DailyTech - ASUS to Add NVIDIA Ion Graphics to Some Netbooks and Nettops

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Gadgets ASUS to Add NVIDIA Ion Graphics to Some Netbooks and Nettops
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - November 19, 2009 9:36 AM

29 comment(s) - last by ajfink.. on Nov 21 at 1:56 AM

Ion graphics upgrade for some Eee computers promises better performance

The first of the netbooks to hit the market were underpowered when it came to decoding most video, especially if that video was in HD resolution. This left users frustrated with choppy video playback or the outright inability to play some videos.

NVIDIA stepped in and launched its Ion platform that allows the lowly netbook to offload the decoding of HD video from the processor to the GPU for smooth playback and better overall system performance. NVIDIA set some lofty goals for its Ion chipset and aimed to oust Intel integrated graphics from notebooks and netbooks with the new offering. It has taken a while, but netbooks and other machines using Ion are finally hitting the market in force.

ASUS has announced that it will be using NVIDIA Ion graphics in many of its most popular netbooks moving forward. The computers that will get the Ion enhancement include the Eee 1201N, the EeeTop ET2002T 20-inch touchscreen PC, the EeeBox EB1012 nettop, the EeeBox EB1501 nettop, and the AT3N7A-I mini-ITX mainboard.

ASUS CEO Jerry Shen said, "Our new ION-powered Eee PCs will redefine netbook and nettop performance. They deliver an outstanding HD experience that isn’t possible with today’s basic integrated graphics."

Ion graphics support Windows XP, Vista, and 7 and resolutions up to 1080p. Ion also supports the new streaming features of Flash Player 10.1 along with connectivity to an external monitor. Users looking to accelerate other apps will be able to with CUDA capability for Badaboom and other apps.

Analyst Jon Peddie said, "ASUS is a leader in small form factor PCs, and this step shows that they are aware of the importance of great graphics, even for netbooks and nettops. These PCs will run circles around most Atom-based systems, so they are an excellent solution."

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Specs

By Etern205 on 11/19/2009 9:54:35 AM , Rating: 2

Some leak specs for the Asus Eee PC 1201N
<specs>Asus Eee PC 1201N

* Display: 12.1 inch, 1366 x 768 pixels
* CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N330 dual core
* Graphics & chipset: NVIDIA ION (GeForce 9400M)
* OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
* Memory: 3GB DDR2
* Storage: 320GB HDD + 500GB web-based storage
* Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n WiFI, Bluetooth, Ethernet
* I/O: HDMI, VGA, 3 USB 2.0 ports, SD card slot, mic, headphones
* Webcam: 0.3MP
* Touchpad: Supports multitouch gestures
* Battery: 6 cells, 8 hours
* Colors: Black, blue, or red
* Dimensions: 11.7? x 8.2? x 1.3?
* Weight: 3.1 pounds</specs>

Everything is good, expect for the...

Ram: They should have use DDR3.
Webcam: 0.3MP? at least give a 1.3MP, heck some cellphones have better cams that this.

Out of all of this, what is the price for it?
If it's like around $600 and above wouldn't it be better off to grab a regular notebook instead.

RE: Specs

By dagamer34 on 11/19/2009 10:01:06 AM , Rating: 2

Unlikely you'll find a notebook with similar GPU performance and battery life without spending $800-1000.

I expect a machine like this to be selling for around $549. Important thing to remember is that while you can get a more powerful computer for cheaper, it's usually a 15-17 monster that you'd probably hate carrying around if you didn't have to.

You pay a premium for a netbook being small. Never forget that.

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RE: Specs

By Wadzii22 on 11/19/2009 11:07:27 AM , Rating: 1

I got my dell inspiron 15 with a 1600x900 screen, 4gb of ram, 9 cell batter (good for almost 8 hrs) and for all intensive purposes has at least graphis equal to the ion, the 4500hd, for under $500. It fits right in my backpack and isnt really all that heavy. I'm just saying, you can get a very well spec'd laptop for cheap these days if you shop around enough.

Id pay about the same for the 1201 though, I like the 12inch form factor.

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RE: Specs

By SilthDraeth on 11/19/2009 12:45:15 PM , Rating: 5

Do you mean "intents and purposes" or "intensive purposes" ?

Just curious.

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RE: Specs

By Taft12 on 11/19/2009 12:48:12 PM , Rating: 5

quote:
for all intensive purposes has at least graphis equal to the ion, the 4500hd

Back to benchmark school for you, claiming Intel integrated graphics are anywhere near NVidia is an arrestable offence.

