MSI Wind U100-291UK review

Launched earlier this year, the MSI Wind uses the same basic design that's more recently been adopted by the Medion Akoya Mini, but weighs slightly more.

This extra bulk comes from the larger battery, which has twice the capacity and therefore gives almost exactly twice the time between charges - well worth a few extra grams in your satchel, we reckon. However, rivals such as the Eee PC and the Samsung NC10 carry on for even longer without causing any hernias.

Aside from the weight difference, there's little to distinguish this machine from the Medion. The case, accommodating a relatively large 10 inch screen, is simple and well designed. Compared to a laptop it's still cramped, but next to the other netbooks it feels comfortably proportioned. Once you hit your stride, and with a little practice, it's possible to forget you're working on such a compact machine. This is simply because its full width has been used to good effect, with the keyboard extending as close as possible to the edges; only a tiny strip of plastic borders it on each side, but the case remains strong and rigid nonetheless.

MSI have also packed in a 160GB hard disk, which is more than enough for a netbook, as they're not intended for storing thousands of huge files. A wide range of memory cards can be added in the built-in card reader, including SD, MMC and MS, providing an easy way to add storage and also making the Wind the perfect companion for keen photographers who want to review their work on a proper screen. A 1.3 megapixel webcam sits above the screen, providing clear pictures for online chat, and WiFi is built in, although it only supports the b and g standards rather than the faster 802.11n.

The Wind is an extremely accomplished netbook, but apart from its so-so battery life it has another problem: the price. Samsung's new contender, the NC10, matches its specifications for £30 less. It's not a big difference, but it does leave the Samsung looking the logical choice.