14 DAY TRIAL // NVIDIA's Ion platform continues to make itself present in some of the latest computer systems that are being launched on the market, despite the ongoing dispute between Intel and NVIDIA, regarding the latter's rights to continue to make chipsets for the former's latest Nehalem-based processors. On that note, Onkyo has recently unveiled its latest NVIDIA ION-based design, with the introduction of the Onkyo P305A3 desktop computer system. While not boasting the coolest name on the market, this small-sized, low-power computer system comes with an interesting design, providing users with a removable optical drive, a design concept that has already been adopted by a recent Viewsonic nettop.
As far as technical specifications go, this small-sized desktop PC is ready to provide consumers with the performance of a single-core Intel Atom 230 processor, running at the familiar 1.6GHz clock speed. Paired with the aforementioned NVIDIA ION graphics chipset, the nettop also features 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and offers four USB 2.0 ports. In addition, the unit also sports eSATA and HDMI connectivity, while users will be able to opt-in for a WiFi solution, available as a configuration option.
One of the more interesting features of the new PC is that it comes with a removable optical drive, which allows users to integrate the external optical drive into the entire nettop design, offering a more compact solution, when compared to traditional nettops. As far as design goes, the P305A3 offers a choice for a slimmer desktop PC, or a nettop that offers a conveniently placed DVD burner, all in the same package.
Unfortunately, the Atom N230 inside the Onkyo nettop will leave much to be desired in terms of performance, but we are hoping for an updated model that will boast the dual-core Atom 330 CPU. As for pricing, the nettop is set to go on sale in Japan, on March 11th, for a price tag of 69,800 yen ($771) or with an HD 21.5-inch LCD for 89,800 ($992). The OS will definitely be Microsoft's Windows 7 Home Premium.