Nvidia Introduces New Gaming-Capable Nettop PC

[DoctorFinger]

http://www.nvidia.com/docs/IO/69824/ION_hand_large.jpg

That sexy little thing you above is Nvidia's ION nettop (simile time: a nettop is to a desktop as a netbook is to a notebook) computer. Nvidia promises a full feature PC, capable of 1080p decoding and modest gaming performance, in each little package. The performance is good enough to get Google, Adobe, Microsoft and EA onboard, and they promise such disparate applications as Spore, Call of Duty 4, Adobe Photoshop, Cyberlink PowerDVD and Battlefield 2 will work on the ION. In addition to gaming and other normal PC activities, the unit is supposed to be media center-capable and includes HDMI outputs.

Nvidia says the units will be available at retail sometime in the second quarter, which runs from today to the end of June. No word on price, but Nvidia used the terms "small and affordable" and "competitively priced" to describe the ION, so don't expect to break the bank.

Thanks to Deadend (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/member.php?u=75) for the tip!

[Wraith]

A bit early for Windows 7 (which is supposed to perform quite well on nettops/netbooks); I suppose they will ship with Vista?

Also, I wonder if they will ship with 7200 RPM notebook drives or SSDs...

[Ancalagon]

Heres a performance preview: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3509&p=3

Its been announced for quite a while.

[Wolvie]

Wow, if it was cheap enough, I might have a replacement for my outdated PC.

[Mike Kelehan]

I'll get a new PC when Diablo 3 comes out. In the mean while, hardware makers, you guys keep making them smaller, cheaper, and more powerful.

[Deadend]

Heres a performance preview: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3509&p=3

Its been announced for quite a while.

True, but I don't recall us talking about it. I think it could be good for gaming. If all those netbooks out there started to use Ion chips instead, there could be more potential PC gamers out there.

[Spigot]

Hmm.. Given that my PC seems to be on the fritz (as I've grumbled about in about 30 other threads), this would be nice to replace it.

Or at the very least supplement it.

[DoctorFinger]

The chipset - the Atom - was announced. But AFAIK this is the first look at the actual retail product.

[Nura]

Would be really nice to bring to lans! If the price is right i'm getting one!

[divinechaos]

As a console gamer I know NOTHING about PC gaming, other than I really wanted to get into it but it's way too expensive for me. So since this thing has an HDMI output I could plug it in my TV and play it like a console then?

[Young Al Capone]

I like it, I could use a temporary replacement for my PC until I get into a situation where I can rebuild proper. Maybe this will be the ticket, though after reading that article I am not so sure.

[Young Al Capone]

As a console gamer I know NOTHING about PC gaming, other than I really wanted to get into it but it's way too expensive for me. So since this thing has an HDMI output I could plug it in my TV and play it like a console then?

You could plug it into your tv and use a gamepad, so yeah basically.

[Xerxes]

That would be almost perfect.

[Xerxes]

A bit early for Windows 7 (which is supposed to perform quite well on nettops/netbooks); I suppose they will ship with Vista?

Also, I wonder if they will ship with 7200 RPM notebook drives or SSDs...

Needs a media center for damn sure.

[Ghostbear]

As mentioned in the chat room, if you have to plug in a mouse, keyboard, monitor etc. Does it really need to be that small?

[divinechaos]

You could plug it into your tv and use a gamepad, so yeah basically.

Huh, so this little thing might be what I've been waiting for all my life. But what about installs and all that stuff? And another question, does the game go into this thing? I haven't seen any pictures other than the one posted in this thread.

[Ghostbear]

Huh, so this little thing might be what I've been waiting for all my life. But what about installs and all that stuff? And another question, does the game go into this thing? I haven't seen any pictures other than the one posted in this thread.

You will still have to install games. Does what game go into this thing? Its a PC like any other, it just happens to be tiny. It will run windows, so the difference between this and any other pc is just the hardware involved. It will run pretty much the same, otherwise this would just be another console.

[Deadend]

Huh, so this little thing might be what I've been waiting for all my life. But what about installs and all that stuff? And another question, does the game go into this thing? I haven't seen any pictures other than the one posted in this thread.

I think you would be using Steam to put games on it. But it isn't quite high performance yet. It's a Sims 3, WoW, and maybe some indie-games box for cheap. It Will NOT be running Crysis, but it is a huge step in the direction Nvidia should be going. Basically making their own "console" that is still a PC but that acts more as a technical spec and a goalpoint for game studios.

