MSI AE2220-25SUS 21.6-Inch Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is being updated as of late March 2010 to maintain accuracy. MSI has added models to their already long lineup. The TV tuner in my first 25SUS failed, the keyboard was DOA, and Amazon replaced the entire unit. More on that below, but I have to give Amazon 5 stars for their outstanding customer service. As always, be sure of your warranty and return policies. Plus: Lots of good user comments at the bottom of this review.
This review is about MSI's Wind Top "Multi Touch" (touch screen) AE2220 25SUS. The 2220 Series now apparently has seven models, the 25, 26, 27, 66, and 69SUS, and now the 236 and 237US. You can also find the 1900, the 2010, the 2020 and the 2200 series in MSI's ALL-In-One line of PC's. The here reviewed AE2220 25SUS probably qualifies as the top model of the entire line as of this date (now see AE2220 237US also). If you do a search for this specific model you will find a very good (and very positive) review at Benchmark Reviews, one which also links to an exhaustive Lavalys EVEREST configuration report. And as noted below, check YouTube.
Not to confuse the issue, but there is also an "AE 2220 Hi Fi" glowingly reviewed on the web, although the model is NOT listed on MSI's U.S. website as of this date and does NOT appear to be available in the states. "Hi Fi" elements may be built into the 25SUS. A highly configurable and more expensive AE 2240 model is supposed to appear in the second quarter of 2010. MSI has also shown concept 3D and hybrid projector machines. MSI breeds computers like rabbits. There are 21 models in the Wind Top line on MSI's US site (msicomputer) right now, and it ain't gonna get any simpler unless they start shooting some of them.
Be aware that as of the date of this review the AE2220 pictures on Amazon are outdated, including those of the rear panel. I have posted some user pictures which should be of some help. If you do a search for this unit you will find pictures of a black rectangle mounted in clear plexiglass, and that seems to be what is shipping. It is what I received. Further, the specifications listed on Amazon (and elsewhere) are sometimes incomplete and incorrect. Go to msicomputer (the U.S. site, not the Global) to very carefully check the specifications of the All-In-One model you are considering. Some have touch screens and some do not; some are XP, some Vista, some Win 7, now there are three 64 bit models; there is a variety of processors, hard drives and on-board memory in the Wind Top line, and I have found no way to do a side-by-side comparison. The 25SUS and the 2220-237US may be the only ones with a built-in hi definition capable TV tuner.
What is it? This is an "All-In-One" (AIO) PC, that new generation of computer which combines all of its components--save for the keyboard, mouse and power supply--into the same space occupied by (in this case) a 21.5" diagonal monitor. It really is a hybrid: It is a quite powerful "multi" touch screen PC running Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit; it is a computer monitor, because it has inputs; it is a high definition capable television with a built-in tuner; it is a high definition video playback device with a built in Blue Ray DVD player and it is also an advanced audio playback device with incredible on board sound. Wireless 802.11b/g/n integrates it seamlessly into your network.
AE2220 25SUS: Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit, Intel® Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.2GHz), NVIDIA® GeForce 9300 Integrated Graphics (256MB VRAM), 21.5" Multi-Touch Widescreen (16:9), 1920 x 1080, 1080p, 4GB DDRII 800MHz SDRAM, 500GB SATA2 Hard Disk Drive, Blu-Ray Disc(tm) playback, CD/DVD playback/burning (no Light Scribe mentioned), 802.11b/g/n (Wireless), HD Audio, 2.0 Speakers with SRS Premium Sound, 1 x S/PDIF-OUT, 1 x Microphone-IN, 1 x Headphone-OUT, 1.3MP Webcam with Microphone, 4-in-1 Card Reader, 6 x USB 2.0, 1 x eSATA IN, 1 x VGA Monitor-IN, 1 x HDMI Monitor-IN, 1 x LAN jack (RJ45). Dimensions 21.81" W x 15.89" H x 2.42 D", about 26 pounds.
Ships with the All-In-One CPU, wireless keyboard and mouse, external power supply, remote control, HD TV antenna, antenna to coax adapter, documents, NO OS media.
You can put it on your desk, which is really cool, but this thing is just begging to be placed on your kitchen counter or hung on a wall. It's being sold as a piece of interactive art, and it's an attractive idea. You must disassemble and remove the support stand to install a standard VESA wall mount. I will send you a link to this information if you ask in the comments below. In the kitchen or den it becomes a touch screen source for news, weather, sports or whatever, be it on TV or the Internet; a beautiful display for digital photographs; an Internet radio, with superb on board sound; a complete media center with high definition DVD playback and, well, on and on. Further, among competing models by other manufacturers the MSI Wind Top line offers exceptional value.
This is not really a gaming machine, although it will run up to mid-level games quite well. True gaming machines generate a lot of heat and therefore need lots of cooling, and the All-In-One configuration is not yet where serious gamers should be looking. This low power consumption PC--something like 90 watts under full load--was NOT built with gamers in mind, and criticizing the 25SUS on this basis is not only silly but a waste of time. One can, however, theoretically hook up a gaming console to this machine through the HDMI port (I have not personally done so) and use it as a 1080p gaming monitor.
Unfortunately I both love this machine and am shaking my head. It should be a 5 star product, but I am docking it 1 star for documentation and 1 for hardware issues to give it a 3.
I started my search for a new desktop with several criteria in mind: I wanted a reasonably powerful Windows 7 64 bit machine (the 25SUS is 32 bit) and I really wanted a built-in TV tuner. I looked at everything in the all-in-one genre, particularly Sony and HP; I liked the Sony, and then came across this one. It seemed to have everything I wanted in a compact design and at an incredible price point for what was offered, particularly the port configuration where HP was lacking. Plus, it was cutting edge, sort of. I know MSI components very well, MSI has a terrific reputation and this one was getting very good ink.
Now for the problems. The first lies in MSI's documentation, which is absolutely abysmal ("Yeah, we hear that all the time" an MSI tech told me on one of my calls). When you are looking to buy a product of this caliber you want very good, highly accurate and detailed pre-purchase information, and preferably a simple way to do comparisons among models. You CAN get what appear to be accurate technical details on specific models at MSI's U.S. site (msicomputer), NOT the Global--this is another source of confusion--and I strongly suggest that you do. Still, much of the information on the web is generic, lacking in critical detail, sometimes conflicting and occasionally written in poor English.
Take the operating system. It is listed almost everywhere as "Windows 7 Home Premium", with no reference online or in the manual as to whether it is 32 or 64 bit. You may see the CPU listed as "64 bit capable" but this is irrelevant. Most new computers in this league, including laptops, are today shipping with 64 bit systems. This is not a minor detail. The 25SUS is shipping with a 32 bit system (now three AE 2220 64 bit models at msicomputer, see below), and the only way you can ascertain this is to go into the machine's functions and directly check the specification. I ran the the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on my machine and it states that the system is 64 bit compatible. Why MSI chose to ship a 32 bit system is anyone's guess, although they may have had reasons for so doing. Further clouding the issue, MSI lists 64 bit drivers on its website alongside the x86 drivers for this machine. So, don't be surprised if 64 bit systems suddenly and spontaneously appear in the Wind Top line...
UPDATE: Apparently in "MSI Speak" if the system spec doesn't specifically state "64 bit" you can assume it's 32 bit. MSI is now listing three "Windows® 7 64 bit Home Premium" models at msicomputer, the AE 2020-098US, the AE2220-236US, and the AE2220-237US. The 237US appears to most closely match the 25SUS in hardware specs, but may now be the top of the line unit given a slightly larger hard drive and the 64 bit operationg system.

