE

The big toss up is on between LTC and WiMAX. Both have strengths and potential that are having operators in both Taiwan and around the world choosing to keep their options open. That’s the clear message from Global Mobile Corp., a domestic WiMAX operator in Taiwan, which recently stated that both its possible partners for base station and equipment procurement are tech-savvy in both areas. Both potential partners, Nokia Siemens and Huawei, are currently racing to develop WiMAX and LTE technology that will allow them to easily switch between WiMAX to LTE at minimal costs.

 Taiwan’s WiMAX operators are highly interested in using LTE (Long Term Evolution) which is said to be one of the 4G wireless communication technologies and that’s also why WiMAX base station suppliers like Nokia Siemens, Huawei and Samsung Electronics are working overtime to create compatible systems to combine the strengths of both WiMAX and LTE. The coming integrated system promises will bring much greater flexibility and cut costs by doing away with the need to reconstruction entire networks.