14 DAY TRIAL // The introduction of NVIDIA's ION platform has enabled a number of its partners to try out some of their own designs. Following the release of the first ION-based nettop, Point of View has also updated its product lineup with the introduction of an ION-based Mini ITX PC and is also expected to release two ION motherboards. This provides users with a choice for a fully built Windows 7-capable low-power desktop PC, or a hardware platform that can enable users to build their own ION-based desktop PC.
The technical specifications of Point of View's ION Mini PC are somewhat similar to ASRock's NetTop ION 330, which the company plans to showcase at Computex, starting next month. The system is ready to provide users with a choice for a single-core Atom 230 or a dual-core Atom 330 processor. Based on the MCP7A-ION chipset, the mini PC comes with support for 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 160GB SATA hard drive, an integrated slim-line DVD-RW, 8 USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a 60W power supply, DVI, HDMI and VGA outputs and an M-ITX form factor. The system measures 185x250x70mm and features a rather plain design.
If you, however, decide that Point of View's design doesn't meet your requirements for a desktop PC, you may want to check out the company's foray into the world of computer motherboards, coming in the form of an ION-based platform. According to the fellows over at Fudzilla, the company will launch two motherboards, featuring the ION chipset. The difference between the two is that one will be featured with the single-core Atom 230 processor, while the other will be powered by the dual-core Atom 330. Additional features include support for a maximum of 2GB of DDR2 memory, a PCI-Express x16 slot, four SATA ports, a Realtek ALC662 5.1-channel audio chip, optical SPDIF output, six USB ports, DVI, HDMI and D-Sub connectivity, Gigabit LAN and a 24-pin power connector.
These two boards are featured with fanless cooling, enabling users to take advantage of a low-power, low-noise computing solution.
There aren't any details on the pricing and availability of the Point of View ION Mini PC, but the company's ION boards are expected to be more affordable than Zotac's ION board.