A 64 bit bump on the 25SUS would not be for the faint of heart, given the MSI support mess, although we'd like to hear from any of you who are so brave.
OK, so you go to the manual and download it in advance, right? The "manual" for this unit, if it can be called that (Revision V1.1), is for the AE 2220 "series" and is an absolute disaster. It makes no distinction among five models, even though there are significant differences among them. Worse, the "information" therein is incomplete, conflicting and downright inaccurate. Update: MSI now lists a manual Revision 1.2 downloadable for the AE2220 series at msicomputer. The manual is a definite improvement, but is still sorely lacking.
And now let's move on to the hardware problems, which are exemplified in Revision 1.1...
...like MEMORY. The manual specifically states that "2 DDR2 667/ 800 SO-DIMM slots (200 pins/ 1.8V)...Supports the maximum of 8 GB". BUT, online specifications for the 2220 series state that the amount is fixed and CANNOT be changed. In fact there is a removable cover on the back of the machine concealing two 2 GB (4 GB total) chips and no open slots. Whether these can be bumped to 2 x 4 = 8 GB is anyone's guess; as of today Crucial's scanner comes up blank and support is quoting...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: MSI AE2220-25SUS 21.6-Inch Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)

MSI Wind Top AE2220-25SUS All-in-One Desktop AE2220-25SUS 1102

Click here for more information about MSI AE2220-25SUS 21.6-Inch Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)

Read More...

