MSI Wind

[vic]

Hey Guys,
I found this bundle package on Get the best deal on a 10.2 MSI Netbook, the bundle with best reviews and I like the fact that I can do 2 payments, but is it realy worth that much? Any answers appreciated. Do you know someplace that has a better deal on the MSI Wind?
Thanks...

[ericinboston]

Hi Vic,

Well:

1)There is a review of that MSI model on this website...definitely check it out.

2)I am not a fan of software bundles...there are literally millions of software packages you can run on Windows and sites that attempt to "bundle" them is, in my opinion, pointless. Everyone likes their own software (freeware, trialware, or full payware) differently.

3)If you like the machine, I would just purchase the machine from your favorite retailer. Period. You may want a carrying case. But all that other stuff like cooling fans and a mouse is really unnecessary for a netbook...but it's up to you to see if you find value in them.

4)I believe that model MSI is now 1+ years old...you might want to double check...I am not a fan of buying old technology unless it's such a fantastic price that I can't pass it up.

5)I prefer to use my AMEX card when making purchases...AMEX (and some other credit cards) EXTENDS THE FULL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY by 1 year. This is much different (and better) than any "extended warranty" program you can buy at a retailer. Therefore, your comment about 2 payments doesn't excite me.

6)The machine lists for $299. So spending an extra $200 to get your $499 deal does not sound like a deal to me. I would buy the machine for $299 (wherever you want) and then buy WHAT YOU NEED a-la-carte from wherever you want. Most of that $200 extra you are paying at that website is for the software bundle. The only thing in that Software package that is attractive (as a product, not as price) to me is Adobe PSE which I can buy for $10 cheaper anywhere online.


Let me know if you have more questions.

-Eric

p.s. I love buying from Amazon...Buy.com and Newegg.com are good too.

[ThisIsNot]

Well, I wouldn't purchase that bundle. Instead I (as eric suggested) would purchase a netbook separately and then add accessories. Bundled accessories like that tend to be rather cheap in terms of quality and those software packages are never worth it. You can get a quality wireless laser mouse for about $30-$40 and a sleeve for $10. The external DVD drive in that bundle is also probably useless. You have to be careful with those as manufacturers are rolling these out. A cheap drive will fail on you within the first year of ownership. I am talking about a cheap drive, not inexpensive.

I would also stay away from that MSI netbook. As eric mentioned, it is rather old and many other netbooks have been released between now and then featuring better specs/features for less. Newer netbooks can even play 1080p HD videos without issues. Go to your nearest big box retailer to actually look at the netbooks and see which one you like. MSI hasn't updated their netbook line in quite a bit of time. It looks like they are holding off for the new Pineview (or Pinetrail, I forget what it is called, it is the Atom N450 processor though) platform from Intel. This will feature a new single-core 1.66GHz processor (so it won't be more powerful than the N280 which is currently out) and GMA 3150 (or something along those lines) level graphics (still can't handle HD video, that won't be until the next generation of Pinetrail/Pineview). The benefit of this new platform won't be increased performance but rather increased battery life. The new processor and GPU consume far less power than the current solutions. Just to give you an idea, Asus has an Eee PC with a 10" screen that will push 12.5 hours on a single charge.

So you may want to hold off on purchasing a netbook now until the Atom N450 processor infiltrates into the market. The new Eee PC will likely be released next month. I suggest that you save up your Christmas/Holiday/whatever money until the next generation of hardware comes out. I normally tell people to just purchase now but we are so close to the new processors coming out that a 1-2 month wait really isn't all that long.

[vic]

a bunch guys, really appreciate all your comments.