While the IdeaPad S12 from Lenovo is available already with an Intel Atom processor in the US and Europe, with the US also able to purchase the netbook with a VIA Nano processor, we’ve yet to see the NVIDIA ION powered model. It was touted to be the first netbook using NVIDIA ION, but Samsung could possibly release the N510, which also uses NVIDIA ION, before Lenovo do, as we’ve already seen photos of the netbook next to the NC10.

The delay in release is because instead of shipping with Windows Vista, the company are holding off until Windows 7 is released and will ship with that sometime in October. Samsung will also be doing the same with the N510, so it really will be a race then, to see who can get their NVIDIA ION netbook out first. When it is released, it will retail for $550, making it only $50 than the Intel Atom model.

via

While the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 was originally launched with Intel’s Atom processor and NVIDIA’s Ion chipset, it is also available with a Via Nano option now through Lenovo’s own web site. The new combination of Via’s Nano ULV 2250 processor and VIA Chrome9 HC3 graphics makes the overall price go down by $50 to $450 USD, and offers extra speed compared to Intel’s Atom chip in exchange for a little bit of reduction in battery life. If you’d rather have performance than endurance, you might want to look at this deal.

Lenovo via Engadget

Lenovo has just announced a proper 12-inch netbook that ups the ante with just a little bit of innovation. This is the Lenovo IdeaPad S12, priced rather attractively starting at $449. It comes with typical netbook specs, including a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, LED-backlit 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution display, full-size keyboard, options for a 160GB, 250GB or 320GB hard drive, built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3 USB ports, Ethernet Jack and VGA/HDMI out. It is the very first netbook to utilize NVIDIA’s Ion chipset, also found on the Acer Aspire Revo nettop, which should enable it to handle 1080p video just fine. It will be available for purchase starting next month with Windows XP preloaded, but I’m sure it won’t be hard for you to install Windows 7 or any other OS on it if you so choose. Check out a gallery of the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 after the break.
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