Battery life, Gaming, and Windows 7 on Next-generation ION

We have already heard NVIDIA talk about its new Optimus technology that will be used on notebooks and netbooks to increase battery life by seamlessly switching between an integrated GPU and a discrete GPU without the user ever having to think about the GPU or pressing a button.

Optimus technology is very important on netbooks that will use ION along with integrated graphics. ION will also allow the user to play 3D video games like Spore, WoW and Monkey Island at impressive detail when ION is operating and sip power when ION isn't needed.

The block diagram for next-generation ION varies between desktop and netbooks, mostly based on the need for Optimus in the netbook products. Check out the slides below for more detail on the differences.

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Above: NVIDIA ION block diagram for desktops

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Above: NVIDIA ION block diagram for netbooks.

The new ION platform has a significant architecture difference compared to the original ION platform. Check out the NVIDIA slide below for more details on how the architectures differ from the original ION to next-generation ION.

There are other benefits with the new ION platform other than increased battery life thanks to Optimus. NVIDIA reports that the next-generation ION platform offers seven times faster video conversion than the previous ION platform and four times faster video enhancement than the previous platform.

The new ION platform also allows netbooks to take advantage of all the features integrated into Windows 7 Home Premium like the Aero 3D interface, Windows Media Center, HD video codecs and personalization options, whereas machines that can only run Windows 7 Starter will have fewer of those features available.