Nvidia expands ION brand to non-Atom CPUs
June 10, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Nvidia realises that is onto a good thing with ION. Not only is it a cool name, it has also created some good brand awareness out of what is effectively a 9400M GPU tagged onto an Atom processor. As a result, it is allowing companies to use the ION brand, even if it is not paired with an Intel Atom CPU.
Nvidia confirmed that “MCP79, ION and Geforce 9400M are the same thing” to Fudzilla. It is therefore up to its customers whether it wants to mention the 9400M CPU or just the ION name. It is hoping that this may help to sell more products on platforms based on Intel Core 2 and CULV processors.
Nvidia ION to get 40nm refresh by year’s end
June 6, 2009 at 5:21 pm
The Nvidia ION platform is currently based on the 55nm manufacturing process. However, by the end of the year, Nvidia looks to move the GPU part to 40nm according to Fudzilla. This will, of course, put it in the same timeline as Intel’s next-gen Atom CPU, Pineview.
As things stand we don’t know what speeds the new Pineview processor will run at, although several rumours point to a dual-core chip which could make a big difference in netbook performance. The ION 2 is expected to release in the fourth quarter of this year, in –line with the rumoured dual core launch of Pineview and ahead of the single core Pineview launch in Q1 2010.
The benefits of ION 2 should be faster performance and a greater number of shaders with the same (or lower) power efficiency. Whilst Intel is moving from a three-chip to two-chip platform with Pine Trail, it is widely expected to support the ION/ION2 platform for future netbooks.
Nvidia Tegra platform gets video demonstration
June 4, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Nvidia has really come out in force at the Computex show in Taiwan. It has shown off ION on 21 new devices as well as educating the world about its Tegra platform. Tegra marries an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with Nvidia 9400M graphics).
Nvidia claims Tegra to be one of the most powerful SOCs (system on chips) – able to handle 1080p video, HD Flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and a huge battery life. The video below (courtesy of NetbookNews) shows the trailer for the new Star Trek film running at a bitrate of 12-14Mbits. It also shows that the chip can run older games (like Quake) at 46fps. All of this at a maximum power consumption rate of just 1W. Read more
OCZ Neutrino netbook gets ION upgrade
June 3, 2009 at 11:52 pm
OCZ launched the 10-inch DIY Neutrino netbook to much acclaim. OCZ allows you to source your own RAM, hard-disk drive and operating system from wherever you can find the best deal and ‘build-it-yourself”. It seems that OCZ is now looking to jump on the Nvidia ION bandwagon, as it has decided to upgrade the netbook with the ION platform.
However, the Neutrino ION system won’t be pairing the N270 CPU (as found in the original system) with Nvidia 9400M graphics. Instead, it will be using a 1.6GHz Atom 230 single-core processor. Other specs remain the same and include 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. It also comes with a 4-cell 2200mAh battery, 1.3MP webcam and WiFi (b/g only). You’ll find the usual array of ports that include two USB ports, Ethernet and VGA. No release date or pricing has been confirmed thus far.
Via PC Perspective.
Video: Mobinnova élan, Tegra-powered smartbook running Windows CE
June 2, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Mobinnova has unveiled the élan smartbook (or netbook if you prefer) which is an 8.9-inch device that is powered by Nvidia’s Tegra platform. As mentioned in the previous Tegra post, there are numerous benefits to the platform including an ‘always connected’ environment, HD video, flash player support and superb battery life.
The Mobinnova élan doesn’t disappoint here, offering 5-10 hours of continuous 720p HD video playback in an ultramobile package that weighs just 836g (1.84lbs) and is just 0.8-inches thick [Dimensions: 9.1 inches (232mm) x 7.3 inches (186 mm) x .8 inches (20.5 mm)]. Read more
Nvidia intros 12 new Tegra devices – 1080p, Flash, & huge battery life
June 2, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Nvidia is out in full force at the Computex show in Taiwan. We have already seen it outing 21 devices based on the ION-platform. However, it has also revealed 12 new devices (mostly Mobile Internet Devices) based on the Tegra platform. The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics).
Nvidia claims that the Tegra processor is the “world’s smallest and lowest power computer-on-a-chip”. The chip will be able to handle 1080p video and will come with a massive battery life. Nvidia claim that it can handle 10 hours of 1080p video playback on a single charge – that is a frankly astonishing claim!
It will also come with Flash GPU-acceleration, which means that the likes of YouTube and Hulu will be no problem. The chip will include 3G and Wi-Fi support and will effectively be ‘always-on’ to the internet. These chips will be found in both tablet and netbook type devices and are expected to launch by the end of 2009 with prices around the $200 mark with carrier subsidies. The full press release is attached after the break. Read more
Adobe working with Nvidia/Broadcom to bring hardware-acceleration to Flash
June 2, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Adobe is working hard behind the scenes with both Nvidia and Broadcom to ensure that Adobe Flash gets GPU acceleration. They will look to upgrade Adobe’s plugin resulting in smooth playback of HD flash video as well as lower CPU usage.
Without Flash acceleration, the Intel Atom processors inside netbooks are often incapable of playing large Flash videos from video sites. However, when GPU acceleration is enabled, viewing the likes of YouTube HD and Hulu will become more bearable on netbooks. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like this will be hitting any time soon, with Broadcom talking about H1 2010 for Flash Player support. Read more
HP and Dell to launch ION netbooks in Q3 2009
June 2, 2009 at 4:20 pm
It’s a bit disappointing that we haven’t seen more big name manufacturers announcing ION netbooks at the Computex show, the only new ones we’ve seen are from the likes of Telecast and Weibu. However, both Hewlett-Packard and Dell are expected to launch netbooks using the ION-platform in the third quarter of this year according to Digitimes.
