MSI U115 Hybrid Packs Both SSD and HDD

By Geoff Duncan Published December 30, 2008

MSI U115 Hybrid Packs Both SSD and HDD

Noted Taiwanese netbook maker Micro-Star International (MSI) has officially taken the wraps off its U115 Hybrid ultra-portable computer, and while the specs pretty much heel to the rest of the burgeoning netbook industry, it does sport a capability like no other netbook: it packs both a solid-state drive and a traditional hard drive (and can access both at the same time), offering both the battery savings and mobile safety of an SSD along with the storage capacity of traditional hard drives.

The U115 Hybrid runs mainly off the SSD—so users are more immune to the bumps, shocks, and drops of their mobile lifestyle—but can set up file storage on the separate internal hard drive. The notebook also sports an “ECO on” mode that shuts down the hard disk for improved battery live and performance. Users can spin up the hard drive any time they need to retrieve files or media.

Recommended Videos

The U115 Hybrid features a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, a 1,024 by 600 pixel LED-backlit LCD display, an optional 1.3 or 2 megapixel Webcam, three USB 2.0 ports, 802.11b/g/n or b/g Wi-Fi wireless networking, optional Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and a 4-in-1 media card reader. The systems pack 1 GB of RAM (upgradable to 2 GB), and will be available with 8 and 16 GB SSDs and 120 and 160 GB 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives. MSI also says the keyboard has comparatively large key spacing for easier typing.

MSI hasn’t released any pricing or availability information, but we’d expect the U115 Hybrid to start landing at retailers in early 2009.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Everyone hates this AMD CPU, but I still use it in my PC

A small form factor build inside the Fractal Terra.

Gamers Nexus called it a "wasted opportunity." Hardware Unboxed declared it a "flop." Even in our own Ryzen 7 9700X review, I said the CPU doesn't have "enough meat on the bone to justify an upgrade." So, why does the Ryzen 7 9700X top the list of the best processors? And more importantly, why am I using one in my personal PC?

I'll do my best to answer these forced questions. The disappointment in the Ryzen 7 9700X isn't truly universal -- no opinions about PC hardware are -- but there's no doubt that it's the outcast in AMD's lineup of Ryzen 9000 CPUs. It's not great for gaming in the face of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and you can save $50 to $70 with the Ryzen 7 7700X while getting largely similar productivity performance. But AMD's trusty little Zen 5 octa-core is still at the heart of my high-end gaming PC, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
A flexible little devil

Computing

I had to try 4 high-end gaming mice to find one I actually liked

Four gaming mice, side-by-side.

I always thought picking the best gaming mouse for myself sounded simple enough. I've spent hours poring over graphics cards or processors, but mice? Not really. I always treated them as a straightforward pick and never spent too much time reading reviews. It helps that in the games that I play, even an average mouse can do just fine.

Or so I thought.

Computing

Gemini gets image creation trick in Docs and Calendar access in Gmail

Gemini running on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google has announced a laundry list of feature updates for Workspace users, with a focus on using its Gemini AI across products like Gmail, Docs, and Calendar.

For folks who rely on the side panel in Gmail, there is some good news. Gemini can now directly access the Calendar information from within the inbox side panel and perform relevant actions.