Microsoft recently lifted its hard drive capacity restrictions for netbooks using the widely acclaimed Windows XP OS. With this, netbooks can now enjoy a 160GB storage capacity, which is double the original allotted capacity.

Because of this development, Micro-Star International (MSI) released a new Wind Notebook U100a. This time it boasts a 160GB storage space. Asustek Computer on the other hand (the so-called father of all netbooks) is set to unveil its 160GB Eee PC 1000H on September 3. MSI’s netbook is tagged at $562 while Asus’ Eee PC 1000H is tagged around $570.

On related news, reliable sources indicated that Intel continues to control how netbooks are deployed despite the lifting of the hard drive capacity restriction. Experts agree that since Intel still controls more than 85% of the laptop market, the company is unlikely to lift panel size restriction. So if there are any netbook enthusiasts eying for a slightly larger or at least wider computers, then they will just have to wait until Intel changes its mind.

Intel is currently firm in drawing the borderline between Centrino powered laptop and Atom-based notebooks. Despite the remarkable embrace of the computer market to the netbooks, Intel’s actions, according to analysts indicate that they will continue to support netbook’s original meaning of low-cost performance devices.

Source: DigiTimes