Your epic english expression fail is delightfully ironic though - 4500hd is not at all good for "intensive purposes" XD

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RE: Specs

By Calin on 11/19/2009 4:53:47 PM , Rating: 2

Look at Flash 10.1 GPU accelerated performance - it's still in beta, though, but only works on NVIDIA. Also, Intel graphics are not compatible with some games and so on.
If you don't need games, then integrated video in an Intel chipset is enough. If you need games, it's not.

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RE: Specs

By Taft12 on 11/19/2009 12:56:49 PM , Rating: 3

quote:
You pay a premium for a netbook being small. Never forget that.

You're getting your definitions muddled. You pay a premium for an ultraportable laptop which is what this Asus beast is despite the Atom CPU. There's no "premium" for a netbook - a major part of what defines a netbook is that it's the most inexpensive PC possible.

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RE: Specs

By invidious on 11/19/2009 2:33:07 PM , Rating: 2

I just bought my brother a 15" laptop with 2.2ghz c2d and 9600M graphics for $700. And the 9600M is far better than the ion.

To me the netbook market ends at $400. Anything more than that and most people would be better served with a 15" notebook. And 12" is not signfigantly small enough to warrant paying a premium for the compactness. Depending on benchmarks of the final ION platform, maybe this could sell at $500.

The only netbook I would pay a premium for would be a full notebook's worth of performance but in a small form factor with an HD screen. I would pay more for compactness, but I would not pay more and sacrifice performance for compactness. If the performance bar is lowered then no additional engineering needs to go into that would warrant a price premium.

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RE: Specs

By iFX on 11/19/2009 10:07:09 AM , Rating: 2

Although I'd like to see the Atom 330 in a netbook I was under the impression Intel wasn't licensing it for netbooks, just single core Atoms?

Is there new info on this?

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RE: Specs

By therealnickdanger on 11/19/2009 10:34:59 AM , Rating: 1

I don't think Intel can control where ASUS chooses to put its processors. The 330 is a desktop part, which requires a desktop chipset when using an Intel chipset (I believe), but since they are using Ion, it doesn't matter since Ion is mobile/desktop agnostic. What this means, however, is that the 330's TDP combined with Ion will really suck the battery life away without really aggressive power management/drivers.

I'm guessing that ASUS will use a battery method similar to the form-fitting Macbooks in order to achieve the 8-hour life in that small form-factor. If this thing costs under $600, I'd be shocked.

What I really want to see is the ASUS UL30 with Ion instead of GMA4500. I'd pay $800 for that.

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RE: Specs

By GaryJohnson on 11/19/2009 10:43:48 AM , Rating: 4

quote:
I don't think Intel can control where ASUS chooses to put its processors.

Intel was only selling the 330 as a pre-soldered chip+MB package. The netbook manufacturers would have had to purchase the CPU+MB together (expensive) and then de-solder by hand the CPU so they could attach it to their netbook MBs (really expensive).

So they were basically controlling where ASUS chooses to put its processors by making it prohibitively expensive and complicated to use a 330 in a netbook.

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RE: Specs

By therealnickdanger on 11/19/2009 11:02:17 AM , Rating: 2

That may be how Intel WAS selling them to retailers, but I believe OEMs have better options now. There are already several 330/Ion nettops available for under $400, so if OEMs are buying 330/GSE chipsets and de-soldering them, then it must not be as prohibitive as you say:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Sub...

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RE: Specs

By GaryJohnson on 11/19/2009 1:10:38 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
There are already several 330/Ion nettops available for under $400

There's only one 330/Ion nettop at that @newegg link you provide for under $400. And it's back ordered, so technically it's not available.

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RE: Specs

By iFX on 11/19/2009 1:30:52 PM , Rating: 3

There are a bunch of Atom 330 Ion systems/boards on the market. I'm not sure what it proves or doesn't prove but they are there. Most of them are constantly sold out on Newegg because there is a high demand for them.

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RE: Specs

By therealnickdanger on 11/19/2009 11:05:41 AM , Rating: 2

I just did some digging on the ASUS UL lineup and found something strange. Originally, the first press releases back in September indicated that ASUS was going to offer NVIDIA graphics for the UL20/30/50/80, but the only UL laptops I can find for sale today are X4500HD. WTF?

:(

UL20 with Core 2 Duo and G210M would be really kickass.

