If we're to believe the latest Apple rumors, some of the company's low-end hardware, specifically the Mac mini and Apple TV, will be making the transition to systems based on NVIDIA's Ion platform for their next refreshes. Ion, if you remember, is a design standard for systems using NVIDIA graphics chips alongside an Intel Atom processor. Apparently Apple's had its hands on some Ion development hardware for quite a while now, so if it does come through with Ion-based systems, they may be the first of their kind available.

How is this hardware change going to affect the Apple gear? Well, that seems to be the big cause for contention at the moment, with some arguing that using only an Atom processor in the mini would make for an underpowered system, and others balking at the need for advanced graphics processing in the Apple TV, which can already handle HD video. One of the interesting positions being taken is that this new Ion-based system would bridge the gap between the two, creating some sort of nettop-like computer designed to be attached to a TV and used mainly for media playback.

Right now, we just don't know. Based on Apple's interest in the hardware, and allegations of at least some kind of Atom system coming from insider sources, it seems likely that there's something in the works, but it's just too nebulous to say what new product is in store. Some have even suggested that this could be the start of a super low-cost Mac for developing markets, but that doesn't sound like the kind of product Apple's used to releasing. We'll just have to wait and see.

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