Viewsonic VOT130 and ION-based VOT132 nettops handled in the open

Not long after we first heard about Viewsonic's latest VOT130 and VOT132 nettops, the gang at Netbook News have gotten some hands-on time with the hardware. On the surface, it looks pretty sleek, and the abundance of USB ports is a definite plus, as is the HDMI port on the NVIDIA ION-based VOT132, but unfortunately we're lacking any performance demonstrations or impressions. As we saw previously, the slot-loading optical drive attachment is essentially the same form factor and attaches flush with the unit thanks to some aptly placed magnets, and the bundled stand is designed for the computer with or without the peripheral. So what's not to love? Well, the price for one -- the ION-packed VOT132 costs a hefty $514 US in Taiwan, with the VOT130 priced at a more reasonable $331 -- but perhaps that'll be brought down if / when it ever makes an official stateside debut. Video hands-on after the break.

[MarcusMaximus Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:15PM]

WTF is going on in that video in the background?!?!?!!

[CaptainReynolds Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:19PM]

now stick this in a netbook, and we have a winner.

[Fanfoot Posted Jul 28th 2009 8:22PM]

I assume this is a good indication of the price delta from a netbook without Ion to one with Ion, and that's $183 more. So a $300 netbook will be $489, and a 400 netbook will be $589. I'm thinking that price delta is too high for mass consumption on a crappy little machine you can just barely live with, and only tolerate because of the price.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 10:09PM]

Except you'd be wrong, as one system has a single core CPU and the other has a dual core CPU, so part of the price comes down to the CPU as well, not just the ION chipset.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:25PM]

Best Nettop yet. Some other colours would be cool.

[MarcusMaximus Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:31PM]

Ya, all looks nice except... why do they have to have that HUGE logo plastered on the side?!?!?! It would look so much better if it were just a simple small white box(ala the Wii)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:29PM]

i like alot

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:33PM]

nicely ligned out usb ports on the combination optical and vt... ;-)

[tmarks11 Posted Jul 28th 2009 9:14PM]

yeah, they kind of missed the design boat there.... so close...

they should have made it so the nettop had a usb port on teh side that the dvd drive would automatically mate with when you shoved them together.

doesn't matter; still on my shopping list (without the dvd).

[Teslanaut Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:35PM]

But can it play Crys- OH DEAR GOD I'M SORRY! OK OK, MEME WILL DIE.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:51PM]

But will it blend?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:52PM]

But will it blend?

[gyros Posted Jul 28th 2009 6:45PM]

sounds nice, but which version of hdmi port has it?

[OriginalJosh Posted Jul 28th 2009 10:16PM]

does the hdmi have sound too?

[Arthrog Posted Jul 28th 2009 7:05PM]

ion is going to flop

[TheCow5 Posted Jul 28th 2009 8:08PM]

because I always want everything this is missing onely one thing, that being an opticle S/PDIF Opticle audio out.
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I also believe AMD should be in this nettop market, they have the CPU and the Graphic Card.
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does anyone know what that video/game was in the background?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 10:13PM]

the 3.5mm line out jack doubles up as S/PDIF out and the Mic doubles up as S/PDIF in...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 8:12PM]

price=FAIL!!!

[SiXiam Posted Jul 28th 2009 8:20PM]

Sort of looks like the Wii...

[hiro256 Posted Jul 28th 2009 8:40PM]

I wish it was the wii

[GreenElf Posted Jul 28th 2009 9:15PM]

Definitely Wii-ish.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 9:43PM]

I need one of these in my life!!

[virxes Posted Jul 29th 2009 4:45PM]

That is the Hotness!! I want the VOT132.

[Quixote Posted Jul 30th 2009 12:21AM]

The VOT132 does indeed seem VERY interesting!
A pity though that they didn't go for a small SSD instead of the HDD.
Doesn't it come with eSATA anyway, so that those users that wish to expand on a small SSD could easily add high-speed external storage?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 10:02AM]

This would make for a pretty swank little X11 server…