Hasta La Gadget!

The evolution of consumer electronics devices are definitely worth following, especially when you consider how the humble mobile phone moved from monochrome displays to color displays, and from MIDI ringtones to MP3 tunes. Well, the world of notebooks are not too different, coming with ever faster processors and better hardware specifications, while losing more in the weight department, too. The natural evolution of Intel-powered notebooks has seen the category of Ultrabooks rise (while the netbook market has more or less will experience its demise this year) to the top of the pile for folks who want adequate processing power on the go while looking uber cool. MSI’s latest offering, the MSI Slider S20 Ultrabook convertible, is here to tempt you to part with your hard-earned cash.

The MSI Slider S20 Ultrabook convertible will deliver a clever mix of portability and performance, boasting a slide-out keyboard that oozes with style, resembling one of the newer generation Sony Ultrabooks as well, running on the Windows 8 operating system and an Intel Core i5 processor. Touted to be the ideal companion for business travelers, students and all of those who want a balance of computing power alongside portability and battery life, the MSI Slider S20 Ultrabook convertible will feature a 16:9 aspect ratio Full HD 10-point touch screen, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD, all crammed into a chassis that tips the scales at 2.2 lbs while measuring under 1” thin.

Andy Tung, vice president of sales for MSI US, said, “Many users prefer the mobility of a tablet, but still need the processing power of an actual laptop computer. MSI’s S20 Ultrabook Convertible solves that problem by combining the best of both worlds, giving users the choice of using it as a tablet or as a laptop.”

Other hardware specifications that has been crammed into the MSI Slider S20 include a Jackson Peak Wireless adapter, Ethernet, a couple of USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth connectivity, a mini HDMI-out connector and a built-in 720P HD webcam. Expect the MSI Slider S20 to hit the markets sometime in the first quarter of the year for $1,199.99 a pop.

Press Release
[ MSI Slider S20 Ultrabook convertible coming your way copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Are you in the market at the moment for a spanking new Ultrabook? If you have answered in the affirmative, then you might be interested to pick up something that is slightly different from the usual suspects that are Lenovo, Dell, Samsung and Toshiba. Ever considered what MSI is able to conjure up? Well, assuming you have $1100 thereabouts to spare, you might want to make a pit stop for the MSI S20 Ultrabook that does seem to resemble a somewhat chunky tablet at first glance, that is, until you slide out the keyboard from under the display. Doing so will make it resemble more like a notebook with a screen that has been locked in place at an approximately 45 degree angle.

First shown off this summer to the masses, the MSI S20 is up for pre-order from ExcaliberPC for $1099, where there are also whispers of it being shipped in Europe for around €999. Underneath the hood of the MSI S20, you will find an Intel Core i5-3317U processor, an 11.6” 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS display, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD, accompanied by a couple of USB 3.0 ports and a mini HDMI port among others. I find it rather difficult to call this an Ultrabook considering the 2kg plus weight though.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Facebook Stories App To Meet New Years Eve Head On, Google Offers Free Calls Within US And Canada Through 2013,

We just got more hands-on time with MSI’s S20 Slidebook, which we first spotted at Computex 2012. This ultra light (2.3 pounds / 1kg) and thin (0.78-inches / 19.8mm) convertible Ultrabook runs Windows 8 (naturally) and packs an Intel Core i5 processor (Ivy Bridge), 4GB RAM and a 128GB mSATA SSD. In front, there’s a gorgeous 11.6-inch 1920×1080-pixel IPS display with a 10-point capacitive multitouch layer plus an HD front-facing camera. A glossy white plastic bezel surrounds the glass panel and incorporates the MSI logo and the Windows button. The back cover is made of a silver magnesium alloy with matching plastic antenna covers for the built-in WiFi b/g/n, WiDi and Bluetooth 4.0 radios. Most of the ports are on the right edge along with the power / lock key and LED indicators — this includes the power input, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a mini-HDMI output and a pair of USB 3.0 connectors. You’ll find a gigabit Ethernet port on the left side plus an SD card reader, orientation lock button and volume rocker in back.

Of course, what sets the S20 apart is its ability to switch instantly from a tablet into a usable laptop. The screen slides up and tilts forward to reveal a chiclet keyboard with excellent key travel and decent spacing. You’re not limited to any specific angle here — the display is fully adjustable from flat to almost perpendicular with the keyboard. The sealed 3-cell 3900mAh battery is rated for 7 hours of continuous operation. We spent several minutes using the Slidebook and came away pretty impressed — it’s incredibly light for its size, the screen is bright and crisp, and the keyboard is comfortable. Even in prototype form, performance and build-quality are top-notch. MSI plans to make its convertible Ultrabook available late November for $1,099 through major US retailers both online and in stores. The company expects to sell other configurations in other markets as well. Take a look at our gallery below and hit the break for our hands-on video.

Continue reading Hands-on with MSI’s S20 Slidebook, a $1,099 Windows 8 convertible Ultrabook (update: video)

Filed under: Laptops, Tablets

Hands-on with MSI’s S20 Slidebook, a $1,099 Windows 8 convertible Ultrabook (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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