MSI U270 review
A smart little laptop, but the U270 isn’t as well equipped as its similarly priced competitors
Specifications
11.6 in 1,366×768 display, 1.3kg, 1.6GHz AMD E-350, 2.00GB RAM, 320GB disk, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Unsurprisingly, audio quality from the integrated speakers was basic at best. A distinct lack of bass, low volume and a sharp high end means we suggest plugging in headphones for anything more than internet video.
Typing on the full-size, Chiclet-style keyboard was reasonable, although we did notice a clear flex in the keyboard tray that appeared with only minor pressure. Each key had a decent amount of travel and a precise springy action, so we were confident that our presses would be recognised. Unfortunately, the tiny touchpad is nowhere near as good; both the pad itself and the buttons below it felt too small, with a finish that creates slightly too much friction and stiff buttons.
We liked the U270’s small size, but it came up short in terms of memory and hard disk space when compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad S205. It also can’t compete with the IdeaPad’s excellent build quality and fantastic keyboard. If you’re looking for something more powerful than a netbook, the Lenovo is the better choice.
Basic Specifications | |
---|---|
Rating | *** |
Processor | AMD E-350 |
Processor clock speed | 1.6GHz |
Memory | 2.00GB |
Memory slots | 2 |
Memory slots free | 0 |
Maximum memory | 8GB |
Size | 31x297x190mm |
Weight | 1.3kg |
Sound | Realtek HD Audio |
Pointing device | touchpad |
Display | |
Viewable size | 11.6 in |
Native resolution | 1,366×768 |
Graphics Processor | AMD Radeon HD 6310 |
Graphics/video ports | HDMI |
Graphics Memory | 384MB |
Storage | |
Total storage capacity | 320GB |
Optical drive type | none |
Ports and Expansion | |
USB ports | 3 |
Bluetooth | no |
Wired network ports | 1x 10/100 |
Wireless networking support | 802.11n |
PC Card slots | none |
Supported memory cards | SDHC, MMC, Memory Stick |
Other ports | minijack audio output, minijack microphone input, 1x USB3 |
Miscellaneous | |
Carrying case | No |
Operating system | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit |
Operating system restore option | restore partition |
Software included | Microsoft Office 2010 Starter edition |
Optional extras | none |
Buying Information | |
Warranty | one year RTB |
Price | £338 |
Details | www.msi.com |
Supplier | http://www.cclonline.com |