Acer launches first NVIDIA Ion-based nettop: AspireRevo
by Darren Murph 
posted Apr 7th 2009 at 6:01PM
NVIDIA AND ACER DISRUPT THE MARKET WITH AMAZINGLY SMALL, GREEN, FULL-FEATURED PC
First NVIDIA ION System Raises the Standard for Affordable PC Graphics
SANTA CLARA, CA-APRIL 7, 2009-NVIDIA and Acer reshaped the PC landscape today by setting a new standard for small PCs with the introduction of the world's first NVIDIA® ION™ -based PC, the Acer AspireRevo.
No larger than a typical hardcover book, the AspireRevo is a fully capable desktop with advanced graphics and impressive multimedia features. Equipped with NVIDIA ION graphics, the system can handle a wide variety of computing needs including high definition video, gaming, sharing digital photos, surfing the web, and other tasks consumers expect from full-size systems.
The AspireRevo represents a sharp break from 20 years of big, power hungry, and expensive PCs by delivering a full PC experience in a small, energy efficient, and affordable system. NVIDIA ION graphics make this possible with performance that is 5-10 times faster than traditional PCs with integrated graphics.
"The AspireRevo is small and quiet enough to go anywhere, yet big enough to handle all the needs of your digital lifestyle," said Gianpiero Morbello, corporate vice president of marketing for Acer. "It's perfectly suited for the living room, because NVIDIA ION provides a brilliant graphics experience with digital photos, watching video, and playing family-friendly games."
"The Acer AspireRevo with our new NVIDIA ION GPU is so small and powerful it's unbelievable," said Dan Vivoli, senior vice president of marketing at NVIDIA. "Watch Blu-ray movies1 and HD movie trailers, or clean up jerky, dim cell phone videos for internet streaming. This is the perfect PC for today's consumers."
The NVIDIA ION graphics processor in the AspireRevo supports:
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Outstanding 1080p HD video with true-fidelity 7.1 audio
• Popular games including Spore, Call of Duty 4, and Sim City 5
• DirectX 10 graphics with advanced digital display connectivity
• Accelerated video enhancement and transcoding using NVIDIA® CUDA™ technology
About NVIDIA ION graphics processors
NVIDIA ION graphics processors turn up the visuals on small PCs with up to 10X faster graphics performance than similar systems. ION graphics processors provide support for premium Windows Vista features, outstanding media capabilities including 1080p high definition video and Blu-ray movies, and support for popular PC games.
1 Requires an external Blu-ray movie player.
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (Nasdaq: NVDA) is the world leader in visual computing technologies and the inventor of the GPU, a high-performance processor which generates breathtaking, interactive graphics on workstations, personal computers, game consoles, and mobile devices. NVIDIA serves the entertainment and consumer market with its GeForce graphics products, the professional design and visualization market with its Quadro® graphics products, and the high-performance computing market with its Tesla™ computing solutions products. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and has offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. For more information, visit www.nvidia.com.
Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: the benefits, features, impact, and capabilities of the NVIDIA ION graphics processor and NVIDIA ION GPUs; and the affects of the NVIDIA ION GPU on desktop PCs including the Acer AspireRevo, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: development of more efficient or faster technology; adoption of the CPU for parallel processing; design, manufacturing or software defects; the impact of technological development and competition; changes in consumer preferences and demands; customer adoption of different standards or our competitor's products; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended January 25, 2009. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on our website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mark Anderson @ Apr 7th 2009 6:04PM
Nice. Ideal for a media server.
Joseph @ Apr 7th 2009 6:33PM
I will buy this if it is under $300 and user upgradable. If I am going to spend more, I would just get the mac mini, but if i can have a 9400M for sub3bills I am in.
FishyPops @ Apr 7th 2009 6:47PM
The specs sound really good.
I wonder if Apple will copy this ?
If they do I will definitely buy it. If Acer brings it out at say $500, then Apple should be able to get it out the door for .... one sec.... 500 * 1.3 = 650 rounded up ... about $1000.
Credit card ready Steve.
~~Tito~~ @ Apr 7th 2009 6:55PM
@FishyPops:
Apple doesn't copy people, they copy apple, even before apple makes it.
JWC @ Apr 7th 2009 6:58PM
250GB? You'll fill that up in a week. 1TB is minimum for a media server. Now this could be a good player that's able to access files over the network on the big jukebox PC in the closet. Or you could just swap out the drive; 1TB is about $100 these days.
