MSI Megabook S250 - Mini Review

[ikonia]

directhex, this is one of the reasons I'm really considering one.

I walked through the hardware spec'd on the MSI site and all the hardware gets %100 support, chipset good, even the wi-fi.

If I can get hold of one for a day or so just to try it for usablilty on a personal taste/hardware level I'm going to take one

[directhex]

directhex, this is one of the reasons I'm really considering one.

I walked through the hardware spec'd on the MSI site and all the hardware gets %100 support, chipset good, even the wi-fi.

If I can get hold of one for a day or so just to try it for usablilty on a personal taste/hardware level I'm going to take one

i'd just like to hear it, is all. theoretical hardware compatability is no guarantee with laptops - god knows there are enough systems with buggy ACPI implementations to throw a spanner in the works

[ikonia]

agreed, but as I said according to the hardware list it "should" work.

If I could just try one of these things, I'd probably buy one and chance it. It doesn't look like MSI offer any sort of Linux stamp on their kit, which is fine. Maybe they might like to lend me one for a few days and I'll test it for them ;o)

[John - MSI]

agreed, but as I said according to the hardware list it "should" work.

If I could just try one of these things, I'd probably buy one and chance it. It doesn't look like MSI offer any sort of Linux stamp on their kit, which is fine. Maybe they might like to lend me one for a few days and I'll test it for them ;o)

We do not support Linux as an operating system. By this we mean the notebook is pre-installed and includes a licence for microsoft windows XP. As is the case with our desktop systems also, there should not be any problem running linux on the notebook, apart from sourcing the correct drivers.

There are a number of Linux drivers out there for common hardware, so providing you find the correct ones Linux will run fine. Unfortunatly MSI does not source these drivers, and cannot guarantee the system WILL work with them as they are made by third partys.

In summary, you find the drivers, no problem. If you can't, I would not reccommend using.

[walibe]

Both the S250 and S260 models (intel) are the only MSI 12.1" widescreen notebooks currently for sale in the UK

I think you'll find aopen also has a very similar machine with a 12" widescreen with identical res and available in a barebones configuration.

Its the AMD model of yours that I want though - maybe

[ikonia]

walibe I'd be interested in hearing more about these machines....

[ThePhased]

At the moment the S270 is not yet available in the UK. We are expecting the model to be available in approx 1 month time. I will put a post in when we have it available. Both the S250 and S260 models (intel) are the only MSI 12.1" widescreen notebooks currently for sale in the UK

I have contacted a few resellers on this US reseller list here and they said they expect to have the S260/S270 notebooks soon. Do you have any rough idea of when they will be available in the US? 1-2 months?

[n1smo]

Does the S250 support 533mhz processors? I've looked at the SIS website and it appears that the chipset can support it, does the motherboard support it?

To clear any confusion... The S250 notebook Rys has is a modified version of the S250 avaiable for sale from MSI in the UK. The specs of the product we are currently selling is:

Product Specifications

Processor - 1.3GHz Intel Celeron M 350
RAM - 256 MB
Hard Disk - 40 GB
Optical Drive - Combi CDRW & DVD-ROM
Graphics - UMA
Screen Size - 12.1 inches
Native Resolution - 1280 x 800
Ports - 1 x D-Sub, 3 x USB2.0, 1 x IEEE1394, 1 x Mic in, 1 x Headphone out, 1 x RJ45, 1 x RJ11
Battery - Li-ion
Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Home
Width - 303 mm
Depth - 225 mm
Height - 28 mm
Weight - 1.8 kg
Features - 3 in 1 Card Reader (MMC, SD, MS)

The notebook is based on the SiS 661 chipset hence is at a very good value, but is obviously not "Centrino". The S260 (next model up) is Centrino and uses Intel® 915GM + ICH6-M chipset! Cost is higher, but with Centrino capability and Pentium-M the performance & battery life are better.

The exact spec Rys currently has is not avaiable in the UK currently, but the slight upgrades should be appriciated when working in Taipei

There are a number of places stocking the S250 currently. I know Scan have recently taken on the model and will have it on their website soon.... Morgan and CCL both currently have is for sale.

[ikonia]

what a great thread this turned out to be.

Is there any more info on these being released into shops or specs yet.

I'm waiting for more options on specs to be released

[ikonia]

has any more come out of this ?

Is there any more info on available spec's upgrades ?

Has anyone else got one yet and has any comment on how they are working out for them.

I'm still really close to getting one, its the first laptop to light up my eyes for a while, but I can't warrent the spend of £800 or around without more info or at least seeing one.

[walibe]

That an everyone seems to have stopped carrying the other models...

[Jonny M]

I think you'll find aopen also has a very similar machine with a 12" widescreen with identical res and available in a barebones configuration.

That's the notebook which Dell sell as the Inspiron 700m.

[walibe]

I didn't think the dell 700m ever made it to the UK?

[ikonia]

it looks like no-one in the uk will ever buy an MSI 250/260 for me to get all the info from

[Dim]

I bought one. I damaged it and sent it to MSI UK for repair. They repaired it with inferior quality parts and cracked the LCD while repairing it.

I sent it back but they insist it was damaged in transit. (Their courier mind you!) Now, have no notebook and MSI wanted to charge me for the screen they damaged.

Be very careful buying from these guys as although it's a nicce little notebook, their UK operation isn't really up to servicing these systems. Think they only normally deal with motherboards and components. You might find your warranty is worthless like I did.You can't phone anyone there and they take about 2 weeks to answer emails, if at all. As long as you never need the notebook repaired or serviced though, they're a good little PC but a bit flimsy in construction.

[ikonia]

ordered a fully speced version of the S260 from a company in Germany that is an MSI re-seller. Really good spec, helpful service (speaks excellent english) UK keymap uk etc etc. Really pleased. Should be here in the next couple of days.

I tried to contact MSI in the UK with various requests about this, and got no respone. 1 guy was really good though, however he was in marketing and could really do more than offer advice.