[divinechaos]

You will still have to install games. Does what game go into this thing? Its a PC like any other, it just happens to be tiny. It will run windows, so the difference between this and any other pc is just the hardware involved. It will run pretty much the same, otherwise this would just be another console.

I meant to ask if this thing has a CD drive and after reading the article I see that it can also play Blu-Rays? If they price it right this might be my first venture into PC gaming.

[Clark]

Wow.

IF/WHEN this can be upgraded for better gaming performance, I'm all over it. I'm shopping around for a new PC for my TV and this would have been perfect.

It just doesn't sound like it is ready for hardcore gaming yet.

[Jackel]

I meant to ask if this thing has a CD drive and after reading the article I see that it can also play Blu-Rays? If they price it right this might be my first venture into PC gaming.

Ugh..honestly this thing will probably just disappoint you if you're comparing it to consoles. The graphics for all the games had to be dropped to 800x600 which isn't even 720p, which you're probably used to on the console.

[ElektroDragon]

Maybe I should have waited for this instead of blowing $3000 on a high end PC I don't have time to use for gaming.

[Ghostbear]

This will not replace even mid level gaming PCs. It will run WoW and many older games. Anyone expecting to run even a 2 year old game will probably be disappointed.

[johnperkins21]

I sincerely doubt this thing will get better performance than a $400 Dell with a halfway decent video card. And I'd be shocked as hell if the price comes in below $350.

However, as an HTPC, this thing has promise.

[Ancalagon]

The chipset - the Atom - was announced. But AFAIK this is the first look at the actual retail product.

More correctly, Intel announced the Atom CPU ages ago, and then a few months later Nvidia announced its ION platform, which uses an Atom processor. It means Nvidia and Intel are now in competition, I seem to recall Intel getting uppity about it since they dont want people to be aware that their integrated graphics solutions are very weak.

Anyway.... thats kinda irrelevant, so I'll stop being so anal now, sorry.

This thing could be a nice solution for a cheap gaming device, I mean yeah you are resolution constrained, but you can still run Fallout 3 and browse the web, and watch movies. It could probably run Linux for those who need other uses from their device.

Could this also herald x86 being seen in more compact devices, such as routers?

[LiquidRain]

Could this also herald x86 being seen in more compact devices, such as routers?
No, I don't think we'll ever see that. There's only 1 manufacturer of Atoms. There are tons of manufacturers for ARM processors and the like, since all it takes is the ARM license. I imagine companies like Cisco definitely appreciate having companies jockey to get their processors into Cisco routers. (since any ARM is mostly drop-in replaceable)

And this stuff is definitely old news for hardware people- Here's Anandtech's full performance review (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3478) from over 4 months ago. In which Anandtech discovered that the platform isn't capable of smoothly playing back 1080p Blu-Ray.

This is our original thread on the topic here at COG. (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=3724)

Also, if you want REAL power, take the Ion platform and replace the Atom with a Core 2 Duo and add a little more space for a PCI-e graphics card if you'd like to expand your graphics capability. You know, like this motherboard right here does. (http://techreport.com/articles.x/16642) Now THAT is interesting for a HTPC. :) (provided you can find a good case for it)

[Xerxes]

No, I don't think we'll ever see that. There's only 1 manufacturer of Atoms. There are tons of manufacturers for ARM processors and the like, since all it takes is the ARM license. I imagine companies like Cisco definitely appreciate having companies jockey to get their processors into their routers.

And this stuff is definitely old news for hardware people- Here's Anandtech's full performance review (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3478) from over 4 months ago. In which Anandtech discovered that the platform isn't capable of smoothly playing back 1080p Blu-Ray.

This is our original thread on the topic here at COG. (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=3724)

That was 4 months ago.

[hideouslywrinkled]

If that could handle Hulu, NBC.com, ABC.com and CBS.com streaming, I'd be in...

Except that it's so ugly that I wouldn't want it near my TV. Hopefully ASUS will make an EEE Box with a discrete graphics card.

[Voodoo]

Maybe I should have waited for this instead of blowing $3000 on a high end PC I don't have time to use for gaming.

Holy shit! $3000 on a single PC? WTF are you doing with this thing?

[LiquidRain]

That was 4 months ago.
Yes. That was my point.

[Voodoo]

If that could handle Hulu, NBC.com, ABC.com and CBS.com streaming, I'd be in...

Except that it's so ugly that I wouldn't want it near my TV. Hopefully ASUS will make an EEE Box with a discrete graphics card.

