MSI X-Slim X340

The basics

The MSI X-Slim X340 is one of the first ultra slim full size laptops set to take the world like swine flu. It's got a 13 inch screen, 2GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a HDMI port, 2 USB ports, an Intel CULV 1.4GHz processor and a 3.5hr battery life. All that inside a shell well under an inch thick at its chunkiest point.

The good

Need a laptop you can slip in your bag, but don't fancy having to squint at a netbook that looks like it's been made by Fisher-Price? The MSI X-Slim X340 will do you more than nicely: it's a full size machine you can stuff in an envelope, just like a MacBook Air, and it's every bit as stylish as Apple's flyweight. It'll double up for home use too, as the HDMI port can be latched on to a HD monitor or TV. When you consider that all comes in for £500 less than the Air, you've got a bargain worthy of David Dickinson.

The bad

Look MSI, just because it's thin doesn't mean the keyboard has to be made of sponge. Typing on the MSI X-Slim is a serious chore, and that's purely down to the bobbling, squashy keys - a far cry from the MacBook Air's lovely chiclet buttons. The CULV processor isn't up to much either: no problem for most programs you'll be running on an ultra portable laptop, but why stick Windows Vista on there? That's like having Rick Waller sit on a Shetland pony. If you buy, switch to Windows 7 immediately.

The bottom line

It's nice to see MSI bringing a cheap rival to the MacBook Air to the market, and refreshing to find that Apple isn't always leading the way when it comes to style. But a few unnecessary build problems will niggle - until you see the pricetag. Good value for working on the move, but madness as a primary machine.