Fanfoot @ Apr 7th 2009 10:49PM
Might be using a 2.5" laptop drive, in which case 1TB isn't available yet. But 500GB is...
Shinigami @ Apr 8th 2009 9:55AM
Is using 2.5" drive.
If its $300 as said before, I want it on sale yesterday.
AuDioFreaK39 @ Apr 8th 2009 4:20PM
I love how these "can handle Blu-ray content" with the integrated 9400GT, but it's funny how they don't include an optical drive. As far as I know, most people just don't have true uncompressed 1080p videos lying around on their hard drives.
FiZ @ Apr 11th 2009 10:17AM
@AuDioFreaK39:
You realize that will only double the size of the device, right?
Honestly, I would have no issue plugging in a Drobo or something similar storage device and start buying or renting movies from iTunes/Amazon/Netflix.
)ROFL( @ Apr 7th 2009 6:04PM
Looks like a toy.
Chuckles McGee @ Apr 7th 2009 7:00PM
I'm sorry, Engadget, nettop? I get where's you're going here- notebook:netbook::desktop:nettop, but it's kind of silly. To an unfamiliar soul, the "top" part could refer to either a laptop or a desktop. "net" here also doesn't refer to the top on which a nettop sits. "net" doesn't mean small, and I'll have to slap a kitten if you try using it again in this context.
How about a word that gives people some idea of what you're talking about without prior knowledge of the product itself. How about a "desktiny"?
Steve @ Apr 7th 2009 7:40PM
where in the world have you been? engadget didnt come up with that name, its fairly industry standard now
Chuckles McGee @ Apr 7th 2009 8:01PM
@Steve
If the name is now industry standard, why doesn't the press release from Acer call it that? It's just a "small PC" according to Acer.
Kwikit @ Apr 7th 2009 9:39PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nettop
Jayayess1190 @ Apr 7th 2009 6:06PM
When was Sim City 5 released?! Been waiting for that for a long time.
Jacob @ Apr 7th 2009 6:10PM
Simcity Societies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimCity_Societies
AVG @ Apr 7th 2009 6:06PM
All of these can fuck off until they cram in the dual-core Atom and stop being complete cheapskates. WHY are they still using single-core Atoms in these desktops? Especially ones powered by Ion?! Hell, the MSI barebones kit on NewEgg is something like $140.
GIVE ME CORES WITH MY ATOM!
chrise524 @ Apr 7th 2009 6:14PM
Dude it plays 1080p and COD4.... That should be more than enough power for you to flame all you want.
Ryan @ Apr 7th 2009 6:17PM
I just wish they would give me optical out for sound.
solipsist61 @ Apr 7th 2009 6:25PM
the original ION platform has optical....I think they cut optical and DVI off this one to keep it cheaper for the chinese. I'm sure the bare-bones and other ION based system will have it.
AVG @ Apr 7th 2009 11:39PM
Yes because all I want to do on a computer is watch 1080p video and play COD4. I can do that on a PS3.
Mitch @ Apr 8th 2009 12:51AM
Only difference between this and a PS3 is you won't have to sell your house to buy this.
Alright enough with that.......I agree a dual core Atom here would be nice and will happen in time.
Josh @ Apr 7th 2009 6:07PM
HOW MUCH??? HOW MUCH???!!!
I LIKE!!!
404 @ Apr 8th 2009 8:26AM
HotHardware think it's gonna go for around $299/~£200!
http://hothardware.com/News/First-NVIDIA-Ion-Win-Announced-Acer-AspireRevo/
Hell I hope so.
badweasel @ Apr 7th 2009 6:08PM
wonder if it'll support leopard...
Greenwald @ Apr 7th 2009 6:19PM
it should support OS x. Isn't ion essentially the same GPU power found in the new Macbooks and the new mini? Atom is already supported well
Totalfixation @ Apr 7th 2009 6:09PM
Too bad they couldn't add a slimline slot loaded Blu ray player. It would've been sweet.
comments4cheap @ Apr 7th 2009 6:26PM
True.
comments4cheap @ Apr 7th 2009 6:28PM
That and a blu ray burner would of made this like real hot to get.
Fanfoot @ Apr 7th 2009 10:35PM
Yeah, or maybe the extra cost that added would make it POINTLESS.
The only reason for this to exist at all is because it will be cheap. Really really cheap. And adequate.
