NVIDIA netbook is Firefly

The previously promised NVIDIA netbook, which spawned a prototype built by Mobinnova, will be called the Firefly, according to a recent SemiAccurate report. The nettop will reportedly be powered by the Tegra chip that is also being used in Microsoft's Zune HD, and unnamed netbook manufactuers claim a September launch date. The Tegra chip itself is already known to be delayed beyond NVIDIA's own 2008 timeframe, however, and has cast doubts on the new timeframe.

Some of the delays have been rumored to involve excessive heat production, and the claimed 150mW power consumption at full speed operation has been sometimes considered suspect; the Tegra APX 2500/2600 is capable of relatively advanced 3D in a handheld size and can output 720p video at full speed, either of which could potentially spike its heat output and power use.

Apart from the ARM chip, the Firefly is expected to run Windows CE and include Flash Lite, Acrobat Reader and a number of other applications. NVIDIA said in the past that Tegra chips would also run on Google's Android.

By Electronista Staff