14 DAY TRIAL // NVIDIA's Ion platform is apparently just days away from making its debut in the netbook and nettop market, as recent reports indicate at least one system vendor planning the launch of several Ion-based netbooks. According to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report, cited by Digitimes in a recent news-article, Lenovo is planning to launch netbooks with 11.5-inch and 12.1-inch display sizes, building on the performance capabilities offered by NVIDIA's Ion platform. Both netbooks are expected to make their debut in the second quarter of this year, according to the sources.
It's a well-known fact that NVIDIA has managed to improve Intel's netbook platform, which combines an Intel chipset and an Intel Atom processor. The Santa Clara, California-based NVIDIA released the GeForce 9400M chip, which, combined with an Intel Atom processor, can enable small sized, low-power computer systems, such as netbooks or nettops, to provide users with a performance-capable system that comes at an affordable price tag.
Lenovo appears to be among the first system builders planning the release of a number of Ion-powered netbooks. This only confirms the company's commitment in increasing its market share in the growing market for netbooks, where it has to compete with leading companies like Acer, ASUS or HP. In addition, the maker is said to be evaluating the possibility of launching a 13-inch system, based on the Ion platform, while an upcoming 12-inch netbook will be designed to incorporate a platform provide by VIA Technologies, as the sources indicate.
With the CeBIT show just days away, we are expecting some new Ion-based systems to be showcased at the event for the first time. NVIDIA might be preparing a decent number of announcements, as the company is also expected to add more GeForce graphics cards to its GT200 series.