MSI Introduces All-New AMD Platform Laptops U270, X370, CR650

[btarunr]

MSI will be showing off an array of brand new, powerful display performance notebook computers, including the 15.6-inch CR650, the 12-inch Wind U270, and the 13.4-inch X-Slim X370. Eric Kuo, associate vice president for global sales, MSI Notebook, explains that these lean, mean machines are the ideal choice for active individuals. They include the Wind U270 ,X-Slim X370 ,and CR650 laptops, which pack AMD's landmark dual core E-350 processor which incorporates the AMD Radeon HD 6310 Discrete-Class Graphics chip which supports DirectX 11, greatly enhancing processing performance and battery life. With these portable laptops, you can enjoy multimedia entertainment outside all day.



CR650 multimedia laptop
New generation AMD architecture processor: The CR650 features AMD's newest generation dual core E-350 processor. In addition to boasting x86 architecture processors, these APU (Accelerated Processing Units) are also equipped with AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 Discrete-Class display chips which support DirectX 11 to provide the most powerful processing and display performance available.

Turbo Battery+ power-saving technology: On the CR650, the Turbo Battery+ shortcut allows you to control your digital multimedia with your mouse. A single click lets you control power to the Bluetooth, wireless devices, and Webcam, allowing you to shut off power to idle applications and extend battery time.

SRS PC Sound cinema-grade wrap around sound: The CR650 notebook computers feature SRS PC Sound, so whether you use the internal or external speakers or even earphones, this new generation technology can expand the overall sound field and reproduce sound faithfully to provide natural and true-to-life wrap around sound, satisfying your need for high fidelity and allowing you to enjoy unprecedented sound quality.

New generation Cinema Pro technology: The CR650 also boasts extra powerful multimedia processing capabilities and MSI's own Cinema Pro technology for the best possible graphics. One touch of the Cinema Pro hotkey instantly switches you to film mode for higher resolution and richer colors to bring you the same great audio experience found in live performances, films, and recording studios.

The Wind U270 and X-Slim X370 light laptops
Ultimate display and multimedia performance: The U270 and X370 feature the new generation AMD dual core E-350 processor and the AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 discrete class graphics display chip, giving them superior processing performance as well as powerful display performance on par with that of discrete graphics cards.

All-new 12" light Wind U270: The Wind U270 comes with a comfortable 12-inch 16:9 ratio display, tips the scales at just 1.3 kilos, and is less than one-inch thick. In addition, it comes with MSI's own ECO power-saving design which allows the battery to last more than twice as long as those in conventional notebooks. It is also sheathed in color film print which is not only stylish, but protects against smudging and wear. Now, you can be out and about all day and not worry about your laptop running out of power before you do.

All-new 13" X-Slim X370: To meet the needs of people on the move, MSI is unveiling the X370, which in addition to being aesthetically pleasing and super slim, is large enough to be comfortable to use. Weighing in at only 1.4 kilos, the X370 is highly portable. It not only boasts powerful multimedia and processing capabilities, it comes with MSI's exclusive crystal diamond seal technology and stylish color film print coating.

Fully equipped for multimedia: The U270 features the 720P HD webcam as well as a full array of I/O ports, including USB 3.0, so you have everything you need for multimedia integration and file transfers. USB 3.0 ports transfer multimedia files at 4.8Gbps, ten times faster than USB 2.0, so a Blu-Ray disk only takes about one minute to transfer. The MSI i-charger also recharges handheld multimedia devices more than three times faster than USB 2.0. Now, you don't need to wait long to get your multimedia devices recharged and playing again.

MSI S-Bar: The U270 and X370 also come with user friendly hardware and software. The MSI S-Bar, located at the very top of the desktop, allows you to control major OS and hardware hot keys as well as MSI's own application software with a simple click of the mouse. The S-Bar lets you control all computer systems, auxiliary programs, application programs, power saving functions, performance boost functions, and MSI's multimedia software as well as the controls for the webcam, projector, wireless Internet, Bluetooth connection, volume, image brightness, and sleep mode.

[RejZoR]

Nice but i don't quite understand what's up with graphics part. I thought E-350 core has CPU and GPU inside, yet they mention Radeon 6310 as discrete graphic card. Isn't the stuff inside E-350 as powerful as this dedicated thing? Or does it run in hybrid mode, meaning it uses on-die GPU for low power needs and it Crossfires both for max performance? I'm a bit confused...

