You didn't think ASUS would let Acer be the only one
with a next-generation Ion netbook, did you? While wandering around ASUS's CeBIT booth we couldn't help but notice some new Ion 2 systems, including the 12.1-inch Eee PC 1201PN. With an identical chassis to the
1201N that we reviewed a few months back, the 1201PN swaps out the Diamondville Atom for a new Pine Trail N450 processor and a discrete NVIDIA GPU. We couldn't figure out much more from the system properties, but the neighboring sign confirmed that Ion 2 would use
NVIDIA's Optimus to switch between the discrete and integrated GPU. Around the corner we also stumbled into that
Eee Top 2010PNT we heard about awhile back, and just as rumored it packs a dual-core Atom D510 processor along its "next generation Ion." Really more than anything we're looking forward to testing the HD performance and battery life of these new Ion systems, but until then we'll be stuck watching the video below of the 1201PN playing a 720p promo clip.
posted March 1st 2010 4:46PM
This is exactly what I've been waiting for...
Indeed. Depending on the battery life, I might get one of these to replace my 1005HA.
@CtrlBurn I used my friends 12" for about a week before switching back to my 1005HA. The Ion graphics would be nice but for me the whole appeal of the netbook is the size, and 10" screen is the sweetspot.
I know manufacturers don't think it's worth putting in a dedicated GPU unless the screen is 720+ but they're wrong.
@Kerensky97 Personally I need something bigger than that. 12 inches is the sweet spot for me. What we need is a computer company that is truly BTO. No pre configs. Let's tell you what we want, then build it for us, or let us provide the parts, then build it for us.
@konceptzoflife The Asus 1201PN has a 12.1 1366 x 768 pixel (720p HD) display, with 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive. It features a 6-cell 63Whr battery, no battery life times have been provided, but we are hopeful of the new Ion 2 + Optimus technology
More: http://bit.ly/asus-eee-1201PN-2010PNT
@Kerensky97, @Firehazel
"I used my friends 12" for about a week before switching back to my..."
"Personally I need something bigger than that. 12 inches is the sweet spot for me."
Is it only me who think this is hilarious?!
Really nice, although I wish they wouldn't use that rocker bar. On the 1201n its way too stiff and I don't having to press the button that far on the side for right or left click. With two separate buttons the most convenient place to click is close to the inside. Either way I am excited for the ion 2 systems.
Still running XP...
I'd hope so. With the silly restrictions, they'd have to go with Win 7 Starter Edition, which would be turrrible.
@CtrlBurn that's why you upgrade to Win7 HP
@retro77
@CtrlBurn: It would also be terrible if people could spell.
Okay now put that inside the Eee PC 1018P body and I just might have found a new girlfriend.
@statelypenguin agreed.
Well, I'm looking for a new netbook in the very near future (as in, by this weekend) because I have a major trip coming up and I need a light, portable computer under 350$. I waited as long as possible just in case anything amazing was released, but seeing as not much has changed... does anyone have any recommendations for a new netbook? Just something that can look up train schedules, use word, web browsing, and maybe some video? I prefer Asus.
Thanks for any advice :D
@Special Agent Steve There's a lot to like from ASUS and Samsung. My Samsung nc10 has handled close to everything I've thrown at it and i'm a medium to advanced user.
@Special Agent Steve
Get a cheap netbook with GMA500 (specifically) as it's being supported in Win7 AND by Flash 10.1, whereas 945/950 and some other intel variants are not.
@Shidell
Ah, I'd love to Shidell, but they start ~450$. I think, however, that I can live without Flash 10.1 (as awesome as it is) in order to save the money. What other integrated graphics would you recommend under the 350$ price range?
Thanks
I'm glad I picked up the 1201N--Atom 330 w/ Ion 1 & Win7 Home Premium.
I'm concerned with size and power, not necessarily battery life, so this was ideal for me. Atom 330 is significantly stronger than the standard Atom 1.6 or Pine Trails' 1.83 single core options, thanks to it's 2-core 1.6 CPU (4 logical cores, thanks to Hyperthreading.)
If you need a netbook for HD video, light gaming, and work, I highly recommend the 1201N. If you need battery life, however, consider something else--my 1201N gets about 3 hours on wireless-N.
Once again, all this walking around the ASUS booth, but no word on a new gaming laptop?
Really hoping something nice shows up at cebit as I'm contemplating the Envy 15.
FYI, ION is integrated gfx, not discrete. It just doesn't suck as bad.
Is the 2010PNT a net-top or a netbook? I'm looking for the replacement for the 1201N (their 12.1" netbook w/ the N330 dual core Atom).
That is one sexy netbook. Add to that it can bust out some 1080p with some nice battery life. I'm sold. I won't buy it.
I'd call if more of a middle device than the ipad. (I'm calling on the chiclet black keys to silver backing like the macbook pro)
The ION 2 (dedicated GPU) uses around 5W when IDLE, so I wouldn't be expecting any significant difference in battery life if any at all comparing with the first ION
This GPU is also being strangled by a PCI-E 1x bus, and guess we shouldn't count on DDR3 memory for it like on the HP Mini 311... maybe I'm being pessimistic but this seems like just a way of having the ION survive to the new Atom generation.
This will be mine...
So, what's more important ????
A dual core ATOM
or
A dedicated ION graphic chip