We all know how successful netbooks have recently become but, even so, we have to admit that when it comes to graphics, these small-sized, low-power computer devices are simply not able to deliver the level of performance required by some portable computer users out there. That is, however, about to change, as S3 Graphics, a company wholly owned by Via Technologies, has just announced its new Chrome 400 ULP-series graphics processing units (GPUs).

 

The interesting thing about the newly announced product is that it has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of today's Internet-oriented portable computer systems, including netbooks, mobile Internet devices (MIDs) or ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs). The Chrome 400 ULP series supports hardware decoding of high-definition video, in addition to Microsoft Windows Vista Aero user interface and DirectX 10.1.

 

“S3 Graphics can now deliver a superior mobile visual experience that users will soon demand on all mini-note and mobile products. Our latest Chrome 400 ULP series processors offer manufacturers a mobile graphics component that’s long overdue; a truly power-efficient mobile GPU that really performs,” said Dr. Ken Weng, general manager of S3 Graphics.

 

As mentioned above, the S3 Graphics Chrome 400 ULP processors bring support for the latest Microsoft DirectX 10.1 API, as well as hardware-accelerated decoding of HD content, encoded using MPEG2-HD, VC-1, H-264 or WMV-HD codecs - all of these with a thermal design power of just 7W.

 

It is yet uncertain how the new GPU is going to respond to current requirements of HD content but, even so, the prospect of having better graphics in a netbook system seems quite appealing. One can only hope that HP plans to adopt the new solution for one of its upcoming portable systems, which will be powered by a VIA Nano processor. After all, a combination of a Nano processor and an S3 graphics solution doesn't seem all that bad, as it might actually improve the performance of all those netbooks on the market that are powered by Intel's technologies.

 

S3 Graphics has also revealed that Fujitsu is to announce a Chrome 400 ULP notebook sometime soon.