Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC
Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC Review
Novatech’s Ion Fusion is the first desktop PC which has been built on Intel’s Atom 330 processor. Features that make this system unique are Intel Atom 330, 1GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM, 160GB hard disk, DVD writer, Intel GMA 950 graphics, and 1year warranty.
Look wise this system may not be the best but it does serves your purpose by taking care of all your computing needs.
Design
Entire frame of Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC looks simple. The CPU case is wrapped in two thick chrome bands engrossed in a black polish. The system is coated with piano-black colour with silver strip running across the front panel containing the power button. This gives the system classy look.
Peripherals like keyboard and mouse do not have a trendy finish. But the two buttons of the Logitech mouse operates with a positive click and glides along smoothly on four small Teflon feet and four-way rubberised scroll-wheel. This generic mouse brushed in matte black and very well matches with the colour of monitor and PC.
The black keyboard is not the special one either. It does not come with any media shortcuts or other special keys. Even wrist-rest is not provided which makes typing somewhat difficult and uncomfortable. But the keyboard layout is uncomplicated.
Setting up the 19-inch monitor for Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop Computer is a straightforward matter. Just click the stand’s neck into its round base and start it. However its styling is simplistic and matches with the rest of the unit. Controls laid on the monitor are its fancy blue-backlit power button, variety of presets, basic aspect ratio controls.
The CPU is designed to fit in ample ports. To start with it has two USB ports and a pair of audio jacks is located at the front side are joined by an eSATA port. At the rear panel you will find four more USB ports, parallel and serial ports, VGA, a D-SUB socket and two PS2 ports. Even parallel and nine-pin serial ports are provided. Also three 3.5mm audio jacks are created for outputting analogue 5.1-channel surround sound.
Overall the connectivity is more or less outdated, but convenient enough to hook up your computer to any peripherals.
Features
The most talked about feature of this Novatech Desktop PC is its Intel Atom 330 processor which runs at 1.6GHz aids in maintaining steady performance in this system. But other features are also worth mentioning. Such as impressive 160 hard drive, Intel GMA 950 Graphics card, DVD writer, 1GB DDR2 RAM works at 667MHz, 1,440 x 900 anti-glare finish LG Flatron W1934S monitor; D-SUB, 6 x USB ports, eSATA, Gigabit Ethernet port, parallel port, serial port, preassembled Logitech keyboard and mouse, Windows XP Home Edition operating system.
The width, depth, and height of this system are 268 x 318 x 77mm respectively.
The DVD writer that comes fitted with the system lets you install software from disc, watch movies from the DVD, back up your files. Its 160GB hard disk will provide ample space for office documents as well as enough room for accommodating photos and albums.
The Ion Fusion has a good selection of ports for a nettop. There are six USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet. However there is no wireless networking. The best part of this desktop PC is it is bundled with pretty much everything you need to get started: monitor, peripherals and CPU unit. The only disadvantage is that there is no optical drive. But it does makes up by offering smaller, and quieter desktop PC.
Inside the PC
As you unlock the system you can pretty much see all the CPU components. With Ion Fusion CPU unit is now better organised. DIMM socket is no longer hidden rather it is visible the moment you open up the CPU case. Even optical drive and hard drive are tucked in such a way that they are more accessible to the user. Unlike previous Novatech’s system this CPU unit has spread out its components in such a way so that they are not only easy to replace but simple to upgrade.
The CPU also constitutes 1GB preinstalled Single Channel DDR2 RAM works at 667MHz. The RAM can be expanded max to 2GB Ram. However, there are no extra slots allocated for upgrading your real time access unless you have move out an existing chip. But such tiny power is only good enough for gentle multitasking, such as web browsing, word processing and MP3 encoding, but adding dual-core Atom definitely makes this machine twice faster in performance than other nettops.
At the heart of the system resides Intel D945GCLF2D motherboard. It is based on the less clunky 945GC Express Chipset. Opening up the motherboard unit reveals PCI slot, which is quite unusable since the case is devoid of any bracket at the back end to match the slot unlike the original Ion. Also there is barely any room to fit in memory card reader.
The difference between Ion and its successor such as Fusion is that it comprises of dual-core version of the Intel Atom 330 processor. The processor runs at 1.6GHz. It also houses an L2 cache of 1MB which doubles the size of cache found in most of the Atom range. But it runs only at 1.6GHz. But the 330 is the only dual-core Atom which not only has double cores but also includes twice the cache of any other Atom.
The permanent storage is provided by 160GB SATAII Hard Drive. The hard drive is a 3.5-inch and quite easy to replace.
Performance
Performance wise Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop Computer PC is faster than any other contemporary nettops available. The processors are efficient enough to multitask and this is possible due to optimised dual-core Atom 330 processor. It performs smoothly even when you are video encoding, downloading movies, and editing large word documents. The processor can efficiently manage multi-tasking scenario running multiple video streams, word editing and browsing internet all at once without any problems.
Apart from power and performance the system is effective enough to handle day-to-day office jobs and administrative tasks, such as generating reports and invoices, composing e-mails. Even with rigorous multitasking the system quietly does its job. In spite of all the qualities the system does comes with some pitfalls.
The monitor included with this desktop PC displays poor colour, mostly the tones which are from bright colour scheme. Improper colour balance makes the system unpopular among photo editors. However, there is barely any backlight bleed.
Even the quality of the image is average with poor greyscale gradation. But the viewing angles are good enough with sharp display of texts. However there is a tendency of ghosting, but that is pretty rare. Considering its configuration this PC is not ideal for game lovers. But games involving less power may work just fine.
Nevertheless, this desktop PC excels in terms of its energy usage. Even when it is running from a USB flash drive and optical drive plus video editing and internet streaming tasks running at the background the Ion Fusion never needs more than 46W. Surprisingly for everyday use it requires just 30W less than its 19-inch LCD monitor.
Ample storage space makes most of the user happy and so is its performance. 160GB hard drive allows you to organise all your personal and official materials at a single location. The system never gives any trouble even when you store entire stack of your family album. Roomy storage definitely helps you manage your resources all in one place eliminating the need to move around files to an external storage.
Though it is not loaded with wide variety of software but thankfully it comes preinstalled with Windows XP which supports pretty much each and every software applications. This unquestionably gives you the freedom to install any software products without worrying about the compatibility issue. Novatech Ion Fusion is best suited for someone who needs additional desktop PC at home or for the home office which requires the ability to expand and upgrade when required and offers steady performance.
You may also be interested in Novatech Ion Fusion Plus Review.
Technical Specification Details of Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC
| Manufacturer | Novatech |
| Model Name | Ion Fusion |
| Model Number | PC-1253 |
| Display screen size | 19-inch |
| Dimensions ( H x W x D) | 75 x 270 x 325mm |
| Hard drive Capacity | 160GB SATAII Hard Drive |
| Optical drive | 8X DVD±RW drive |
| Graphics hardware | Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics |
| Memory | Installed RAM: 2GB DDR2 RAM |
| Processor | Intel Atom 330 |
| Processor speed | 2 x 1.6GHz |
| Audio | 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio |
| Operating system | Windows XP Home Edition |
| Mouse | Logitech optical Mouse |
| Keyboard | Novatech PS2 Keyboard |
| I/O ports | 6 x Hi-Speed 2.0 USB 1 x Gigabit LAN port / 1 x 9 Pin Serial port / 1 x Parallel Port |
| Warranty | 12Months |
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