Dual-Core Zacate Zips into MSI Wind U270 Laptop

Swirling around inside MSI's newest Wind U270 notebook is AMD's "Zacate" E-350 dual-core processor. Zacate is the codename, of course, the E-350 being AMD's first fully integrated CPU-GPU combination, otherwise known as an APU, or Accelerated Processing Unit. And if you're stockpiling buzzwords, go ahead and add "Fusion" to the mix, which is AMD's marketing moniker for these parts.

So we know the Wind U270 sports an E-350 processor inside, but what else is it packing? Take a look:
  • 12.1-inch HD (1366x768) LED backlit display
  • AMD Radeon HD 6310 discrete graphics
  • 250/320GB hard drive
  • 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
  • 4-in-1 media card reader
  • Stereo speakers
  • 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, Gigabit LAN
  • HDMI, VGA
  • 3/6-cell battery
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
Not a bad spec sheet for a slightly oversized netbook or ultraportable, or whatever designation you want to slap on it. And of course MSI includes an assortment of proprietary software, like its Easy Face biometric facial recognition software, ECO power saving technology, MSI i-Charger technology to charge USB devices faster, and more.

No word yet on price or availability.

MSI's Wind U270 Laptop
The epitome of beauty, power, and portability

MSI unveiled its 12.1-inch Wind U270 notebook computer with AMD's new generation dual core E-350 processor, USB3.0, HDMI port, and HD720p webcam. A highly mobile machine that offers everything you need in a notebook computer and performance on par with discrete graphics card-packing computers.

Taipei—Do high performance notebook computers necessarily need to be big and clunky? MSI just rolled out its new generation Wind U270 laptop which is light and portable like a netbook, but has a comfortable 12.1-inch screen, a full-size Chicklet keyboard, and features AMD's powerful new dual core E-350 processor with AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 Discrete-Class display chip for awesome display performance on par with that of a discrete graphics card. Both highly portable and powerful, the Wind U270 gives you the best of both worlds.

Eric Kuo, associate vice president for global sales, MSI Notebook, notes that the Wind U270 is easy-to-carry and comes sheathed in a color film print with classic checkerboard pattern that is not only stylish, but also protects against smudging. The perfect fusion of high tech and art, the powerfully portable Wind U270 NB is equipped with a complete array of functions, including the new generation USB3.0, HDMI, and HD720p webcam.

New AMD processing platform
New AMD APU architecture processor: The Wind U270 features AMD's new generation dual core E-350 processor. In addition to packing x86 architecture core, the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) processor sports the AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 discrete class display chip which supports DirectX 11, offering powerful processing and display performance on par with discrete graphics cards.

DirectX 11 for more detailed graphics: The Wind U270 features the AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 Discrete-Class display chip which supports DirectX 11 for enhanced graphics. In addition, AMD's new generation E-350 processor supports ATI Stream which helps the graphics processor and the CPU work in concert, boosting computing performance.

All the function and style you could ask for
Classy gradated coating: With its subtle gradated checkerboard design, the cover of the Wind U270 exudes an artistic feel, while the layered tones accentuate the unparalleled elegance of this chic machine. In addition to giving the U270 a character all its own, MSI's color film print protects it against scratching and wear. The Wind U270 also comes with an attractive independent Chiclet keyboard for a nice, solid feel when you type.

USB3.0: MSI's Wind U270 comes with new USB3.0 ports which boast transfer speeds of 4.8Gbps—10 times faster than USB2.0, and 80% faster power transmission, providing vastly higher data transfer rates and charging speeds for external hard drives, flash drives, and other handheld electronic devices.

HDMI and HD720p webcam:
The MSI Wind U270 comes with a cinema-class 16:9 ratio LED display, which not only offers richer colors, but doesn't have those pesky black strips at the top and bottom of the screen when you watch HD films. The U270 laptop also comes equipped with an HD720p webcam to give you rich, smooth, clear pictures when conferencing with friends and family. If you like watching HD films on something larger than a computer screen, the U270's HDMI slot lets you connect to LCD TVs.

Exclusive software
Easy Face biometric software: The Wind U270 comes preloaded with MSI's own facial recognition software which works in concert with the high definition webcam to protect your data biometrically. Easy Face remembers passwords for MSN accounts as well as login passwords for websites and systems and can integrate all passwords for your personal accounts under one lock and key—your unique facial features. It remembers your passwords, so you don't have to.

S-Bar: MSI's Wind U270 laptop not only offers the most powerful hardware available, both hardware and software are designed with the user in mind. The S-Bar toolbar, located at the top of the screen, consists of shortcuts for major OS programs, hardware, and MSI’s own applications. Use it to control all system functions, auxiliary programs, and applications as well as an array of programs, such as software to save power and boost performance, as well as MSI’s multimedia software, the webcam, the projector, the wireless, Bluetooth, volume control, screen brightness, and standby mode. Operating multimedia was never easier.

ECO engine power saving technology:
MSI's exclusive ECO technology allows the user to extend battery life with one touch. You can choose from among five power management scenarios—Video Game, Film, Presentation, Word Processing, and Turbo Battery, effectively maximizing battery life. Tests show that the MSI U270 can run up to 8 hours on a single charge. *Actual battery time may vary with differences in computer use and settings.

MSI i-Charger technology: The Wind U270 also comes with MSI's i-Charger technology which pumps more power through USB slots, so you can recharge devices up to three times faster. Now, while others are waiting for their mobile devices to recharge, you can be enjoying yours.