Digital Trends

Though not quite a netbook the 12.1-inch VR220 features size, weight and a price tag only slightly above that of a netbook.

Riding on the momentum of its popular Wind netbook, MSI on Wednesday revealed the VR220 YA Edition, a more capable compact. The 12.1-inch notebook runs an Intel Dual-Core processor rather than the more modest Atom chips used in netbooks, and also includes an array of other upgrades, with a price barely out of netbook territory.

Besides the 12.1-inch screen (which boasts 1280 x 800 resolution), the VR220 gets a full 250GB standard hard drive, a Super-Multi optical drive, and hosts up to 4GB of memory. Extras include a 3-in-1 card reader, 1.3-megapixel webcam, and MSI’s own ECO Engine Power Management System, which gives users five different power-saving modes, from gaming to presentation, at the press of a button.

The notebook’s magnesium alloy case will come in four colors: Denim Blue, Coral Pink, Wasabi Green, and for the less adventurous, Empire Black. MSI will debut the 4-pound notebook for $700, though a formal launch date hasn’t yet been scratched in on the calendar.