Lenovo S12 é o primeiro netbook com Nvidia Ion

Com o IdeaPad S12, a Lenovo é a primeira
fabricante a lançar um netbook baseada na plataforma Nvidia Ion, e esse
parece ser um início bem promissor: o portátil de 12 polegadas promete experiência razoável com games e alta definição por cerca de US$ 500.

Primeiro, um lembrete: o Ion é basicamente o processador Intel Atom
combinado com a solução gráfica Nvidia 9400M. O desempenho não é
exatamente surpreendente, mas, no contexto dos atuais netbooks com
Atom, ele se destaca – oferece decodificação de vídeo 1080p, incluindo
reprodução de H.264, reprodução de Blu-ray e capacidade moderada para
rodar jogos.

Apesar de não ser tecnicamente o primeiro produto baseado no Ion – a
honra é do nettop Acer Revo -, esse é o primeiro netbook, e é
exatamente o que já esperávamos: um netbook de 12 polegadas com uma
inclinação multimídia. É uma sequência dos netbooks IdeaPad S9 e S10 e,
exceto pelo Ion – uma opção de US$ 50, infelizmente -, não é muito
diferente de seus colegas menores.

A resolução da tela é de 1.280 x 800, ou seja, ela não mostra toda a
definição de um vídeo em 1080p, mas isso pode ser visto em uma tela
externa ligada pela saída HDMI do aparelho. De qualquer maneira, a
diferença entre vídeo em 720p e 1080p em uma área tão pequena seria
dificilmente percebida.

As especificações incluem 1 GB de RAM, 160 GB de HD, leitor de
cartões 4-em-1, bateria de três células (com opção para de seis) e slot
ExpressCard. O sistema operacional é o Windows XP. Os preços partem de
US$ 449, e o S12 começa a ser vendido em julho. O Ion, porém, ainda não
tem data definida para ser disponibilizado – o release diz apenas “mais
tarde, neste verão” – e aumentará o preço do netbook em US$ 50.
Especificações e release abaixo. [Lenovo]

    IdeaPad S12 Netbook

    Display: 12.1 WXGA (1280 X 800) LED 200 nit, 250g
    Processor: Intel Atom N270
    Graphics: Intel integrated GMA 950, Nvidia ION
    Memory: Up to 1GB DDR2 533 MHz
    Hard Drive: Up to 160 GB SATA (160, 250, 320)
    Battery Life: 3 hours with 3-cell, 6 hours with 6-cell
    Weight: 1.4kg with 3 cell, 1.55kg with 6 cell
    Dimensions: 292 X 216 X 22-28.9mm
    Connectivity: 10/100m Ethernet, Broadcom 578M, Intel WiFi Link 5150
1X2 AGN, Intel WiFi Link 5100 1X2 AGN, Non-Intel wireless b/g,
Non-Intel wireless b/g/n, Bluetooth
    Other: 3 USB, 1 Expresscard slot (Intel and VIA platforms), 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, RJA45, HDMI
    Software: XP Home SP3 (32 bit)

    Lenovo Energizes Mini-Computing with its First 12-Inch Netbook
    Debuts World’s First Netbook with NVIDIA’s ION Graphics Processor

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC ? May 25, 2009: Lenovo today
announced the IdeaPad S12, the company’s first 12-inch netbook. The new
netbook takes the best in connectivity, style and entertainment
features in Lenovo’s other netbooks and brings users the next level in
netbook computing with improved usability and performance. These
enhancements include a 12.1-inch screen, a 100 percent full-size
keyboard and new graphics options with the NVIDIA ION? platform.

    “We’ve heard from consumers loud and clear about the need for
affordable and extremely portable computing devices, and we’ve
responded by introducing our third netbook with a completely new form
factor, making mini-computing more usable and redefining value in
today’s market,” said Dion Weisler, vice president, Business
Operations, Idea Product Group, Lenovo. “We are pioneering new
territory in the developing netbook arena by being the first vendor to
give customers high quality video and entertainment capabilities in a
netbook with optional NVIDIA ION graphics.”

