Someone needs to do something about MSI’s product names.. they are just darn right strange. Case in point – the newly announced MSI nettop series called the Wind Netons. That’s right.. Netons. What the heck is a Neton anyhow?

Making up the new Wind Neton product lineup are three systems – the M16, M19, and M22 – with the numbers indicating the size (or nearly the size) of the built-in display.

On the low end of the spectrum, you have the Neton M16 with a 15.6 inch display, a 1366 x 768 resolution, and a price of around $400 dollars. The M16 will be coming out in February 2009.

The midrange model is the Neton M19 which features an 18.5 inch display, a resolution of 1366 x 768, and sells for around $500 dollars. The M19 will be coming out in January of 2009.

Finally, on the high end, the Neton M22 comes with a 22 inch display, a resolution of 1920 x 1080, and a price of roughly $800 dollars. The M22 will be coming out in March of 2009.

It’s assumed that all the priced systems will feature the single core Atom processor although MSI plans on offering the dual core Atom processor as well. The single core desktops will come with Windows XP while the dual core desktops will feature Windows Vista.

Again.. what the heck is a “Neton”?

[Check it out via Crave]

Technorati Tags: MSI Wind Neton M16, M19, M22

Shuttle now offers an Atom-powered barebones nettop system called the X27. The system measures a mere 3 liters in volume, comes with a black piano mirror finish, and produces only 23 db of noise.

The Shuttle X27 has the following specifications:

• Mini ITX form factor
• Intel Atom 230 processor integrated on board
• Intel 945GC + ICH7
• 1 x 240 pin DDR2 DIMM slots – supports 2GB DIMMs
• Intel GMA 950 256 bit 3D graphics
• Realtek ALC662 5.1 Channel High Definition audio
• Marvell 88E8056
• IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T specification compliant
• 10MB/s,100MB/s,1GB/s
• Support Wake-On-LAN function
• UltraDMA100 IDE channel Master from ICH7
• On-board SATA connector
• 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 DVI port, PS/2 ports, Gigabit port
• Measures 250 x 185 x 70 mm

The X27 is currently available on Newegg’s website for $189. You can also purchase the Shuttle X27 as a pre-configured system (known as the X2700) with prices starting at $399. This particular model comes with a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 80GB SATA HDD, DVD burner, Logitech desktop keyboard/mouse combo, and 5.1 channel sound.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle X27, nettop, Intel Atom

[Reprinted from NetbookTech] Intel officially began shipping their new dual core Intel Atom processor last week known as the Intel Atom Processor 330. The new processor model is designed specifically for nettop systems and feature:

• 1.6GHz processing core
• 1MB L2 cache
• 8W TDP
• Support for DDR2 667MHz memory

According to the Intel PR Chip Shots blog, the new processor is available as part of new Intel Desktop Board called the D945GCLF2. The specs for the D945GCLF2 include:

• Mini-ITX form factor
• Integrated 45nm Intel Atom Processor 330
• Intel 945GC Express Chipset
• Realtek ALC662 audio codec
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Eight USB 2.0 ports
• Two SATA ports
• One parallel ATA IDE interface
• One serial and parallel port
• Once PCI bus connector

Even though these new dual core Atom processors are designed for nettop systems, it’s not far fetched to imagine someone deciding to use these processors for netbook systems. Let’s hope so!

[Check it out via NetbookTech, DailyTech]

Technorati Tags: Intel Dual Core Atom Processor 330, Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF2