One of the most highly anticipated devices these days is the MSI Wi-Fi Netowrk Device (WIND).  It is the latest in the new generation of ultra-mobile portable devices.  I have to say admit that I have been watching the WIND site over at MSI carefully, highly anticipating this week’s release.

You can imagine my disappointment, however, when I logged onto the MSI store site on June 16th, the anticipated release date, to find that while they were perfectly happy to sell you a WIND, MSI would not be shipping them until June 27. 

Even more disappointing than the delay, which we have come to expect with new products, is the battery.  After advertising for months that the WIND would feature a 6-cell battery allowing up to 5.5 hours of use.  Instead, the first WINDs blowing out of the MSI store will feature only a 3-cell battery, which are rated for three hours of use.  According to SlashGear:

MSI’s PR people have been in touch to explain that the battery change is a result of a global shortage, caused by the LG Chem factory fire back in March.  Rather than wait for 6-cell packs, MSI chose to drop the Wind price by $20 and include the 3-cell pack instead.  The 6-cell Wind, at $499.99, is expected to be available in a month.

Despite these setbacks, I am still heavily anticipating the WIND, however, I will be waiting until later in the summer to look any closer.  Hopefully by then they will be shipping with the 6-cell battery.  If you absolutely, positively, must have one now, though, check out the new Pocketables forum.  One lucky forum member will win an MSI WIND.  Three cell battery and all.

[Parts of this post were via SlashGear and Pocketables]

[Image via MSI computers]

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1. MSI Wind Provides All the Power You Need for the Day – 13 HOURS!
2. Overclock the MSI Wind! BIOS 1.09 update
3. MSI: Blowing Its Wind Through My House
4. Will Lenovo Blow Past The Wind?
5. Unboxing the MSI Wind