Netbooks, ION 2 and Optimus

If we’re to believe the hype, 2010 is a year packed with dramatic new gaming and media technologies. Much of this is attributed to the iPad, 3D TVs and new motion controllers. In reality, only a portion of the overall market will have access to these technologies in 2010.

Which is good, because it lets those with money to burn pay for the continued market testing of ‘touch tablets’, while those with even more money to burn check just how long people can look at a 3D screen without feeling sick.

These technologies will arrive at more reasonable prices when any problems have been ironed-out. Until then it’s likely the $499/ £429 required just to get started with an iPad could be equally well spent on other options.

Obvious alternatives include a PS3, Move and some software. This offers the best of the present console selection for teenagers and adults, because you’ll get plenty of motion sensing software on an excellent console. Not exactly new technology, but technology that’s ‘good to go’.

A PC upgrade is another option where cash won’t go to waste, because the combination of  fast multi-core processing, speedy graphics and games is almost as complete as that available to PS3 gamers. For example, speedy AMD and Intel processors have come down in price, while AMD’s HD5770, (and similar graphics cards), now cost roughly $150/ £100. In addition, most of the last year’s top games are available for PCs.

Either of these purchases is easily within range of the costs involved in running an iPad. They are, however, pretty much ‘more of the same’, which is why it’s maybe worth considering a form factor that’s starting to deliver a good combination of portability and reasonable performance.

The first wave of netbooks failed to impress. Feeble processors were barely capable of multi-tasking, the graphics ruled out almost all modern games and prices were high for what was on offer.

The first of a second wave of netbooks is soon to arrive. A quick look at what’s on offer suggests that these devices are both highly portable and capable of enough multi-tasking to replace many of the premium ultra-portables sold for $1000+ in recent years.

That’s not to say you’ll find a blisteringly fast processor or full-on gaming graphics built in. More a case of being able to complete most standard tasks, (ranging from surfing to basic content creation), without everything grinding to a halt.

With a weight of roughly 3lbs/ 1.4kg, the Asus EEE PC 1215N is the ION 2 model expected to reach the market first. It packs in a dual-core Intel Atom N525 setup, Nvidia’s ION 2 graphics, an HDMI port, a VGA port, a 320Gb hard disc, 2-4Gb of DDR3 RAM, a glossy 12.1 inch (1366 x 768 px) display and WiFI connectivity. Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity is going to be an optional extra.

The ION 2 graphics work alongside Optimus technology to seamlessly switch the graphics to a basic Intel GMA 3150 mode when ION 2 isn’t needed. This is an important consideration, as battery life is, inevitably, highly dependent on your choice of tasks. Running full-blown 1080p video will tear through the battery in less than three hours, while general surfing is likely to extend battery life towards 5 hours.

Unlike earlier netbooks, these new machines are able to run some worthwhile games, (such as Sims 3 and World of Warcraft), at playable speeds.

The (recommended) silver version of the 1215N is on pre-order at $499, but there are several manufacturers working on comparable machines and there may be as many as 40 variations on the same theme by Christmas 2010. Dell’s M101z already offers an example of a similar approach. It uses AMD’s Neo technology and is currently available. The first of these netbooks to hit the $499 price  mark with 4Gb of RAM as standard is going to offer an attractive alternative to larger or more expensive portable options by January.