[bdardashti]

I'm interested in getting a netbook; just generally to view PDFs, sometimes type out notes (using it for school). I know for what I'm dong, I don't need the performance, but any ideas/educated guesses on when Dell might release a Mini with ION? HP has a pretty good one, but for a few things I do, I need to install OS X on it, and generally Dell's been better for hackintoshing, so I'd rather wait a bit.

What does everyone think? Thanks!

[smug sapien]

The GMA cards will render PDFs with no problem.
Heck -- the GMA cards can view Xvid and Divx movies with no problems (just as a point of reference). I haven't gotten them to play full blown .VOB and Blue Ray without choking.....but they come close. Besides the obvious gaming benefits, I think that's where the ION would come in handy.


I'm actually curious about this myself. A 9"/10" Dell netbook with a serious GPU would be sweet. I wonder if they will ever do this.......or will they do the same as the others so far, and build big 11"-12" Models? The ones I've seen (like that HP mini 311) seem more like notebooks than netbooks.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by smug sapien

The GMA cards will render PDFs with no problem.
Heck -- the GMA cards can view Xvid and Divx movies with no problems (just as a point of reference). I haven't gotten them to play full blown .VOB and Blue Ray without choking.....but they come close. Besides the obvious gaming benefits, I think that's where the ION would come in handy.


I'm actually curious about this myself. A 9"/10" Dell netbook with a serious GPU would be sweet. I wonder if they will ever do this.......or will they do the same as the others so far, and build big 11"-12" Models? The ones I've seen (like that HP mini 311) seem more like notebooks than netbooks.

I understand I don't need the ION for what I'm doing, but I would be potentially interested in using this computer during travel as well, being able to watch some HD content on it would be nice. And I'd like it to be more future proof if possible.

Like you, the main problem I have with the HP is the size. At 12-inches, I'd much keep my 13-inch MBP or go for a refurbished MacBook Air. I don't mind the increase in price; I just want the most portability/performance balance, favoring the portable side.

[holmes4]

Future Intel processors will supposedly have better graphics. ION isn't the only game.

[danmanx]

I seriously doubt ION will make an appearance in many future netbooks. (They'll raise the price of them I'm sure if they do). It's harder to sell mid to high range devices when a low range devices do the equivalent at 1/2 the cost.

[T-Keith]

The HP 311 has Ion with an 11.x" screen and is only $399. The 11z is similar but has much poorer graphics performance and a slightly better processor, but costs more.

[Xiphias]

Ion is useless unless you plan to game or do video encoding. And if you plan to game or encode video on a netbook...well, good luck with that.

Point of reference: Ion is much more powerful than the Intel X4500 integrated graphics found in full-fledged notebooks and Dell's Mini 11z. The X4500 can handle 1080P bluray easy. Consider also that Intel's integrated consumes less power than Ion.

Therefore, there is no point in stepping up to Ion (which increases cost and decreases battery life) unless you plan to seriously game...like Call of Duty MW.

And if you do plan to answer the Call of Duty on a netbook, consider that it is, in fact, a netbook.

[PDR60]

Originally Posted by smug sapien

The GMA cards will render PDFs with no problem.
Heck -- the GMA cards can view Xvid and Divx movies with no problems (just as a point of reference). I haven't gotten them to play full blown .VOB and Blue Ray without choking.....but they come close. Besides the obvious gaming benefits, I think that's where the ION would come in handy.


I'm actually curious about this myself. A 9"/10" Dell netbook with a serious GPU would be sweet. I wonder if they will ever do this.......or will they do the same as the others so far, and build big 11"-12" Models? The ones I've seen (like that HP mini 311) seem more like notebooks than netbooks.

Ditto that. If I wanted another dell notebook I'd buy one. I think the "performance" mini market isn't where Dell wants to be. I would certainly jump in and buy a replacement for my mini 9 if they had an ion offering in a 9 or 10. I use my mini 9 for just about everything except some really heavy lifting. I've installed an entire Cisco network (bunch of 3800,7600, 6509 and 2900) from my mini. Its a great little machine for tech support. I would like to do some casual gaming once in awhile while on the road though. With the ion its completely possible. I'll even pay the premium for the extra video horsepower.
Since my other laptop is a e1705 ( or an ancient c600) I'll stick with my new travel buddy. Until something better arrives on the market

[erikistired]

can you hackintosh the ion chipset? if you want to run os x i'd pick up a 10v.

[danmanx]

Hey guys, I know this is kinda not the topic, but I did just purchase a nettop box called the Acer Aspire Revo.

It has a ION chipset.
Wow.
It is extremely impressive for a $200 device!

I am really hoping Dell decides to put one of these in. To explain it this way, imagine newer 3D games or HD fully playable on a netbook. 10.1 flash rules!