Introduction
With the introduction of HD content and internet video streaming, HTPCs (home theatre PC’s) are becoming more and more popular. Just a few years ago, the only way for you to get your hands on one was to build one yourself by using regular computer components and cramming them into a tiny case. Since then many companies have attempted to revolutionize they way we think about HTPCs. The ION-TOP PC is Jetway’s attempt at what an HTPC should look like. The ION-TOP incorporates nVidia’s newest chipset with integrated graphics – the ION and Intel’s dual core Atom processor, the 330. What will come of this powerful combination? Take a look at why we are excited about the nVidia ION, this is what we saw at CES 2009:
Specifications
| Model No | JBC230C63P-330-B/W |
| Motherboard Specification | |
| CPU | Intel® Atom Dual-Core 330 CPU (45nm, FSB 533MHz, 1.6GHz, 1MB L2) |
| Chipset | NVIDIA MCP7A-ION single chipsetFSB 533MHz |
| Memory | 2 * 240-pin DIMM Slot Support DDR2 667/800 Dual Channel DIMM slots (up to 4 GB) |
| VGA | NVIDIA ION Graphics Processor (GeForce 9400M capable) |
| LAN | 1 * Realtek RTL8111DL PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet |
| Audio | Realtek 7.1 Channel HD Audio CODEC with SPDIF out |
| Storage | 4 * Serial ATA2 3Gb/s connectors |
| USB | Embedded 10 * USB 2.0/1.1 |
| BIOS | AMI 8MB Flash ROM |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX Form Factor, M/B 170 x 170mm |
| Barebone Specification | |
| Product size | 210(W) x 258(D) x 65(H)mm |
| Specs Exposed | 1 x Slim ODD Drive Bay1 x 2.5” HDD Drive Bay (Only support SATA 2.5” HDD) |
| Colors | Black / White Color |
| Cooling Fan | Side: 6cm Fan SLEEVE x 1 |
| Front I/O Port | 2 x USB 2.0 & 1 x SD/MS card reader & CIR |
| Rear I/O Port | 6 * USB 2.0/1.1 ports1 * PS2 Keyboard / Mouse combined connector1 * RJ-45 ports1 * Audio I/O ports with S/PDIF out1 * VGA port & 1 * DVI-D port & 1 * HDMI port1 * Parallel port1 * 12V DC in connector & 2 * WiFi Antenna holes |
| Power supply | 100W DC-DC Power Converter |
| Expansion Slots | mini PCI Express x1 Slot |
| Standard Accessory |
|
| Functional | Set Top Box, Thin Client, Carputer, Smart Mini PC, POS/POI, KIOSK, HTPC |
| Packing | Color Box Dimension：417(W) x 137(D) x 296(H)mm Gross Weight：3.65KG Net Weight：3.02KG |
| Certificate | CE,FCC For BareboneCE,FCC,TUV,UL,CCC,CB For Power Adapter |
The specifications show a couple of interesting aspects for this system. First is that this is not your standard netbook CPU, instead we have here a dual core Atom 330, secondly while there are physically 4 SATA ports there is only room internally for a single 2.5 inch SATA drive. This is of course due to the ION-TOp being targeted towards integration into a home theater setup as seen below:
Lastly we see that the ION-TOP uses nVidia’s LT version of the ION chipset, this could end up hurting performance in some areas, while saving consumers cash at the same time.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by MatthewHomanTWL: Review: Jet-Way ION-TOP HTPC – http://www.techwarelabs.com/jet-way-ion-top-htpc/…