CES 2009: MSI hybrid netbook combines SSD and HDD

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Company's new U115 netbook combines both solid-state and conventional hard disks to give best of both storage worlds.

MSI U115

If you can't decide whether to buy a solid state or a conventional hard disk for your next netbook then MSI has solved the problem for you by including both in its new U115 machine.

The company claims that this is the first notebook in the world that is capable of running both types of disk simultaneously.

The aim is to combat having to decide between performance and capacity, by using the SSD for "primary operation", and the standard disk to file storage. Engaging the "ECO on Mode", will disconnect the conventional disk and increase battery life.

The hard disk capacity is either a 8GB SSD and 120GB HDD or 16GB SSD and 160GB HDD. Other than that, the U115 is a regular netbook with a 10in display, a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, a 1.3 or 2-megapixel webcam, a card reader and three USB ports along with Draft-n wireless and Bluetooth.

Users can choose between a three and six cell battery with the former bringing the U115 in at around 1Kg.

Pricing and a specific release date have not yet been announced by MSI.

Benny Har-Even
Benny Har-Even

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.