ASUS Reportedly Plans ION 2 All-in-One

ASUSTek, one of the world's leading vendors of computer hardware and computer systems is looking to update its line of NVIDIA-based nettop systems, with the addition of a new ION 2-based system. The Taiwanese company will adopt NVIDIA's next-generation, low-power ION platform for one of its upcoming all-in-one computer systems, combining Intel's latest processors with a new integrated GeForce graphics chip, from NVIDIA.

The bits and pieces of the upcoming system are rather scarce, at this time, but Digitimes reports that the Taiwanese outfit is planning at least one ION 2-based computer system, which will be available in an all-in-one design. Part of the company's Eee Top family of systems, the 20-inch ET2010PNT is scheduled to launch in the near future, although the release date is yet unknown. The system will combine Intel's dual-core Atom D510 processor with NVIDIA's GeForce G310 graphics chip, according to said source.

NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce G310 graphics engine is reportedly based on the company's 40nm GeForce 210 graphics processor, which is featured with support for Microsoft's DirectX 10.1. The chip will have to compete with the most recent Crystal HD technology, delivered by Broadcom to enable Pine Trail-based systems to offer 1080p video support. As this solution is more cost efficient than NVIDIA's ION 2 platform, PC manufacturers might choose it over NVIDIA's platform, consequently impacting sales of the next-generation ION platform.

ASUS isn't the only company that will combine Intel's latest Atom processors with the next-generation NVIDIA Ion platform, as Zotac is also said to be planning the release of an ION 2-based PC system, codenamed MAG HD-ND01, which will pair an NVIDIA GeForce 210 graphics chip with an Atom D410 or D510 processor. According to the same report, the Zotac-designed nettop will be launched in March, probably round about the time of the CeBIT show. Pricing is said to settle at about US$249.