You can already get a Dell Studio Hybrid with a DVD drive for $449. Adding a BD drive to the thing, let alone a burner, increases the price to $649. If you think a Nettop would sell for anywhere near $600, well you're crazy.
Jon Acheson @ Apr 8th 2009 10:37AM
While I love Blu-ray on my PS3, Blu-Ray on my new computer has been a complete bust. The software is so crippled by DRM it doesn't even work half the time.
End-runs around the DRM exist, but they either require you to buy a $100/yr software subscription to disable the DRM so that the software works, or download separate codes for each Blu-Ray so you can rip them.
As a result, I just don't use the Blu-ray drive I put in my PC.
modified @ Apr 8th 2009 7:13PM
It would be nice to have an IR port built in for use with remotes.
Steve @ Apr 7th 2009 6:09PM
Hmm... if this is cheap enough, i'm sure that the GF would love it!! Make a good Birthday present for her... and i get to have my computer back too!!
Corey @ Apr 7th 2009 7:00PM
Who's "i'm sure that the GF would love it!!.."? ZOMG ITS THE GODFATHER! HE LIVES!
darcyv @ Apr 7th 2009 6:11PM
XBMC
now that the linux build has VDPAU support, the AspireRevo using nvidia's ION platform should be perfect for hardware acceleration of 1080p content.
Russ @ Apr 7th 2009 11:43PM
EXACTLY. I figure I can shove these little suckers in rooms around the house (industrial velcro them if I need to) and use them as STB/XBMC Zones.
Anthony Thomas @ Apr 8th 2009 3:27PM
XBMC is the exact reason I'll be getting one of these. Absolutely perfect with the VDPAU branch of the project now seemingly working well.
It may be possible you can build a system that can do the VDPAU stuff for £200 but not so small, quiet and lightweight.
ION ftw!
solipsist61 @ Apr 7th 2009 6:13PM
where is the dual link DVI? And the dual core? Anything else missing from the full ION platform? This must be the entry system for the Chinese market.
Game_playa @ Apr 7th 2009 6:36PM
For In-Order CPUS Dual Core doesn't help much..
Derek @ Apr 7th 2009 11:07PM
For in-order CPUs, multicore is damn near crucial. OOE is a way of doing more with less. There's no such thing as doing less with more unless you count the Prescott P4s. I think those were a joke, personally.
StinkyPete @ Apr 7th 2009 6:14PM
It looks like it's packing an eSATA connection too. Why not mention it. :(
soobin27 @ Apr 7th 2009 6:24PM
I want this with a 46 inch 1080p LCD....
mmmmm
Phil @ Apr 7th 2009 6:14PM
I have to wonder why they don't just ditch the VGA port and go with HDMI/DVI?
Either way I wouldn't mind rockin one of these as a Media box on my TV.
ChamPro @ Apr 7th 2009 7:20PM
So yeah, it has HDMI. Picture 1.
Here's a better description of the ports:
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2009/04/acer_aspirerevo_based_on_nvidias_ion_platform_just_launched.html
I'm just missing out on the dual core Atom as well.
Dyranios @ Apr 7th 2009 6:15PM
nice heh kinda puts a Mac Mini to shame
Soulsaber @ Apr 7th 2009 7:24PM
No it doesn't...because there is no optical drive on this!!! I would gladly sacrifice a bit of thickness for one.
Michael Scrip @ Apr 7th 2009 6:20PM
I can understand the netBOOK... small, portable, light, cheap, great battery life.
What's the point of a netTOP? Will these be sold alongside traditional desktops?
giuliop @ Apr 7th 2009 6:26PM
All the answers you need are in the press release, if you care to read it.
Michael Scrip @ Apr 7th 2009 6:34PM
>> "All the answers you need are in the press release, if you care to read it."
"the system can handle a wide variety of computing needs including high definition video, gaming, sharing digital photos, surfing the web, and other tasks consumers expect from full-size systems."
Sounds like any other computer... except for the size and power consumption.
Gotcha.
Col. Readily Apparent Upon Cursory Inspection @ Apr 7th 2009 6:57PM
Yeah, I think it is really form factor that is the key. For me, when they are cheap enough and have Wifi built in I would love to hook one up into each TV in the house and network them all to a main desktop or media server. Then I could just stream everything i want to any TV, and do computer crap from any one of them in the house, and do it on the cheap (relatively). Or I could be way outta line by thinking this is remotely a good solution for what I want.