NetbookTech

Didn’t think you’d ever see a dual-core Atom processor in a netbook?

Guess again.

ASUS is readying the new Eee PC 1201 netbook featuring the dual-core Intel Atom N330 processor which is clocked at 1.66GHz. As if that alone wasn’t impressive enough, the 1201 also features the NVIDIA ION graphics platform which means high def enthusiasts might finally have a netbook they can be proud of.

Other notable features of the 1201 include:

• 12 inch widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• 2GB of RAM
• Full-sized keyboard
• HDMI port
• 250GB hard drive
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• Media Card Reader
• Ethernet port
• Built-in webcam
• Available in black and silver colors
• Weighs approximately 3.1 pounds

According to PC Magazine, the ASUS Eee PC 1201 comes with a removable 6 cell battery which should provide around 5 hours of battery life. Price for this system? A cool $499. No word on when the 1201 will hit the market.

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With Windows 7 launched, Lenovo is finally offering the ION-based IdeaPad S12 netbook for sale with prices starting at $599. The $599 model has the following specs

• Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
• NVIDIA ION with 256MB RAM
• 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 12.1 inch WXGA TFT 1280 x 800 resolution display
• Touchpad
• 250GB Hard Drive
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery
• Broadcom 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

The $699 model ups the memory to 3GB of RAM and the storage capacity to 320GB.  Both ION based S12 models are available in black only.

Remember that the S12 is also available in other configurations. The low end model for $429 consists of the VIA Nano ULV 2250 processor clocked at 1.3GHz coupled with the VIA Chrome 9 HC3 graphics while the mid-range model for $449 consists of an Intel Atom processor coupled with the Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics.

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It’s felt like forever since we first heard about the NVIDIA ION platform and it’s definitely been several months since we heard of potential netbooks from Samsung and Lenovo that will feature the new chipset platform for the Atom processor. Well.. it looks like the wait might finally soon be over. Liliputing reports that the long-awaited Samsung N510 netbook (11.6 inch display) will soon be available next month. The N510 will supposedly feature an HDMI output and have the ability to handle Blu-ray playback. This assumes, one would expect, that one would have an external Blu-ray drive handy. As for that Lenovo S12 .. we’re all still waiting.

But one has to wonder – why is it taking so long to get an ION powered netbook out and about anyhow? The platform late last year – we saw working demos of it in January at CES, and here we are in August, and still no showing of the chipset. Are their issues we’re not aware of? Is power an issue? Are netbook manufacturers trying to figure out how to properly price this thing? What the hey??

All I know is.. the longer I wait, the more likely I’ll go to a CULV system down the road.

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Looks like Lenovo’s not the only vendor planning to launch an ION powered netbook. Netbook Choice is reporting that Samsung is planning to launch a new netbook called the Samsung N510 (model NP-N510-KA02UK) pairing the Intel Atom N280 processor with the NVIDIA ION platform (which is basically the NVIDIA 9400M GPU). Other reported specs include:

• 11.6 inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Intel Atom N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• 160GB SATA HDD
• 1GB RAM
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Ethernet
• Webcam
• 3 in 1 media card reader
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery

No word on the exact launch date of the N510 but expect it sometime this summer. These ION powered netbooks certainly make the 11.6 inch/12 inch market interesting – especially if they deliver on the promise of 1080p HD video playback!

[Check it out via CNET’s News.com]

[Also read LaptopMag]

If you’re like me, then you’ve been waiting for an NVIDIA Ion powered netbook for some time. My friends – that time has finally (well almost)arrived. Starting in June, Lenovo will offer the new IdeaPad S12 – a 12 inch netbook powered by both an Intel Atom processor and the NVIDIA Ion platform which basically brings the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M GPU to the netbook platform.

Yes, we finally have a netbook capable of full HD playback as well as some basic 3D gaming. Netbooks with the NVIDIA Ion platform are basically re-energized with extra graphics oomph. Pretty exciting stuff folks!!!  Stay tuned for more info.

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Are the days of crappy netbook graphics performance coming to an end? The answer to that might finally be YES. NVIDIA announced the new Ion platform which couples the NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GPU with an Intel Atom processor resulting in a system that is actually capable of offering a decent “visual experience.”

There are several use case scenarios for such a system – and of course the one that concerns all of us the most is the netbook scenario. While NVIDIA has yet to demo a netbook utilizing the entire Ion platform, they did say on their website that an Ion based system would:

• Deliver 10x faster graphics and video transcoding
• Full HD video decode and display
• 1/2 the size yet the same battery life
• Be ready for Windows Vista Premium AND Windows 7

Of course the Ion platform is  ideal for other target markets such as Notebooks, Nettops, and all-in-one systems – yet the real issue here is the netbook market which  clearly is booming during a time when nothing else seems to be booming.

If the NVIDIA GeForce 9400 can make its way into future generation netbooks without an increase in cost to the consumer, then this is a clear winner to all of us. As Darren Gladstone of PC World notes, “why stick to low expectations?” when it comes to netbooks. Shouldn’t we be demanding higher performance from systems that cost on average $400 dollars? I couldn’t agree more and let’s hope NVIDIA fulfills that promise.

Make sure to read the PC World article for even more info on Ion and the GeForce 9400 GPU.

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