[Kantastic]

Originally Posted by RejZoR

Nice but i don't quite understand what's up with graphics part. I thought E-350 core has CPU and GPU inside, yet they mention Radeon 6310 as discrete graphic card. Isn't the stuff inside E-350 as powerful as this dedicated thing? Or does it run in hybrid mode, meaning it uses on-die GPU for low power needs and it Crossfires both for max performance? I'm a bit confused...

The CPU & GPU are one piece of silicon, but AMD labels the graphics processing part as the 6310 and boasts that it offers "discreet class" performance. I was about to drop by Citibank before school and deposit some money to order the HP dm1z today... but I think I'm going to have to wait. USB 3.0 is yum!

Edit: I thought they were on shelves already. These units have been talked about since December/early Janurary, was happy for a second thinking I could get one. I've been eying the X370 for a long time, USB 3.0 & a 13.3 inch screen.

[RejZoR]

Yeah, that would make sense. Because the whole point of Fusion is that you don't need dedicated GPU...

[TheGrapist]

does anyone know what they'll sell for?

[bogie]

Need to see some graphics benchmarks and comparisons before I believe any of the hype.

[TheGrapist]

Originally Posted by bogie

Need to see some graphics benchmarks and comparisons before I believe any of the hype.

didn't we get benchmarks a couple months ago?

[bogie]

Did we, I must of missed them. Can you remember the link?

[TheGrapist]

Originally Posted by bogie

Did we, I must of missed them. Can you remember the link?

it was a fusion overview....i'll look for it

[Frick]

There is a review on Anandtech.

[TheGrapist]

Originally Posted by Frick

There is a review on Anandtech.

thanks for the link

[bogie]

Thanks for finding that link, the graphics seem just capable at 1024x768. Probably a great processor for a sub £400 laptop though.

[TheGrapist]

Originally Posted by bogie

Thanks for finding that link, the graphics seem just capable at 1024x768. Probably a great processor for a sub £400 laptop though.

all i want is a CSS benchmark

[MikeMurphy]

Whoa! A real webcam? That isn't completely junky?

[Coliz91]

Originally Posted by TheGrapist

all i want is a CSS benchmark

Well...actually you might get ar0und 40-60 fps in native res0lution(768p) with full AA&AF

[TheGrapist]

Originally Posted by Coliz91

Well...actually you might get ar0und 40-60 fps in native res0lution(768p) with full AA&AF

that'd be great.....i hope this laptop will be around $400

[xkche]

here another review...

http://www.chw.net/2011/02/amd-fusio...-e350n-usb3/7/

[Kenshai]

Originally Posted by TheGrapist

that'd be great.....i hope this laptop will be around $400

I actually have the DM1Z with the same Fusion E-350 if you'd like me to run the test.

[TheGrapist]

Originally Posted by Kenshai

I actually have the DM1Z with the same Fusion E-350 if you'd like me to run the test.

yes please...and tf2 if you have it

[Kenshai]

Originally Posted by TheGrapist

yes please...and tf2 if you have it

Well at native resolution (720p) it pulled 44 fps average with reflections down and 4xmsaa. Recommended settings were just no AA.

My system has 4 gigs of memory and an ssd. Doubt it would even matter for this game though. I will have to download TF2 and let you know on that one.

[Kantastic]

Kenshai, how's the fan noise on the dm1z? I'm about to order one, but the complaints about an excessively loud fan for such a cool running netbook turns me off.

[Kenshai]

Originally Posted by Kantastic

Kenshai, how's the fan noise on the dm1z? I'm about to order one, but the complaints about an excessively loud fan for such a cool running netbook turns me off.

Let's not clutter up news. YHPM.

[MadMan007]

Originally Posted by RejZoR

Nice but i don't quite understand what's up with graphics part. I thought E-350 core has CPU and GPU inside, yet they mention Radeon 6310 as discrete graphic card. Isn't the stuff inside E-350 as powerful as this dedicated thing? Or does it run in hybrid mode, meaning it uses on-die GPU for low power needs and it Crossfires both for max performance? I'm a bit confused...

It says 'discrete class' graphics...someone in marketing just being a little to market-y really.

[Atom_Anti]

I like the X-Slim X370. Price, availability?

[Kantastic]

Originally Posted by Atom_Anti

I like the X-Slim X370. Price, availability?

I read somewhere that it'll be shipping in spring, and the price is around $700. Don't quote me on the pricing, but the release date I'm pretty sure since multiple tech sites report the same.