Google, Microsoft, EA Support NVIDIA's ION

Santa Clara, California-based NVIDIA has announced that its ION platform, released late last year, has managed to draw the attention and support of analysts and world's leading software companies, such as Google, Microsoft and Electronics Arts. According to the chip maker, the performance potential of its ION platform will enable PC makers to develop smaller and more affordable computer systems, which will most likely draw the attention of consumers worldwide. ION-based PCs are expected to become available this summer and allow users to enjoy some of the world's most popular applicatIONs.

“Providing superior performance for one of the fastest growing market segments makes NVIDIA ION a winner,” said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at In-Stat, an analyst firm specializing in the mobile internet and digital entertainment markets. “Consumers today want less expensive PCs with more capabilities, which is exactly what ION delivers. Users can suddenly do more with their systems, and developers benefit from an expanding TAM (total available market). It’s a win-win for the entire industry.”

NVIDIA has designed the ION platform so that fans of small-sized and low-power computer systems can enjoy the full visual experience of a fully fledged PC. The platform combines Intel's successful Atom platform with one of NVIDIA's latest motherboard GPUs, the GeForce 9400M. When combined, these two elements can deliver the necessary performance for an HD-capable PC that can be encased in a small form factor chassis.

According to NVIDIA, the next generatION of smaller, greener, fully capable PCs will be able to run some of the world's most popular applicatIONs, including Spore, Call of Duty 4, Google Earth, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Cyberlink PowerDVD, LEGO: Batman, and Battlefield 2. This is basically enabled by the integrated NVIDIA GPU, which packs a significant graphics performance inside a low-power package.