Wait until the eventual teaming of VIA and nVidia. ION + Nano = Total Win.

[DoctorFinger]

I see this more as a set top box to attach to an HDTV. You can game (a little), but it's more for streaming and other media functions in my mind. Grab an external HDD, a wireless mouse and keyboard combo and you're gold.

[Xerxes]

I see this more as a set top box to attach to an HDTV. You can game (a little), but it's more for streaming and other media functions in my mind. Grab an external HDD, a wireless mouse and keyboard combo and you're gold.

Exactly. Be nice if the came up with a unique input device so you could use it just for a set top box. But the only thing coming to my head is a something like a wii remote. >_<

[DoctorFinger]

Exactly. Be nice if the came up with a unique input device so you could use it just for a set top box. But the only thing coming to my head is a something like a wii remote. >_<Maybe something like this...?

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/10/phantom_lapboard.jpg

[Voodoo]

Ahem... If you are going to use it as a set top box, might as well go full fancy.

Logitech diNovo Mini (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126039&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Keyboards-_-Logitech+Inc.-_-23126039)

http://www.gadgettastic.com/wp-content/2008/01/logitech-dinovo-mini-palm-sized-bluetooth-keyboard.jpg

I've got one and absolutely love it. My computer, though, is a mini tower place behind the flat screen. Out of sight, out of mind and doesn't need to be a little computer. :)

[BlackPete]

This interests me. I'd been thinking for quite a while of having my laptop be my set top box, and hide it in a media cabinet, plug into the 46" TV, and navigate using a wireless keyboard/mouse combo. Only problem is when the computer goes into sleep mode, the USB connection no longer works so I still need access to the laptop to wake it up, so I still can't completely hide it the way I'd like to.

This promises to be a step in the right direction, but I'll hold off until one comes out that can handle full 1080p video smoothly.

[LiquidRain]

This promises to be a step in the right direction, but I'll hold off until one comes out that can handle full 1080p video smoothly.
If you're into build-your-own PCs, I linked this in the thread earlier. (http://techreport.com/articles.x/16642)

[BlackPete]

If you're into build-your-own PCs, I linked this in the thread earlier. (http://techreport.com/articles.x/16642)

Heh I used to be a major nut for building my machines, then a few years ago lost all interest in it once I got my laptop. I'm never building another desktop again because realistically speaking I never actually upgrade anything and have to buy a whole new system because by the time I get around to an upgrade, a new protocol came out which required new connections, new hardware to support these connections, etc...

So these days I just say fuck it, get a complete and small system for media and surfing purposes, and play games on the console. No more PC gaming for me!

[Xerxes]

If you're into build-your-own PCs, I linked this in the thread earlier. (http://techreport.com/articles.x/16642)

What kind of case would you stick this in? And how much we talking?

[LiquidRain]

Cases for ITX computers are not cheap (http://www.logicsupply.com/) for the size you get.

[Spigot]

Heh I used to be a major nut for building my machines, then a few years ago lost all interest in it once I got my laptop. I'm never building another desktop again because realistically speaking I never actually upgrade anything and have to buy a whole new system because by the time I get around to an upgrade, a new protocol came out which required new connections, new hardware to support these connections, etc...

So these days I just say fuck it, get a complete and small system for media and surfing purposes, and play games on the console. No more PC gaming for me!I'm almost in the same boat. I built my own rigs for years and years but once I had kids, I just decided that it wasn't worth the time, effort and money to keep trying to stay ahead or at least on the curve. Amazingly, this also happened around the time that I started playing the 360 and finally had a system that trumped my PC (for a time, at least).

I'm not giving up on PC gaming but due to my craptastic computer, I've basically turned it into a WoW box or something for games that are very scalable (lots of indie games on there). That said, now that I'm quasi-in the market for a new computer, I'm going to be doing a lot of research this time around. I doubt I'll build one from scratch just yet (I'm too rusty) but I'm not going to ask for substandard crap either.

[Shjinta]

Wow looks Spiffy...where the hell is the HDD though...and how big is it?

[Xerxes]

Cases for ITX computers are not cheap (http://www.logicsupply.com/) for the size you get.

I might look into this. See how much one would run all together. I mean I use my computer 60% of the time for media. But I just found out my NAS can handle bit torrents. So all I need now is something that can watch them. PS3 can do some of the files, but not the mkv files. Then there's the hulu with it's 540p HD. The other 35% is just the internet. I have my laptop for that.

