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Nvidia Still Showing Interest in Netbooks, Could be Just What the Market Needs

Posted 12/03/08 at 03:05:13 PM  by Paul Lilly

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It's hard to fathom anyone using a netbook as their primary PC. There's only so much you can do with an under-powered ultraportable ill-equipped to run Photoshop, let alone try to attempt any kind of gaming. But as a secondary unit, the pint-sized PCs have proven extremely popular. Is there potential for netbooks to be even more?

Nvidia this week reiterated interest in the mini-laptop market, however hesitant the company might be. Taking a wait-and-see approach, Marv Burkett, the company's chief financial officer, said "we're not saying we're not interested; it's a matter of how the market will evolve." Ironically enough, Nvidia jumping on board might be just the evolutionary step the netbook market needs.

As it stands, Intel's single-core Atom processor dominates the landscape, as does the company's lackluster integrated graphics. It's no stretch to think that should Nvidia dive in, graphics chores would get an immediate boost. But it's also worth remembering that Nvidia and VIA appear to be close, with reports earlier this year indicating Nvidia would supply graphics chipsets for VIA's Nano processor. Not only has Nano more than held its own along side Intel's Atom in benchmark runs, but VIA's already working on a dual-core variant for use in both netbooks and nettops. Intel also has a dual-core version of its Atom, but it's only for nettops.

In short, a collaboration between Nvidia and VIA could result a netbook with an efficient dual-core chip and maybe halfway decent graphics. That trumps any netbook available today, and could help justify spending upwards of $400-$500 some models have started to command.

Image Credit: Nvidia

COMMENTS:5
TAGS: graphics, mobile, nvidia, gpu, netbook
COMMENTS
avatarLol I fucking hate laptops

Submitted by s3th on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 9:42pm

Lol I fucking hate laptops

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avatarI want a netbook

Submitted by ghot on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 2:57pm

I want it to be able to surf the web (wireless) and have a decent internet wireless LAN speed  but NOT for 400-500 dollars...I want a 150 dollar version...to take in the "reading room"  :)

I dont see ANY point in this iteration 500 dollars for any comp that cant run at least a single player game.

I don't care one hoot if it runs photoshop or movie maker  etc....I want portable wireless web access and thats it....and I don't want it on my phone.  I want my cell phone to make phone calls and have voicemail...thats it....anything else is a waste.

I think in a few years the market will blend the two into a slightly larger cell phone that WOULD be useful for surfing but small and cheap enough for the masses.  Maybe call it reese's  :D(Two great tastes that go great together)

Currently cell phones are too small and net books too expensive.....when you mix the two...THEN I think you'll have a winner.  To be honest the thought of half the world driving down the road surfing on their phone...well...it's just stupid!  By the same token....a netbook that can ONLY surf shouldn't cost 400-500 dollars.

 

 

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avatarcell phones

Submitted by Driversniper108 on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 3:31pm

One reason I don't understand the mini netbook market is because cell phones have already beat them too it.

My Cingular 8125 I've had for a couple years now and it does everything a mini netbook does. It has internet, e-mail, decent connection speed, blue tooth, wifi and it even had mircosoft office and media player. It also had a touch screen and a microSD card slot and yes, it made phone calls.

I took that phone all over the world and it never failed me. Now i see all these mini's out and i think what's the point? I already have that in my phone. I just don't see the mini market lasting.

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avatarbottom line...

Submitted by Driversniper108 on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 2:56pm

I can't see Nvidia even taking a chance in the mini-netbook market. The whole concept behind a mini is to cut the fat and get down to the basics: wireless internet, long battery life, small/light enough to throw in a backpack and cheap. Better graphics just isn't what a customer is looking for in a mini. Nvidia will just sway customers to buy from a competitor because of the added price tag.

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avatarJust great...

Submitted by Number Six on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 1:14pm

A whole new markete of products NVIDIA can cause to fail due to sloppy manufacturing.

-Six

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