HP TouchSmart TM2-1070US 12.1-Inch Riptide Argento Laptop - Up to 9.75 Hours of Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First: My review is for a slightly different configuration of the tm2t. I have the upgraded processor, Core 2 Duo SU9600 (1.60GHz, 800MHz FSB) w/512MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 4550 Graphics, and the 500 GB HDD. I've had it for a week now and the short of it is: I love it. I'd give it 4.5/5 stars if Amazon would let me. I rounded down to 4 stars as there are a few nitpicky things keeping it from perfect.
Second: I love tablets. My previous laptop was a Toshiba R15, but it was getting a little old and the battery was dying, so it was time to look around for another. So why not wait for the glut of slate tablets this year, such as the ipad or HP Slate? Well, I love being able to hand-write notes, draw and sketch, and yet still type for a variety of projects I use the laptop for. I love Microsoft OneNote (one of the few programs they really got right), and I'm not sure how well it would run (if at all, like on the ipad) on the slates, and I don't mind navigating with a stylus (sometime I even prefer it). Mostly, though, I really need to be able to type (a lot) for both work and home. Yes, you can get docks for the slates that let you type, but they seem clunky so far and I always liked having the convertible so the keyboard is always with you, and truth be told, I do spend more time in notebook mode than in tablet mode, but I still do have the option of running it as you would a slate. So choosing a tablet has much to do with how you plan on using it.
Pros:
-First (and only, as far as I can tell) tablet with an option for discrete graphics. I've been waiting for this for years.
-Very light and easily portable
-Switchable graphics helps saves battery power, overall battery life is good
-Large touchpad area
-Sound is great for such a small machine
-HP Touchsmart software
Cons:
-Occasional poor touchpad/touchscreen operation
-No physical lock to keep screen down when in tablet mode, screen can be hard to grab to convert back to notebook
-Screen rotation is manual
Graphics: One of the main selling points for me was the option for the discrete graphics. As a previous tablet user, I had to watch while all the other notebook users got to play their games while I couldn't. Now, finally, my laptop can do everything I want. I'm able to play Everquest 2 on it, which is a very graphics-demanding application (I couldn't run it at all on my Toshiba, and I'm sure the default GMA 4500 Graphics accelerator would probably do the same). Yes, the settings are turned down to medium and it can run a bit choppy at times (I average around 15 fps, and if that seems low, bear in mind EQ2 demands a lot more than World of Warcraft, I'm sure WoW would run at ~30 fps), but it runs, and I can play it easily. Other games ran perfectly, with crisp-looking graphics. If you want to be able to play some higher-end games on a tablet, this is the one you want. If you just want a purely gaming notebook, though, there are certainly better ones out there. One other plus: the graphics actually switch between low and high power states, depending if the laptop is plugged in. Basically this means for things like Everquest you're going to want to be plugged in, but it allows you to save battery life when on battery (you could keep it in high mode if you wanted, though). I didn't even see this advertised, but I thought it was a neat little additional feature, and I didn't notice any noticeable drop in graphics quality when in low-power mode (although EQ2 dropped to about 5-8 fps).
[Update 3: Everquest is averaging better than 25 fps now, sometimes even in the 40's. I think the initial low numbers were due to a new expansion pack and lots of players. Even better news for the graphics capabilities on this tablet.]
Construction: The body is nice, the whole tablet is light without feeling cheap, and it's easily portable. My old Toshiba is a beast compared to it. I like that the touchpad is larger than other pads I've seen, even if it occasionally acts up (see below). It's amazing how much they cram into such a small space. There are plenty of ports (something I wonder if all the upcoming slates will have) including USB, VGA and HDMI.
Screen: This one I was really worried about. My old Toshiba had a 14.1" screen, and I looked at some similar-sized screens before ordering it, but I was afraid it was going to be too small to be able to use daily. The good news: it's not. Yes, it's definitely a small screen compared to many other notebooks, but it feels bigger than it is, definitely better than any of the 10" netbooks, and colors are sharp and clear, and I can operate any of the programs (like OneNote) or games just fine and without squinting. It's smooth with a glass feel to it, which is nice for using the touchscreen and I love writing on it far more than my Toshiba, but it does tend to reflect a lot.
