The 'hybrid' netbook, U115, announced by MSI on Tuesday, can use both a solid-state disc drive (SSD) for running Windows, as well as a spinning hard drive for storing files. Windows XP Home will be used to power the system.

According to the manufacturer, the real innovation in terms of the netbook is its various combinations of 8GB or 16GB for the SSD, which work in conjunction with 120GB or
160GB rotating hard drive.

The new netbook with hybrid storage has a 10-inch LCD. Designed around 1.6-GHz Z530 Intel Atom processor, it boasts of 'Menlow' chipset platform. Among its other specs include are - Bluetooth EDR; a 1.3-Mpixel or 2.0-Mpixel Webcam; 4-in-1 card reader; 802.11b/g/n wireless; and the standard 1 Gbyte of RAM.

Within the U115, system files would be stored on the SSD, and data would be stored on the magnetic hard drive. Essentially, the hybrid technology is an expanded version of the Intel Robson or Microsoft ReadyBoost technology, in which flash drive largely increases the system performance through local caching.

For people desiring the convenience of a netbook with more battery life than the current 6-cell batch, placing the netbook on MSI's new "eco on mode" would provide "super long" battery life. The mode temporarily disconnects the HDD to save power, and instead runs only with the more efficient SSD.