Nvidia has introduced the next-generation Ion graphics processor, which it claims will offer 10 times the graphics performance of standard netbooks and enable up to 10 hours of battery life thanks to Nvidia's Optimus technology, according to the company.
The new Ion is a discrete GPU with dedicated memory that attaches to an Intel Atom Pine Trail CPU via PCI Express.
The new Ion GPU outperforms basic netbook graphics by delivering rich HD media in games, movies, and Internet-based video. Unlike netbooks with Intel integrated graphics, Ion netbooks have the power to play HD video smoothly from video websites and support popular PC games, according to Nvidia.
The new Ion netbooks also feature Nvidia's Optimus technology, which automatically selects the best graphics processor for running any given application – seamlessly routing the workload to either an Nvidia discrete GPU or Intel integrated graphics.
More than 30 products featuring the new Ion GPU are expected to launch by summer 2010 including netbooks, small form factor desktops, barebone systems, motherboards, and discrete add-in cards. The Acer's Aspire One 532G (10-inch) and Asustek Computer's 1201PN (12-inch) are expected to be the first new Ion netbooks to be introduced. New all-in-one PCs powered by next-generation Ion will include Asustek's EeeTop 2010PNT and Lenovo's C200. Channel partners including AOpen, ASRock, Asustek, Foxconn, Giada, J&W, Jetway, Pegatron Technology, POV, Shuttle, and Zotac also plan to introduce new Ion-based products soon, Nvidia said.
New Ion-based Asustek 1201PN netbook
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