14 DAY TRIAL // Rumors of upcoming NVIDIA Ion-based PCs have started since the Santa Clara, California-based company first introduced the product, back in late December 2008. Such systems are expected to combine Intel's highly-successful Atom processor with NVIDIA's MacBook-friendly GeForce 9400M graphics chipset. The platform is capable of providing users with an adequate performance, while keeping the price tag, power consumption and form factor to a minimum. According to the green graphics chip maker, such systems are expected to debut on the market sometime in Q2 or Q3 this year.
The graphics card manufacturer hasn't fully detailed any of the upcoming systems and has even kept quiet in regard to rumors related to the upcoming upgraded MacMini, which is believed to boast an Intel Atom processor and NVIDIA's already famous GeForce 9400M graphics chip. NVIDIA's Ion platform appears to be an excellent choice for Apple's alleged new MacMini computer system, as it provides features that are generally available for fully-fledged desktop systems, but within a considerably smaller form factor and at a much more affordable price tag.
NVIDIA has been suggesting that consumers interested in acquiring a PC based on the aforementioned platform should contact their favorite PC vendors in regard to the estimated release date of such systems. However, up until now, there haven't been any official reports regarding an upcoming Ion-based computer system. Neither Apple nor other PC makers have confirmed that they will be using NVIDIA's Ion for some upcoming computer systems.
NVIDIA's Ion has been designed to allow PC makers to combine Intel's Atom processors with NVIDIA's GeForce graphics chips or chipsets. The configuration enables Atom-powered systems to provide an enhanced performance, also offering users a series of features that aren't available on current Atom-based PCs. With the help of the GeForce 9400M chip, Intel's Atom is capable of providing its users with a more decent computer system, which comes closer to fully-fledged PCs.