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Putting a Little ION in Your Diet

If you've used an Intel based netbook for any length of time, you'll agree that it's great for web browsing and light productivity work. But when it comes down to more graphically intensive tasks like video streaming and HD content decoding, the experience literally stutters and falls flat.

In a day and age where HD content is nearly ubiquitous, not being able to see this rich media can be frustrating especially if there is no low-resolution alternative. NVIDIA's ION chipset aims to solve this problem by giving Intel Atom CPUs a better platform in which to perform. In the end, consumers get the same advantages of a netbook, but with the added bonus of HD handling capabilities.

Today we are examining the Asus Eee 1201N netbook. It's a category-bending product that uses an Intel Atom 330 dual-core CPU in a 12.1" form factor, and uses NVIDIA's ION to deliver a better user experience. It looks and feels more like notebook than a netbook, but does this blending of categories result in a harmonious product, or is the Eee 1201N more an odd mutation of technology?

Specifications

The Eee 1201N is a bit different from your typical netbook. It comes outfitted with 2GB of RAM on two DIMMs (most netbooks only have 1 DIMM and 1GB), a 12" screen, and of course dedicated ION graphics. Also worth pointing out is the HDMI port which gives you full HD output, which is something even the latest Broadcom Crystal HD netbooks lack.

Included in the box is a Windows 7 restoration DVD (a optical drive is required, and purchased separately), instruction booklets, and the power adapter.

Left: Dell Mini 10v adapter on top, Asus Eee 1201N adapter on bottom.

The power plug for the Asus Eee 1201N uses a standard 2-prong connection, which makes it much easier to position and use in a variety of situations. In comparison, the adapter for the Dell Mini 10v is a brick which is hard to place in most circumstances.

Next Page - Physical Design

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