The Ion platform from nVIDIA, developed for netbooks and nettops, is valid alternative in a world were Intel seems to rule.

For the first model of its low-cost platform, Intel has relied on an outdated chipset, certainly worth it when it comes to income but not so adapted to the platform’s philosophy: acceptable performnaces with a low energy consumption. And in this market range, the consumption is a major factor.

Nvidia has definitely done better and aimed also towards other features such as the high-defininition content playing and the possibility of playing games, even though with low quality and “simple” games. In order to answer to that, Intel has decided to speed the process and point on the Pine Trail-M platform, which will see an Atom processor in the PineView-M (both single and dual core) with integrated graphic chips and memory controllers.

Would that be the “checkmate” to nVIDIA? Upon a first glance, some would say yes. But the real thing is that nVIDIA isn’t just looking, and it will fight hard. In fact, the company has the intention of presenting the Ion 2, a 40nm platform, expected to be launched by the end of the year.

We’ll have to wait and see how the things go once both platforms are launched.