Late last month, Lenovo announced the introduction of its new IdeaPad S12 portable computer system, a 12-inch laptop that combined an Intel Atom processor with an NVIDIA GeForce motherboard GPU, a platform also known as the NVIDIA Ion. It now appears that Lenovo will provide its customers with a few more customization options for the IdeaPad S12, one of which is entirely based on a platform developed by chip maker VIA. This is a configuration that combines a low-power VIA Nano processor with a VIA integrated graphics, and is basically VIA's response to Intel's successful Atom platform.

 

According to recent reports, Lenovo has introduced the VIA-based IdeaPad S12 configuration as an alternative to the company's current Ion-based laptop, which is believed to have been delayed until later this year, in October. The VIA-based IdeaPad S12 will provide users with a choice for a VIA Nano ULV 2250 processor, clocked at 1.3GHz and paired with 1GB of DDR2 667MHz memory. The system's graphics chipset is also a VIA product, namely the integrated Chrome9 ICH3 solution, which is capable of enabling a 1280 by 800 pixel resolution on the 12.1-inch screen.

 

Aside from the aforementioned specifications, the VIA-based IdeaPad S12 netbook is featured with the same 160GB 5400RPM hard drive, Broadcom wireless 802.11 b/g connectivity and a Genuine copy of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. As all the other IdeaPad S12 configurations (currently only available with an Intel integrated graphics chip), this VIA-based model is also featured with a 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery pack, which could provide roughly the same battery life as on Intel-based configurations.

 

Lenovo's VIA Nano-powered IdeaPad S12 has a starting price tag of US$449,00, the same as the current Intel-based configurations. This basically leaves the user with a choice for a full Intel-based PC or a system built on a VIA platform.