Nettops are tiny desktop PCs with low power processors and low price tags. The general idea is that, like a netbook, these machines use less power than bigger machines and are designed to serve the needs of people who don’t necessarily need a supercomputer in their home office, living room, or wherever else you see fit to put the little computer. But I’ve never been 100% sold on the need to shove Intel Atom processors in the little guys, because let’s face it — you kind of expect at least a little more power from a desktop than a netbook.

That’s exactly what the new MSI WindBOX provides: a little more power than a typical nettop. Instead of netbook parts, this tiny desktop computer is choc full of the parts we’d expect to see in an Intel CULV-powere notebook.

The WindBOX III has an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and Intel GS45 + ICH9M chipset with GMA 4500 graphics. It can support 1080p HD video playback, DirectX10 graphics, and comes with DVI and HDMI outputs. There are also 6 USB ports, 2 powered COM ports, and two internal mini PCIe slots. The nettop has built-in 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth.The computer supports up to 4GB of RAM.

There’s also a VESA mount making it easy to attach the computer to the back of a monitor or TV.

The MSI WindBOX III isn’t the first nettop to pack an Intel CULV processor instead of an Atom-based chipset. ViewSonic also offers a model. But the more the merrier.

Support Liliputing

Liliputing's primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the "Shop" button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we'll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you're using an ad blocker* and hate online shopping.

Contribute to our Patreon campaign

or...

Contribute via PayPal

* If you are using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin and seeing a pop-up message at the bottom of the screen, we have a guide that may help you disable it.

Subscribe to Liliputing via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,545 other subscribers

4 replies on “MSI introduces WindBOX III nettops with Core 2 Duo chips”

  1. Zotac also has a CULV nettop, it has second gen ION I believe as well. This is what I’ve wanted out of a nettop for a long long time, so I’m glad to see it start happening… Although it would be nicer, honestly, if they’d also start dropping cheap small form factor boxes with a i3 or i5 arrandale chip on them.

  2. Brad, are you privy to more from MSI than just press releases? Unless I’m off on this, it seems like they’ve backtracked from Intel Core I-Series processors. Case in point, the MSI X360 was announced earlier this year, but recently any mention of it was gone from MSI’s own website. In a few recent press releases, I’ve seen the Core 2 Duo based MSI X350 seemingly re-launched as if it was the new product. Any ideas on why MSI seems to sticking with Core 2 Duo processors in the age of Core I-Series processors taking over?

      1. Hmm…. I just found out that the MSI X360 is not coming to America because “Americans don’t buy ultraportables”. As I look at the title and focus of this site, I can’t help but wonder what you think about what MSI thinks about Americans and ultraportables.

Comments are closed.