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RE: Specs

By OccamsAftershave on 11/19/2009 7:29:56 PM , Rating: 2

UL30vt coming in December. C2D w/ Asus turbo mode, switchable x4500 and G210M, DDR3, LED, fullsize kbd, 8 cell bat option. ~$800
woot

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RE: Specs

By bhieb on 11/19/2009 11:01:28 AM , Rating: 3

quote:
Ram: They should have use DDR3.

I agreed on the webcam, but DDR3? It isn't like anything on this setup would come close to utilizing the bandwidth available for DDR2 let alone 3.

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RE: Specs

By StevoLincolnite on 11/19/2009 11:09:03 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
I agreed on the webcam, but DDR3? It isn't like anything on this setup would come close to utilizing the bandwidth available for DDR2 let alone 3.

True, but an additional factor you may wish to add would be: Price.

DDR2 has been climbing in price, whilst DDR3 is dropping in price, DDR3 would have been a great inclusion.

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RE: Specs

By inighthawki on 11/19/2009 11:23:40 AM , Rating: 2

Currently DDR2 is a lot cheaper than DDR3 so it makes clear sense from a business perspective to use something cheaper. (whether or not one is lowering/rising in price is irrelevant, cheaper is cheaper.) The real advantage to DDR3 is the decreased power consumption, but i don't really see the savings adding up that much considering the battery life it already has, though that's just an educated guess considering I haven't seen any benchmarks for DDR3 battery life.

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RE: Specs

By Etern205 on 11/19/2009 11:56:12 AM , Rating: 2

DDR2 has gone up in price if you have been keeping track of it. The HP mini 311 (got myself the white one) uses DDR3 and also comes with Nvidia ION, the price starts out at $399 (for black swirl).
Add $50 bucks if you want Windows 7.
Add $20 bucks (I think) if you want White.

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RE: Specs

By Etern205 on 11/19/2009 12:02:29 PM , Rating: 2

According to a review, it says the ION based netbook has 30mins less batter life than the average netbooks.

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RE: Specs

By Einy0 on 11/19/2009 6:00:38 PM , Rating: 2

DDR3 can consume a lot less power than DDR2. Even further if they implement a lower clocked DDR3 with even lower power requirements.

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RE: Specs

By Suomynona on 11/19/2009 11:04:06 AM , Rating: 2

It looks like the price is $499. If they only had the option of getting a trackpoint, I'd be very interested. Why don't netbook manufacturers offer trackpoints? That's the main thing holding me back from getting one.

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RE: Specs

By smilingcrow on 11/19/2009 12:01:26 PM , Rating: 2

Such an obsession with the chipset on these 12" portables! Give me a cheap CULV dual core (Pentium) and a low power Intel IGP and I’m happy. :)

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RE: Specs

By murphyslabrat on 11/19/2009 2:11:46 PM , Rating: 2

This is a huge deal for graphics performance and freedom of platform. As is, intel's Atom certification is incredibly restrictive in the specs allowable. However, NVidia's Ion doesn't have the same restrictions. Further, the included GPU is much better, and would increase the perceived level of performance, even allowing some gaming on it (you still have the heavy CPU limitation to carry, though). Basically, it REALLY blurs the line on performance between netbook and notebook, without necessarily blurring the line on price.

But, really, I hate it when people ask "why" on sites like dailytech.com. The answer: "because we can."

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RE: Specs

By ajfink on 11/21/2009 1:56:19 AM , Rating: 2

Dual-core Atom and ION? Yes please.

I agree with your webcam comment, that's just laughable at 0.3MP.

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Could it be?

By BernardP on 11/19/2009 10:30:28 AM , Rating: 2

Could it be that following its settlement with AMD, Intel has lost much of its power to intimidate OEM's into not using non-intel hardware?

Could the AMD/Intel settlement will help NVidia revive its chipset program for Intel newer sockets?

12.1 " - what's the matter?

By lucyfek on 11/19/2009 2:19:25 PM , Rating: 2

it seems like they always have to spoil the good product. netbook was meant to be small for reason. at 12.1 it's almost to the point of becoming another brick you don't want to/can't carry around.
another suv like evolution of a product.

Power consumption

By RU482 on 11/20/2009 9:42:32 AM , Rating: 2

I met with a group at Pegatron (company split from ASUS) this week, and they were pitching an Atom based platform with the ION graphics. When I asked about power consumption of the graphics chipset, they stated "about 7 Watts". I hope those netbooks have 6 cell batteries (or better)!