NVIDIA ION gets Certified for Vista

by: John - posted: 2/13/2009 7:45:00 AM

NVIDIA announced that Microsoft has validated the NVIDIA ION with certified drivers for Windows Home Premium. That means ION computers can run 1080p HD content, utilize DirectX 10, support for Vista specific features such as Aero, and offer GPU acceleration for photo and video transcoding. Seeing the platform upclose at CES 2009, I can say I saw all of these working off of a prototype. Seeing as it's certified for Windows Vista, one can assume that Windows 7 won't be an issue on these devices as well.

NVIDIA COLLABORATES WITH MICROSOFT TO MAKE PREMIUM, LOW-COST PCS A REALITY
Microsoft Certifies NVIDIA ION to Deliver a Premium Windows Experience on PCs Starting as Low as $299

SANTA CLARA, CA—FEBRUARY 11, 2009—In an effort to deliver an outstanding computing experience on small, low power PCs, NVIDIA announced today that NVIDIA® ION™ has been Certified for Windows Vista. With NVIDIA ION and premium versions of Microsoft Windows, small form factor notebook and desktop PCs will have rich media capabilities and full graphics support for the first time.

Microsoft Corp. has validated NVIDIA ION with certified Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) drivers for Windows Vista Home Premium. NVIDIA is working with Microsoft, PC manufacturers, software developers, and Windows eco-system partners to bring ION-based PCs to market by summer of 2009. ION-based mini-notebooks and compact desktop PCs will have industry-leading performance at price points as low as $299.

Mike Ybarra, general manager for the Windows division at Microsoft, states: “Customers have told us they expect a full Windows experience across a variety of PC designs. What many people call a ‘netbook’ today is really a small notebook, and users expect it to perform like one. With NVIDIA’s ION platform combined with Windows Vista Home Premium, consumers can get an affordable, premium Windows experience in a small notebook or desktop form factor. From browsing the web and checking email to streaming music or watching movies, it’s an excellent solution for everyday computing.”

Microsoft has certified the NVIDIA ION platform to ensure that upcoming ION-based PCs will deliver:
• Silky smooth 1080p high definition video including Blu-ray movies
• Exciting video game play with support for Microsoft’s DirectX 10 API
• Support for premium Windows Vista features including Aero Glass and Flip3D
• GPU acceleration for faster photo editing and video transcoding

Microsoft’s WHQL certification for Windows Vista Home Premium validates the NVIDIA ION platform as customer-ready.

“NVIDIA ION and Windows are a perfect match,” said Drew Henry, general manager of the MCP business unit at NVIDIA. “It is great to have Microsoft work with us to drive Windows with ION into these new low-priced notebooks and really small desktop PCs, which previously wasn’t possible with other solutions. This is a big win for consumers!”