Taiwanese computer maker MSI has recently addressed some shortcomings in its 13.4-inch X-Slim X340 notebook PC, which is powered by Intel's CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) processors. Apart from a price drop to $799 from $899, the notebook also gets an 8-cell battery instead of the previous 4-cell battery, which more than doubles its operating life, now rated at nearly 9 hours. The battery does add half a pound of weight to the package, which now climbs up to 3.4lbs.

MSI will also offer this 8-cell battery to owners of the original X340 for $99.

MSI has also stiffened up the keyboard of the notebook, but other specs remain the same. This includes a choice of CULV processors, including a 1.2GHz Celeron M or a 1.4GHz Core 2 Solo. There is also 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive and an HDMI output in addition to VGA. [via Laptop]