14 DAY TRIAL // Since the official debut of NVIDIA's reference Ion platform, there has been a considerable media buzz around this solution, especially since this product is one of the reasons behind the ongoing Intel and NVIDIA dispute. The release of the first desktop PC to incorporate NVIDIA's ION was highly anticipated and set the stage for a number of new computer systems and devices that would take advantage of the performances and features enabled by said platform. Following the release of Acer's AspireRevo, Zotac, one of NVIDIA's leading partners, announced the introduction of its new range of Mini-ITX motherboards, equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce 9400 motherboard GPU and an integrated Atom CPU.
The platform has recently been made available to reviewers worldwide, which have already put the board through its paces. The fellows over at Anandtech claim that it is to their liking, applauding Zotac for having delivered everything that was expected from a board like the mini-ITX Ion. Hothardware appears to agree, even granting the board a Recommended badge for having delivered to their expectations. Tom's Hardware even details the different market segments on which the Ion board can be marketed, ranging from an HTPC to a gaming-ready PC and a secondary home desktop.
There are a few other motherboards on the market that can be compared with the Zotac Ion one, but for what it can deliver it is pretty much worth considering. On the bad side, there's the little matter of pricing, at US$189. However, for the most part, the aforementioned reviewers appear to agree on the fact that, even with the higher price point, the Zotac Ion motherboard offers a nice performance/value ratio.
Zotac's Ion motherboard is a product that you should take into consideration, especially if you are a fan of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) systems. It can provide you with a nice performance for an HTPC, a file server and even a low-power second, third or fourth PC for your family.