MSI Slim X420 Sports ATI Graphics, 9-Hour Battery Life

By Geoff Duncan Published January 19, 2010

Taiwanese computer maker MSI has added another model to its X-Slim series of lightweight notebooks, the X430. The X420 sports a 14-inch display, a CULV Intel Core 2 Duo processor, ATI graphics, 1 GB of RAM, and claims to offer up to nine hours of battery life—all of which should appeal to folks looking for something a little more powerful (and larger-screened) than a netbook without requiring a separate handcart to carry around.

MSI X-Slim X420 notebook — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The MSI X-Slim X420 is built around an Intel Core 23 Duo SU7300 or SU4100 processor, and offers an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5430 graphics controller with 1 GB Of video memory—although MSI is describing that as an “external graphics card), so it may be that the ATI controller is only for pushing an external display, rather than the X420’s integrated display. That screen measures 14 inches with a native 1,366 by 768 resolution, but the system also offers HDMI output. The X420 can handle hard drives from 250 to 500 GB in capacity, offers 1 GB of RAM, has an SD/MMC media card reader, has a 1.3 megapixel webcam, and offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking. The X420 also packs MSI’s EasyFace facial recognition software for authentication and login—just be sure to take off the Groucho glasses before setting it up. And the whole unit weighs just over 4 pounds, with a 4-cell battery.

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The MSi X-Slim X420 should be available through retailers and online resellers with prices starting at about $799.

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

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