Sure, NVIDIA has moved on to its next-generation NVIDIA ION platform that offers even higher graphics performance and plays well with Intel Atom Pine Trail processors. But you know who’s still interested in the first-generation ION platform that bundles an NVIDIA graphics processor with an Intel Atom N270 or N280 chip? The companies making dirt cheap netbooks for sale in China.
Shanzai.com spotted a netbook that looks an awful lot like a 10 inch Acer Aspire One — except this model has a first generation Intel Atom chip and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics on the inside. That means you should be able to play 1080p HD video and even HD Flash video on this netbook without kiling the CPU — although the site points out that there are still some dropped frames when watching HD video.
Still, it’s nice to see that even some of the cheapest netbooks on the planet are now available with upgraded graphics. Don’t expect to see this particular model in the US anytime soon, but Acer does plan to offer a 10 inch netbook called the Aspire One 532G in the West soon with next-generation NVIDIA ION graphics and an Intel Atom Pine Trail processor.
This is exactly what I want… if it has a 6-cell battery and an HD screen to go with Ion. And if I can get it to Canada.
My only options south of a MacBook are either a CULV with nVidia graphics or, as there is almost nothing out there in that category, the cheapest netbook available with Ion (preferably the old one). The HP 311 has already disappeared – and probably suffered from HP quality – so if anyone knows where/how I can buy this “untitled” netbook with Ion, please tell me!