The main big profile ION netbook that has been announced so far is the Lenovo Ideapad S12. Other big names such as Asustek and MSI are also looking to launch ION products in the second half of this year.
However, Intel is looking to spoil the Nvidia party. According to the report, Intel is “reducing its offer of price incentives to PC vendors who are considering Ion-based products”. It is also closely monitoring vendors’ Atom inventories, to prevent them from dumping chipsets bought at a discount and using the CPUs with Nvidia’s ION. Is Intel not learning anything from its EU anti-competitive ruling and subsequent €1.06 billion fine?
New Nvidia ION products shown off at Computex
June 2, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Nvidia has announced 21 new ION-based products at the Computex Taipei show, including netbooks, nettops, desktop PCs and motherboards. From what we can tell, there seem to be very few netbooks being shown off incorporating the ION platform.
Ion is capable of not only 1080p video but 7.1 surround sound audio, DirectX 10 graphics and video acceleration and transcoding with NVIDIA’s own CUDA technology.
Apart from the previously announced Lenovo Ideapad S12, there is the Telecast TL-1000N and Weibu N10A. The latter two are ODM names that will likely be branded by some more familiar names, if they decide to sell these. However, Fudzilla found the build quality of these netbooks to be of “budget quality” and said they would be surprised if they turned up outside of Asia. You can check out a short video of these ION-powered netbooks after the break. Read more
Asus considering Nvidia ION for netbooks
June 1, 2009 at 10:09 am
Asustek has recently started to test netbooks and nettops using Nvidia’s ION platform according to Digitimes. Whilst there is no schedule for netbooks right now, it does plan to launch an ION based Eee Boc B1006 during the third quarter of this year.
With Computex just about to start, we are expecting a whole host of announcements from other manufacturers, who are getting ready to announce ION-powered netbooks during the show. We’ll keep you updated throughout this week on further developments.
Computex: Nvidia Tegra netbooks to debut with Windows CE
June 1, 2009 at 12:04 am
Nvidia will be showing off the first netbooks that run on the Tegra platform at the Computex show, which kicks off on Tuesday in Taiwan. The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics).
The lack of an x86 processor, means that Windows XP/Windows 7 is not an option. Instead, these netbooks will be running the Windows CE operating system. Nvidia says that at some point down the road, it hopes to use Google Android instead. Read more
ION-based Lenovo Ideapad S12 NOT hitting Europe
May 25, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Okay, I know this is the fourth post today regarding the Lenovo Ideapad S12, but I see this launch as quite important given that it will be the first netbook to come with the ION-platform. However, I have some very disappointing news for us Europeans. The ION-based Ideapad S12 SKU will NOT be coming to Europe.
This has been confirmed to us by Adrian Horne, who deals with Lenovo’s media relations across the EMEA region. I find this news quite perplexing. A lot of the buzz today has surrounded the emergence of ION inside a netbook and the (hopefully) genuine improvement we’ll see over the typical Intel Atom platform. I’m sure there are a number of people that are genuinely excited by this release and will associate the S12 as the ‘ION netbook’. When it does launch here it may cause a lot of confusion with people expecting ION under the hood. Read more
Video: Lenovo Ideapad S12 hands-on roundup
May 25, 2009 at 3:51 pm
A few publications have already managed to preview the Ideapad S12 netbook that was announced today. We have attached some hands-on videos of the S12 below from Laptop Mag and GottaBeMobile (GBM). Some of the new things we learnt while watching the videos is that it will come with a glossy display which may put off some. Given the size of the chassis, it will come with some physical buttons that you don’t normally see on netbooks. This includes a wireless on/off switch, as well as a quick-start button for Splashtop (instant-on OS) and a one-touch button for backups.
The 100 percent keyboard was found to be very comfortable and the touchpad will come with multi-touch gestures. Upgradeability will also be no problem as there are separate access panels for both the HDD and RAM. We have also included a couple of extra videos from GBM which shows the ION versus Atom when it comes to HD video content and a comparison as to how Call of Duty IV fares too. Check out the videos after the break. Read more
Lenovo Ideapad S12 gets official – full specs & price revealed
May 25, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Following our earlier report, Lenovo has made the Ideapad S12 official. Our earlier article talked about netbook manufacturers moving to larger screens. Whilst it can be debateable whether a 12-inch device is a netbook or notebook, Lenovo picks no bones as to where it sees this device sitting. The press release refers to the S12 as the “company’s first 12-inch netbook”.
As we speculated this morning, the S12 will be available in three different chipset configurations. You will be able to buy it with the Atom (N270 + 945GSE) platform, ION platform or VIA Nano processor. The S12 will come with a 12.1-inch (1280 x 800) LED backlit display, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. Other features include wireless draft-N, Bluetooth, three USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader. The Atom and VIA versions will come with an Expresscard slot whilst the ION version will come with a HDMI video out. Read more
Lenovo Ideapad S12 is first ION-based netbook
May 25, 2009 at 9:33 am
A number of ION-based netbooks are expected to make an appearance at Computex Taipei on June 2nd, however it looks like Lenovo is pre-empting those announcements. According to PC Perspective, Lenovo will launch a new 12-inch netbook, called the Ideapad S12 that will be the first netbook to come with Nvidia’s ION platform. The Ideapad S12 will be powered by the ION platform, which comprises a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU and 9400M GPU.
Given the size, you won’t be surprised to see it supporting a full sized keyboard. The Ideapad S12 will come with three USB ports, VGA, a pair of audio jacks, Ethernet port, Kensington lock, card reader, webcam as well as an HDMI out. Read more
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