Significance and importance of netbooks are unquestionable. There are lot of users that need small, light and cheap portable computer. But what about those that need light, cheap but not so small notebook? Until now there was no, relatively, cheap models to satisfy those users, but MSI created X-Slim X320 model to suite perfectly needs of those users.

Exterior
When asked, MSI representatives didn’t deny that inspiration for their X320 was Apple MacBook Air notebook. If we ignore MSI tags on chassis and cover, MSI X320 can be, easily, identified as MacBook Air. Whole chassis is black while cover is made out of shiny black plastic with discreet metallic flavor. At first glance that “black metallic paint” detail is unnoticeable, but it actually looks like a clear night sky if it’s looked a little bit closer. Rest of the chassis is matte. Monotony of black matte surfaces is broken by MSI logo on cover and chromed plastic frames around side connectors. When it comes to exterior of this notebook it is not likely that it will pass unnoticed, but at the same time it will not look like some tacky accessory.

One of the first features of MSI X-Slim X320 that will strike you will, most certainly, be its “slimness” – just 20mm (2cm=0.79inch). Sloped edges only contribute to visual effect of slimness. Of course dimensions alone don’t mean much if they’re not paired with low weight. MSI X-Slim X320 with 12.4inch display weighs only 1.35kg. As comparison, MSI Wind U90 << http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Notebooks/MSI-Wind-U90.html  >> with 8.9inch display weighs 1.1kg. Display with LED backlight has 16:9 ratio and decent picture quality.

Big difference in price between MSI X-Slim X320 and Apple MacBook Air implies that X320 falls behind its “role model” in more than few details. Chassis of MSI X-Slim X320 is pretty elastic and bends more than MacBook Air. Keyboard is good but key strokes are little bit too shallow and noisy. Touchpad is discreetly embedded in palm rest. For a change, touchpad is big and precise. Touchpad rocker buttons are not our favorite solution, but we must admit that “dead zone” in the middle is very small, so we didn’t have too much problems with touch pad buttons.