Amidst a virtual faceoff between Intel and NVIDIA over what the ideology behind a ULPC should be, NVIDIA's Ion platform gains another taker, the Acer Hornet. NVIDIA's Ion platform consists of a ULV/ULPC processor made by Intel (soon VIA), paired with NVIDIA's MCP79-derived core-logic that bundles NVIDIA's powerful integrated graphics, system management, features and energy efficiency that the company claims to dwarf anything Intel has to offer as far as platform technologies go.

Acer Hornet builds on the basic Ion nettop design. It uses an Intel Atom processor, paired with NVIDIA chipset. The main unit is designed in a way that allows it to be placed on a desk with a stand, or mounted on any display panel that supports the VESA wall-mount standard. It is expected to use a single-core or dual-core Intel Atom processor. It's MCP79-derived chipset features a GeForce 9400-class IGP that can provide smooth HD video playback, and also some light-gaming thrown in. Furthermore, it supports a certain motion-sensing game controller that lets you play certain Wii-style games. The same controller can be used as a pointing device (what Acer calls "air-mouse"), and also a media center remote control. We will know more in the weeks to come. Head over to DonanimHaber for more pictures.

With the state of the world economy, conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for good sales of ULPCs, with several IT giants taking netbooks and nettops seriously. The surge started post Intel's introduction of the Atom processor. MSI is preparing a slim form-factor nettop that is fan-less and light enough to be mounted on the back of an LCD monitor that supports the VESA wall-mount standard.

The WindBOX measures 180 x 255 x 19 mm and weighs a little over two pounds (1.08 kg to be precise). It is driven by an Intel Atom running at 1.60 GHz, and features 1GB of memory. It supports a SATA drive to handle storage, and provides basic connectivity that includes: 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, a 3-in-1 memory card reader, audio and WiFi. The WindBOX will be available later this quarter.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has approved version 1.1 of the DisplayPort interface standard for use in new designs of flat panel displays, projectors, PCs and CE devices. DisplayPort 1.1 gives manufacturers of LCD panels, monitors, graphics cards, PC chipsets, projectors, peripherals, components, and consumer electronics a next generation digital interface that is designed to replace LVDS, DVI, and eventually VGA. DisplayPort 1.1 adds support for High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) version 1.3. HDCP support enables viewing of protected content from Blu-ray and HD-DVD optical media over DisplayPort 1.1 connections. Significant advantages over DVI and VGA include a small USB-sized connector with available latching, two-way display connectivity, optional audio support, higher performance than dual link DVI at 10.8 Gigabits per second, and a unique micro-packet architecture that enables new display features. Available throughout the industry as a free to use, open and extensible standard, DisplayPort is expected to accelerate adoption of secure digital outputs on PCs, enable higher levels of display performance, and introduce high volume digital displays that are simpler, thinner, and easier to use than VGA.