NVIDIA introduces ION LE platform for Windows XP computers

NVIDIA has introduced a slight variation on its ION platform, which bundles a low power Intel Atom processor with higher performance NVIDIA graphics. The new NVIDIA ION LE is pretty much exactly the same as the first generation ION, but according to Fudzilla, ION LE only supports DirectXv9, not DirectX 10.

ION LE is designed for netbooks and nettops running Windows XP, while the fuller featured version of the NVIDIA ION platform will support DirectX 10 and is expected to be bundled with computers running Windows 7.

Microsoft has been offering low cost Windows XP licenses to netbook and nettop makers for the last year or so, which helps keep the price of these computer down. It also helps keep them from competing with higher end systems. It’s likely that NVIDIA can also cut some costs, which may or may not be passed along to the consumer, by supporting DX9 but not DX10, at least until Windows 7 is widely available.

via Netbook Choice

Posted on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009, 8:56 am by Brad Linder

REMF

hmmm, artificially crippled products.

no thanks.
pauli

sweet. more vapor.
DougC3

LEss…

I smell a conspiracy… (http://www.liliputing.com/2009/07/nvidia-ion-pl…)

but it'll take a more contorted theorist than I am to figure out how/why NVIDIA would take a kickback from Intel on Atom purchases for weakening their own platform/reputation. (Intel, please note the winkies and don't sue me–this is just hypothetical.
MonkeyKing1969

The difference between supporting DX-9 and DX-10 being what? The difference being the ability to fish chips out of the rejected bin, maybe?

NVIDA is always discrete, but the early talk was that 'chip yields' were…disappointing. I think ION is providing hard to make, but only someone with more frontal lobe than I have could tell you the gap between DX-9 and DX-10 needs.
Solarix

Great, another product that won't actually be seen in the mainstream market for who knows how long. I am still waiting on an Ion machine to actually begin shipping, let alone, it would need to have a 1366×768 10.x” screen. (POV Mobii Ion 230 reportedly does not have the higher rez option at launch)

And on that note of unfulfilled promises, where are my flying cars?
MonkeyKing1969

Well, before we flip out we shoudl remember you can pre-order a Samsing N510 as we speak in France. The chips exist, the products are shipping soon, it just not going to be as fast as we hoped.
MonkeyKing1969

Well, before we flip out we shoudl remember you can pre-order a Samsing N510 as we speak in France. The chips exist, the products are shipping soon, it just not going to be as fast as we hoped.
howbe

Maybe someone can softmod the ION LE and unlock the DirectX 10 underneath.
howbe

….If there is even a directx 10 inside the ION LE.

NVIDIA introduces ION LE platform for Windows XP computers

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