MSI Intros Wind Top AE2280 All-in-One PC with Advanced Audio

by Jacqueline Emigh

For audiophiles and other multimedia entertainment buffs, MSI has unveiled the Wind Top AE2280 all-in-one PC, a computer touted as the first desktop system to include THX's TruStudio Pro high-end audio technology.

Geared to producing, organizing, and playing back high definition (HD) and 3D media, the new sub-$1,000 all-in-one is also outfitted with a DVD burner, a 1.3 megapixel Webcam, and a 21.5-inch full high definition (HD) widescreen multitouch display (16:9 aspect ratio).

The AE2280 also offers software options that include YouPaint, for touch-enabled paint; YouMemo, for basic photo/video editing and uploading your productions to Facebook or YouTube; and YouMemo, for creating multimedia-enhanced personal memos.

Users can choose from among multiple options for Intel Core i3/i5 processor with Turbo Boost and ATI Radeon HD graphic processor units (GPUs).

Intel's Turbo Boost is designed to automatically adjust processor speed up or down, depending on workload factors such as temperature of the processor, estimated power consumption, and number of active cores.

As for the PC's onboard audio, THX TruStudio, a collaborative effort between THX and Creative Labs, is aimed at giving movies and games running on PCs the same kind of "immersive sound" already possible with some other home entertainment devices, according to information on THX's Web site.

Elements of the THX TruStudio suite includes Surround, for virtual sound channels; Crystalizer, for enhancing the natural dynamic range of compressed music; Speaker, for improving low frequency elements and giving you extra bass without a subwoofer; Smart Volume, for automatically adjusting for sudden changes in audio volume; and Dialog Plus, for increasing the intelligibility of dialogue.

MSI's new Wind Top AE2280 Wind Top all-in-one PC also comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium. Other specs include a 640GB hard drive; 6-in-1 card reader; 802.11b/g/n WiFi; six USB 2.0 ports; and one port each for VGA, HDMI home networking, and Gigabit LAN Internet connectivity.

In addition to all-in-one PCs, MSI produces desktop PCs in traditional form factors, servers, notebooks, and computer componentry such as motherboards and graphics cards.

MSI's new Wind Top AE2280 is available immediately at a sub-$1,000 starting price of $949.99.