Netbook Review UK

Nvidia's new low cost Ion LE platform

Nvidia has added the new ‘entry-level’ Ion LE platform to the existing Ion platform we’ve already seen on a few netbooks and nettops.  The new Ion LE is  intended for entry-level netbooks and nettops and will cost less to manufacturers than the full blow Nvidia Ion solution.      The main difference between the new Ion LE and the higher cost Ion chipset  is that the LE does not have  DirectX 10 support. Also, the new Ion LE is specifically aimed at Windows XP on netbooks and nettops.

“ION LE is SKU of the ION GPU that is identical to ION, except it only supports DX9. This product  is designed specifically for Windows XP on Netbooks and Nettops and we are going to offer LE SKU just for OEM market” Igor Stanek, product PR manager, NVIDIA EMEA Ion/Notebook products

We don’t know of the exact details yet, but word on the street is that the Ion LE may no support Windows 7  since it doesn’t do DirectX 10.  Others say that Windows 7 should be no problem, but that it just won’t do Direct X 10.  We also don’t konw if it performs any less though, but we’ve been assured that it will still output 1080p video.  We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see Ion LE in action, there are no exact release dates yet.

Currently adding Nvidia Ion to a netbook adds about  $50 (~30GBP) to its purchase price.  Nvidia have not released pricing details for the Ion LE but it will be less than the regular Ion chipset, which means lower cost netbooks and nettops for us.