Hybrid MSI netbook combines SSD and hard drive
MSI's new Wind netbook, the U115, combines spinning disks and flash to create what it describes as the world's first hybrid-storage netbook.
It runs on an 8GB solid state drive most of the time to improve performance, with the 160GB hard drive acting as mass storage. This is an iffy proposition: most solid state drives, especially those used in netbooks, do not perform as well as hard drives when it comes to read- and write-speeds. There are, however, improvements in power consumption and durability to consider, too.
It's otherwise standard netbook fare: 1.6GHz Atom CPU, optional 6-cell battery, a 10-inch display with 600 lines, an integrated card reader, 802.11n, and the right shift key in a randomly determined location.
The World's First Hybrid Storage Netbook- MSI U115 Hybrid [MSI]
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This sounds great, yet another want I can't afford. However, why only 8G?
That's an interesting compromise if power management is handled well. I share Rob's concern about the SSD performance - especially if a paging file is placed on it. Since RAM is dirt cheap, wouldn't it make sense for these netbooks to come stuffed with RAM (at least 2gb) to provide generous caching and minimize the need for a paging file?
They don't come with more than 1GB of RAM because Microsoft won't license Windows XP for systems with more.
Looks like the shift key is at home next to the forward slash..
@#2 and #3: They've relaxed that restriction so there are now netbooks with >1 GB.
And many/most can be easily upgraded by the user.
MS trying to control the hardware market sucks. More netbooks mfrs need to offer linux.
I'm dualbooting puppy linux and XP on my ultraportable and it works great. The whole OS is less than 100 MB and it boots/shuts down in 50% the time it takes XP.