Ion-based Linux nettop soars in review

[Caleb_IX]

Ion-based Linux nettop soars in review

"Test results

According to a "first-look" review of the Ion Breeze 3770 by Phoronix, which benchmarked Nvidia's Ion graphics vs. a system running the standard Intel 82945GC northbridge and 82801GB (ICH7) southbridge, the Ion chipset rules. Based on its well-known Phoronix Test Suite, the benchmarks showed that the Ion performed "dramatically better than the Intel 945 graphics found on most netbooks, nettops, and other Intel Atom devices," according to the review. The ZaReason system was matched up against a Jetway NC92 motherboard that similarly ran Ubuntu Linux on an 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230, but instead used the standard Intel 945 chipset.

Video playback was said to be "substantially better," enabling smooth 1080p H.264 playback, says the review. The Ion always outplayed the Intel chipset on gaming tests, "and in some times it was many times faster," said the review. Phoronix concluded that the only advantage to Intel's chipset was its open source driver support compared to Nvidia's proprietary-only drivers. While the first installment focused only on benchmarks, a complete review of the Ion Breeze 3770 is promised in the future"

[dragonbite]

Looks pretty cool. It says only 22 watts consumption, what is a current standard Intel-based nettop's consumption?

It has HDMI, they should offer Mythbuntu or some other media-based distribution.