4 ION-Powered Netbooks Rated and Compared with One Another
Netbooks are essentially small computers with a low power Atom processor. While they can handle your basic computer needs, they are practically useless for gaming or HD playback. But that was before NVIDIA launched its ION platform for netbooks.
The NIVIDIA ION platform integrates a low power Atom processor and NVIDIA’s GeForce 9400 graphics. The ION platform has been in use in desktop computers for a while. But the HP Mini 311 was the first ION-powered netbook to hit the market. ION-powered netbooks are capable of handling some modern games and HD video playback.
4 ION-powered netbooks are currently available in the market: The HP Mini 311, Lenovo IdeaPad S12, Asus Eee PC 1201N, and Samsung N510. While the Mini 311, Samsung N510 and IdeaPad S12 have single core Atom processors, the Eee PC 1201N is different. It has a dual core Atom 330 processor. Does that make this machine better than other ION-powered netbooks? Well, Laptop Magazine has compared and rated all the four machines with one another and here is what they discovered.
The award for the best ergonomic design goes to HP Mini 311. The IdeaPad S12 has the best keyboard. None of the four machines offer particularly impressive battery life. While the HP Mini 311 and IdeaPad S12 give around 5 hours of up time, the Eee PC 1201N and Samsung N510 offer less than 4 hours.
In graphics benchmarks tests all the machines deliver similar performance, but when it comes to handling CPU-intensive tasks the Eee PC 1201N has an edge over other machines, thanks in no small measures to its dual core processor. So which netbook wins the crown? Well, the winner is Eee PC 1201N. It is snappy and has enough power to handle most modern games. The HP Mini 311 performs just as well in graphics and video transcoding tests. It also gets better battery life.
The verdct: Buy the Eee PC 1201N if you need a fast gaming worthy netbook. Buy the HP Mini 311 for a good mix of endurance and graphics power.
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