[MagGnome]

43 posts and no one has compared this thing to the Mac Mini yet? That's the first thing I thought of when I saw it.

[Xerxes]

43 posts and no one has compared this thing to the Mac Mini yet? That's the first thing I thought of when I saw it.

You see, nobody likes mac. Now run along. :p

[DoctorFinger]

43 posts and no one has compared this thing to the Mac Mini yet? That's the first thing I thought of when I saw it.We're too busy using computers that actually, you know, work to use Macs. :D

[MagGnome]

I didn't say that this was better or worse than the Mini - I just said that I was surprised that no one has made the comparison.

In other words, fuck the both of you. :p

[PathMaster]

Interesting, I like some others wonder what else this device can handle.

[Mason]

So these days I just say fuck it, get a complete and small system for media and surfing purposes, and play games on the console. No more PC gaming for me!
$70 for a 4670. It's worth the money for Valve and Blizzard games alone.

I like the concept, but the Anandtech reviews from some mysterious, unspecified amount of time in the past weren't glowing. There are ways of getting a nice SFF PC for a low price that's far more generally capable.

[AbeLincoln]

Things like this, are in the parent zone, you'd buy them for your parent or tech illiterate friend that didn't need something powerful but wanted something to hook to the TV or upgrade from that truly archaic box they've been using. This would be good for that. It'll do what the average person would demand of a machine.

If I was going to get something for me I would just build a small form factor PC. In reality though I can't see myself spending the money on either option for myself, too broke :(

[LiquidRain]

43 posts and no one has compared this thing to the Mac Mini yet? That's the first thing I thought of when I saw it.
The Mac Mini runs on better hardware. It runs Core 2 Duos, not Atoms, and that will make a GIGANTIC performance difference.

[H.Bogard]

$70 for a 4670. It's worth the money for Valve and Blizzard games alone.


I'd recommend this, (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822)as I often have on IRC as well.

[Xerxes]

The Mac Mini runs on better hardware. It runs Core 2 Duos, not Atoms, and that will make a GIGANTIC performance difference.

But this looks to be smaller right? Other wise we'd all build micro itx systems with better processors.

[Deadend]

The Mac Mini runs on better hardware. It runs Core 2 Duos, not Atoms, and that will make a GIGANTIC performance difference.

Don't Minis also have FORSHIT GPUs and are much more expensive and rely on lovely proprietary connectors. did I mention they are basically overpriced and charging for the brand name.

[cp#]

I'll buy an Ion netbook.

[total]

Don't Minis also have FORSHIT GPUs and are much more expensive and rely on lovely proprietary connectors. did I mention they are basically overpriced and charging for the brand name.

Yeah, this gen of Minis was underwhelming to say the least. I was honestly considering picking one up too. :(

[JayVe]

PCs are rapidly approaching the commodity pricetag. Nvidia is really smart for trying to be the PC maker in this case. If they can toss a whole computer around a decent little video card, and make the thing easy enough to get up and running, they may be in for a whole lot of win.

[Chris_D]

It seems to me that PC game makers should start targeting platforms like this as their baseline.

[LiquidRain]

Don't Minis also have FORSHIT GPUs and are much more expensive and rely on lovely proprietary connectors. did I mention they are basically overpriced and charging for the brand name.
Er, Minis use mini DVI and mini DisplayPort. Not proprietary as far as I know, just Apple's the only one who bothers to use them.

And Apple stealthily upgraded their Mac Mini to use the same nVidia 9400m chipset present in their Macbooks. So no, their GPU does not suck.

It seems to me that PC game makers should start targeting platforms like this as their baseline.
Valve does.

[muddi900]

Acer announces it's own ION based PC. (http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/acer-launches-first-nvidia-ion-based-nettop-aspirerevo/)

[LiquidRain]

I wonder what the fans in it are like though - I'm concerned about noise with that thing.

[biosc1]

Yeah, this gen of Minis was underwhelming to say the least. I was honestly considering picking one up too. :(

Really? I have heard great things about them...they apparently handle 1080p now without an issue (probably due to the card upgrade that was mentioned).

Personally, I can't wait until the Ion cards make it into the EEE pc's and laptops.

[Virtual Pariah]

I could get into something like this for an HTPC and some retro gaming.
Beyond that I'll stick to the consoles. Less config issues and I'm lazy about having to be on top of a PC for antivirus, spyware, updated drivers, etc etc Lately.

I want it automagical as I have better things to do than troubleshoot my own rig.