Sound: the included Altec Lansing speakers are impressive for how small they are. Yes, you won't get much bass out of it, but music and sounds are crisp and clear, not tinny at all.
Battery Life: This seems good, if not great, but no different than any other laptop out there. I'm sure if you just let it sit there and not do anything you can get the advertised 9-plus hours. Regular use seems to be around 4-5 hours, though I haven't really put it to any tests yet, like running a DVD movie from an external drive. I'll see if I can get back on this. Certainly for running in tablet mode and surfing or watching video streams, I have no complaints.
Tablet: Speaking of which, I really like the HP Touchsmart software that came with it. It basically lets you use it as you would any of the upcoming slate tablets, with icons for watching local or streaming videos (such as Hulu and Netflix), viewing photos, surfing the web, etc. I don't know if HP will offer any Apps (which is supposed to be part of the big deal with the ipad and such), but it's great for stuff you already do. A couple complaints here, though. When you flip the screen around and put it in tablet mode, there is no latch like my Toshiba had to keep the screen in place. It's not been a problem yet, but a locking mechanism would have been nice. Similarly, when you want to flip the screen back up to notebook mode, you have to pry the two halves apart. There could have been a slight indentation to get your fingers under the screen to make it easier. Also, there's a button that lets you switch the screen orientation. On my old Toshiba you could set it to automatically switch when in tablet mode, then back when in notebook mode. If that's an option here, I haven't found it yet, although it always switches back when you go to notebook mode, so maybe I just haven't been able to find how to set it (the manual just says to rotate via the button).
Touchpad/touchscreen: My last complaint has to do with the responsiveness of both the touchpad and the touch screen. I can't tell if the problem is hardware or software based, but I though it worth mentioning, although I wouldn't call it a show-stopper by any means. I like that the touchpad is bigger than other pads I've seen, but it doesn't always seem to do what I tell it. Sometimes the cursor hops all over the screen while I'm just dragging my finger, while other times it doesn't seem to respond at all for a second or two. Other times it will zoom in or out seemingly on its own. It is a multi-touch pad, so maybe that's part of it and I just need to learn how to operate it better, but I don't think that's always it. Also, the touchscreen doesn't always seem to respond. For example, while watching a Netflix movie, you could press the pause button but there was a delay before the movie would pause, then when I pressed play, it didn't acknowledge the first press and I had to hit it again. I've tried pressing slightly harder or longer, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I find myself pressing a button twice sometimes in order to make it work. Again, this might just be me getting used to a touchscreen, but I'm not so sure. They're both usable, just a little annoying and frustrating at times, and the touchscreen might be a problem if you wanted it purely as a tablet.
Summation: Any complaints I have, though, I consider minor. 4.5/5 stars. This is a great convertible tablet for those who are looking for one. No other tablets right now could match the specs (esp. with the discrete graphics) for the price. The Lenovo and Dell tablets were typically (...) more for their high-end models to begin with, and you can get HP coupons and instant sales that can save you as much as (...) off their listed price, making it hands down the best deal for a tablet right now.
Update 1: After fiddling with the settings of the touchpad and making it less sensitive, it works much better now. Still occasionally jumps around, but I get that with every touchpad I've ever used, so that's probably just me. Also, I think the touchscreen has a "sleep mode", i.e. if there's no touch after a few seconds, it takes 2-3 touches to respond, but as long as you keep touching, it works fine (I'm guessing this is so errant touches won't click on something you don't want).
Update 2: Had this for two weeks now. Overall performance is great (though you'll want to remove some of HP's pre-installed software) and battery usage is actually quite good. I was able to watch a 2 hour-10 minute movie and only used 50% of the battery (my old Toshiba would barely make it to 2 hours, with the screen darkened). It actually determined I was on battery and ran it in a lower-power mode to conserve. I ran it again in the regular mode and couldn't even really tell any difference (screen was maybe brighter, but wasn't like night and day), although the screen reflection did get a little...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP TouchSmart TM2-1070US 12.1-Inch Riptide Argento Laptop - Up to 9.75 Hours of Battery Life

