MSI X340

Editor's Note (8/17/09): We initially tested a pre-production MVT (Mass Verification Test) sample of the MSI X340. Since then, we received a full production model, which had an improved keyboard and an 8-cell battery. Additionally, MSI reduced the price to $799 from $899. Because of these factors, we have increased its rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.

Ever since Apple released its MacBook Air, no 13-inch notebook has come as close to being as slim while also being affordable for the average consumer. MSI’s X340 changes that. Indeed, this $799 13.4-inch laptop looks strikingly similar to Apple’s $1,799 work of art—and can also fit in a manila envelope—but the X340 eschews the Air’s more powerful Core 2 Duo processor and Nvidia graphics for Intel’s new Ultra Low Voltage CPU and integrated graphics. The upshot is that MSI’s machine provides some of the best endurance we've seen in an ultraportable with good-enough performance for basic computing at a very good price.

Ultra Slim Design

When viewed from the side, the X340 is impressively slim. At 13 x 8.8 inches, the X340 takes up the same desk space as the MacBook Air, but the X340 is slightly thicker, measuring 0.24 inches at its thinnest point, and 0.78 inches at its thickest. (The MacBook Air, by contrast, is 0.16 to 0.76 inches.) At 2.9 pounds (and 3.6 pounds with the charger), the X340 is 1.6 ounces lighter than the Air, and its rounded corners give it a stylish aesthetic. 

The X340’s overall look is impressive for the price. The system comes in black or silver, and the outer glossy plastic shell is adorned with an MSI logo that lights up when the notebook is in use, giving it an elegant look. However, the MSI X340 doesn’t feel as solidly built as the aluminum MacBook Air or other ultraportables such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X200; the unit has a slightly hollow feel to it. Also, the lid on our X340 picked up fingerprint smudges quickly.

 
While only slightly thicker, the X340 uses its extra girth to store plenty of port. The left side houses VGA, Ethernet, HDMI, and a 2-in-1 card reader. Two USB ports and headphone and mic jacks line the right side of the machine. On a machine this small, it’s nice to see this much connectivity.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the MSI X340 is plenty large for touch typists, but the keys feel cheaper than the rest of the system. While the keyboard had a little flex, the keys didn't feel too soft under our fingers. The right Shift key is a bit small, but otherwise the layout is full size. The keyboards on the Lenovo ThinkPad X200, MacBook Air, and Samsung NC20 are more comfortable.

The 3.4 x 2.1-inch touchpad is plenty large and allowed us to navigate the desktop smoothly. We do wish that MSI used two dedicated mouse buttons instead of the single touchpad button; while it felt a bit mushy, it was comfortable for making selections. MSI includes a full-size corded mouse with a retractable USB cable, which was a nice alternative.

Display and Audio

The X340’s glossy 13.4-inch LED-backlit screen features a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, and it looked crisp and bright. When watching an episode of 30 Rock on Hulu.com, the picture was richly saturated, and we enjoyed generous viewing angles from the sides. We didn’t find the glossy screen distracting when surfing the Web or writing in Microsoft Word. With brightness all the way up, the screen was viewable outdoors on a partly cloudy day.

Two speakers are located underneath the front lip of the X340. When we cranked the audio when streaming “O Valencia” by The Decemberists on Blip.fm, audio was loud but somewhat tinny. Tina Fey’s voice came through loud and clear in an episode of 30 Rock.

The 1.3-megapixel webcam above the display provided clear images in a video call. The other caller could make out our new hair cut and hear our voice clearly with the built-in microphone located to the left of the cam.