    Elevating Power and Performance
    Whether it’s looking at photos, playing music, emailing or cruising
online, consumers want smaller and more portable PCs. The Lenovo
IdeaPad S12 netbook is raising the bar for higher levels of netbook
computing with choices of the Intel Atom processor with Intel
integrated graphics or the Intel Atom processor with NVIDIA ION
graphics. Also, for the first time on a netbook with NVIDIA’s ION
graphics platform, users will be able to enjoy brilliant 1080p high
definition video with silky smooth playback.
    “NVIDIA ION graphics help deliver the same features found in
premium PCs at lower price points and new form factors,” said Rene
Haas, general manager, Notebook GPUs, NVIDIA. “With enhanced graphics,
the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 netbook is perfect for watching movies, playing
popular games like Spore, flipping through vacation pictures or
enhancing family videos.”

    The IdeaPad S12 netbook offers plenty of up and running time
with up to six hours of battery life to support the mobile demands of
netbook users1. Because netbook users need to stay connected
wirelessly, the netbook comes with WiFi connectivity and ready for 3G
with an ExpressCard slot to enable connectivity2. To hold the photos,
music and videos users keep on their netbooks, the IdeaPad S12 netbook
offers ample hard drive storage and memory with up to 160 GB of storage
and 1 GB of memory. For peace of mind in case data becomes corrupted,
Lenovo’s OneKey? Rescue System can help recover user data or device
settings.

    Loaded with Style and Entertainment
    In addition to the netbook’s sleek and sophisticated ring pattern
design in black or white, users can make the netbook their one-stop
entertainment device, starting from the moment they turn it on.
Lenovo’s expanded VeriFace facial recognition technology makes logging
in a snap by recognizing the user’s face. If users want “on demand”
functionality, they can go into the Lenovo Quick Start environment and
check email, browse the Internet and more without waiting for the full
operating system to boot. They can also don any set of headphones and
enjoy surround sound audio with Dolby Headphone technology. If opting
to watch video on an external monitor, they can easily connect through
the netbook’s VGA port or HDMI port on select models. They can also
choose among several multimedia formats to upload through the 4-in-1
multicard reader.

    An Improved Computing Experience
    Lenovo designed the IdeaPad S12 netbook for consumers looking for a
super thin, portable and affordable device that offered a familiar,
computing experience. Lenovo enlarged the netbook’s WXGA screen from
10.1 inches to 12.1 inches for better viewing and made the keyboard 100
percent the size of a full-size laptop to make typing easier and less
cramped. And when it comes to portability, by measuring less than an
inch thick4, the netbook leads the industry for thinness compared to
other 12-inch netbooks. The lightweight IdeaPad S12 netbook weighs in
at just three pounds5.

    Pricing and Availability6
    The IdeaPad S12 netbook will be available in June through business
partners and HYPERLINK “http://www.lenovo.com” www.lenovo.com. Pricing
for models starts at $449. Models with the NVIDIA ION graphics will be
available later this summer.

    About Lenovo
    Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building
exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is
built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo
Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the
company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality,
secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide.
Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai
and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information
see HYPERLINK “http://www.lenovo.com” www.lenovo.com.

    1With a 6-cell battery.

    2WWAN Service Providers: Requires separate agreement with select
third party service provider, and is subject to credit approval and
applicable service agreement/terms, rate plan and coverage maps of the
provider. Service is available in select metropolitan markets, not
available in all areas. Service provider, not Lenovo, is solely
responsible for service. Lenovo customers may be contacted after
purchase to activate service. Special credit and tenure restrictions
and additional charges may apply to international roaming. A network
connection, third-party software, additional hardware, and/or
subscription to a third-party service may be required for certain
solutions/applications. Additional restrictions apply.

    4Based on measurement at the thinnest point, compared to existing 12-inch netbooks as of 5-25-09 from Dell and Samsung.

    5With a 3-cell battery.

    6Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change
without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller
prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All
offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter
product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.