With unparalleled versatility, the HP TouchSmart tm2 lets you touch, draw, type or move everywhere in between. This compact yet powerful notebook converts to a tablet with a simple twist. Next-generation multi-touch technology puts endless creative possibilities at your fingertips. Slim and stylish, the HP TouchSmart tm2 can make everything you do faster, easier, and way more fun.

Get 21% OFF

Click here for more information about HP TouchSmart TM2-1070US 12.1-Inch Riptide Argento Laptop - Up to 9.75 Hours of Battery Life

Read More...

HP TouchSmart tm2-2150us 12.1-Inch Argento Laptop PC - Up to 6.5 Hours of Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In general, I love it but nothing's perfect. Before this I had the HP T2z which is the predecessor of the TM2 series. I've had it for a couple weeks now and thought I'd share my opinion.
Pros:
- FN keys are first laptop functions then F keys: I love this feature. I very rarely use function keys but I do use the volume / brightness / WLAN keys a lot. This new keyboard layout makes the function keys laptop functions by default. You have to hit the FN key to use F11, for example. But the wireless on/off is a touch away.
- Screen flips both ways: the T2z could only rotate one way. This goes both.
- Long lasting battery: with the wireless off and the screen half bright I've gotten 6+ hours out of the battery.
- Light: nice to have the weight down. Who wants to carry extra pounds?
Cons:
- No home, end, pg dn, pg up keys: The new keyboard has it's downside... I use the home end keys a lot, or used to at least. Since we're talking about the keyboard, I don't like the feeling. It's got that clakety-clak feeling of the old keyboards. You feel like you have to be rough with it for the keys to work. It's not very sensitive either.
- Fingerprint reader on side of screen: this is a horrible design flaw IMHO. Is your screen ever in EXACTLY the same angle? Well think of trying to do a straight line on a tilted screen. Or better yet, think of trying that 4-5 times to get a proper reading.
- Eraser in onenote: I love the new pen with an eraser. However, Onenote doesn't like to recognize it as an eraser. Not HPs fault I guess, but I bought the tablet to use with onenote.
- Touchpad: it's got the new touchpad that had the built in buttons like a mac. Not to keen on it.
- No DVD drive: this could be a pro or a con. Depends on how you see it. I very rarely use my drive, but for that 10% of the time, it is VERY necessary. However, it's weight and battery for something I use only rarely.
So, there you have it. Would I buy another one? Most definitely. I love my touchpad PC.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP TouchSmart tm2-2150us 12.1-Inch Argento Laptop PC - Up to 6.5 Hours of Battery Life

Put your world at your fingertips. Twist, turn, touch and take off the display of the thin, lightweight HP TouchSmart tm2-2150us Notebook PC, a true tablet PC. Access videos, games, music and photos using the 12.1-inch diagonal LED MultiTouch display, plus write notes on the screen using the included pen. Video chat in low-light environments using the integrated HP webcam and manage passwords easily using the integrated fingerprint reader. Powered by an Intel® processor, this HP laptop is great for working in multiple applications at the same time.The HP TouchSmart tm2-2150us Notebook PC stands out from the crowd with a brushed aluminum finish with the stream design in argento, so you can show off your sense of style. Connect to the Web using built-in Wi-Fi, plus transfer photos from memory cards to your notebook PC using the digital media reader. Store thousands of photos on the large hard drive for easy access. To play and burn CDs and DVDs, simply plug an external optical drive (sold separately) into one of the USB ports on your HP laptop. IDEAL FOR

Click here for more information about HP TouchSmart tm2-2150us 12.1-Inch Argento Laptop PC - Up to 6.5 Hours of Battery Life

Read More...