Lenovo IdeaPad S12 launches with NVIDIA Ion Chipset

Lenovo officially launches the Ideapad S12 a 12 inch netbook that manages to offer a little more than the standard netbook specs (it's certainly more exciting than the S10-2). The NVIDIA Ion platform combines an Intel Atom processor with an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor which will bring much better graphical performance than the standard integrated graphics option from Intel. Of course with the good you also get the bad - the option with the Ion chipset will be slightly more expensive and the increased graphics performance will also result in a weaker battery. So all you need to decide is whether you want to play Unreal Tournament or Solitare.

Here are the rest of the specs:

* OS: Windows XP
* Display: 12.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixels
* CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
* Graphics: Intel GMA 950 or NVIDIA ION
* RAM: 1GB
* Storage: 160GB, 250Gb, or 320GB HDD
* Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi options, Bluetooth, Ethernet
* I/O: Expresscard slot, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, HDMI
* Battery: 3 or 6 cell batteries for 3 to 6 hours of battery life
* Weight: 3.1 to 3.4 pounds depending on battery
* Dimensions: 11.5″ x 8.5″ x 1.1″
* Price: $449 with integrated graphics, $499 with NVIDIA ION

The Lenovo IdeaPad S12 will begin shipping in July. I suspect a lot of users that haven't looked at netbooks because of the low graphics performance will be eagerly awaiting the IdeaPad S12's release.

We'll have more on this as it develops.

via Liliputing